Swords

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March 21, 2013

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Month XX, 2012 Swords • Balbriggan • Applewood • boroimhe • Airside • Rivervalley

INSIDE: Georgian Dublin goes to town with bustling, colourful street carnival P6

top cats: Cute kittens are seeking Your help to find the right names See Page 8

Didn’t they do well: Enterprising teenagers shine Rugby:

Cantwell hails Ireland’s Grand Slam women Page 32

young entrepreneurs from Colaiste Choilm and runners up in the Intermediate category with their entry, Crash Pack Ireland, with Joe Harford, chairperson, Fingal County Enterprise Board, at the Fingal Student Enterprise Awards which were held recently in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown.

Picture: Kim Haughton

See Story on Page 4

Swimming:

Murphy looking to the future after Olympics Page 30

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES.......................6 DUBLIN LIFE....................11 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................27

Roadworks round the corner to completion Council confirms Lissenhall roundabout to be ready by early April

 Natalie Burke

The long-awaited completion date for the roadworks at the Lissenhall roundabout is finally in sight.

Fingal County Council

has this week confirmed the completion date will be as soon as the end of March or beginning of April. The latest news will bring substantial relief to motorists who have had to endure traffic conges-

tion since the beginning of the works in January 2012.

Cllr Darragh Butler (FF) welcomed the news saying it will be of “great relief” to many motorists and will ensure a safer commute.

“I really look forward to this project being completed in time for the summer season and it will be a great relief for Donabate and Portrane residents,” he said.

Full Story on Page 2

2 swords gazette 21 March 2013

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The long-awaited completion of roadworks should bring substantial relief to motorists who have had to endure major traffic congestion since the beginning of the works

Lissenhall roundabout works near completion

The long-awaited completion date for the roadworks at the Lissenhall roundabout is finally in sight.

Fingal County Council has this week confirmed that the completion date for the roadworks will be as soon as the end of March or beginning of April.

It will bring substantial relief to motorists who have had to endure major traffic congestion since the beginning of the works in January 2012.

Cllr Darragh Butler (FF) welcomed the news saying it will be of “great relief” to many motorists

 natalie burke nburke@gazettegroup.com

and will ensure a safer commute.

“I really look forward to this project being completed in time for the summer season and it will be a great relief for Donabate and Portrane residents,” he said.

“Hopefully it will be a lot safer as well.

There were a few people reporting some traffic accidents to me and

cars coming around the roundabout not knowing who had the right of way so hopefully it will be a lot safer and a lot smoother for people.”

The original December 2012 target completion date was delayed due to additional works to be carried out with respect to drainage issues.

“I think a lot of the work was happening underground so I think the residents were wondering was it really on target. I’m told now that the underground work is completed and we should start seeing the over ground work being completed.”

At a recent council meeting, the council said that considerable progress was made to the works over the last month, mainly due to dr y weather and the contractor completing the installation of the last sections of the cycle tracks and footpaths.

In a statement, the council said the contractor was currently working on building traffic islands and kerbing at the junction to Hearse Road.

“The contractor is planning to complete all works at Lissenhall by the end of March provided the weather is

not too cold to prohibit the laying of macadam,” the statement read.

According to the council, the visual appearance of the junction should take on a finished look over the next few weeks, as all the temporary barriers will be removed and the junction will be opened to all final traffic movements.

The works at Lissenhall consisted of upgrading the junction to provide extra capacity for various movements, with underpasses constructed to maintain existing cycle/pedestrian traffic capacity.

Over 3% of council housing stock boarded up A total of 145 dwellings have been boarded up and secured across Fingal, the county council has confirmed.

Representing just over 3% of the council’s total housing stock, the boarded up houses are at varying stages of the pre-let

repairs process and are broken down by area.

Figures released at a recent council meeting show that 12 dwellings are boarded and secured in the Howth/Malahide area, while there are a total of 30 dwellings secured in Swords and

60 in Balbriggan. The remainder are situated in the Blanchardstown region.

With the average turnaround time for properties countywide being 35 weeks, the council said that during 2012, a total of 557 properties were allo-

cated by the council’s housing department.

The council said they are currently focusing their resources on the turnaround of void properties for re-letting and “every effort is being made” to allocate void stock as quickly as possible.

21 March 2013 swords gazette 3

rolestown

arts council: three organisations set to benefit from funding

Notice of area plan session

€115,500 boost for creative projects  natalie burke

Literature, traditional art and creative projects across north County Dublin are set to benefit from funding of up to €115,500 this year, after the Arts Council announced plans for investment.

T he Ar ts Council, the government agency for developing the arts, announced this week plans to invest a total of €115,500 in three organisations based across the north Dublin area which have a proven track record of delivering great arts experiences for people.

The funding comes through the Arts Council’s three main annual grants programmes.

The three organisations chosen to receive are Dedalus Press in Baldoyle, Coisceim / Cosanic Teoranta in Howth and The Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre in Naul.

The Dedalus Press in Baldoyle, one of Ireland’s longest running literary publishers, specialising in contemporary Irish poetry and poetry from around the world, will be awarded €80,000 in funding, while Coisceim / Cosanic Teoranta, a dance company in Howth, will receive €8,000.

The Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre will receive funding of €27,500.

Following the announcement, the chairman of the arts council, Pat Moylan, said: “We

are delighted to be able to continue supporting and developing the arts across north County Dublin.

For over 60 years the arts council has been at the forefront of developing and promoting the arts and even with reduced funding, continues to build a central place for the arts in Irish life.

“Despite the fact that funding to the arts has been cut by around 30% since 2008, we recognise that the work of the Arts Council produces an important social dividend that positively impacts on the quality of life of citizens across the country.

The arts play a vital role in our economy, especially in job creation and tourism,” she said.

Campaign: YOUR help is needed as Rape crisis centre launch appeal for support the dublin Rape Crisis Centre has launched the new YOUR cam-

paign, appealing for women to support it at the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon, to help provide counselling and therapy services as well as maintain a 24-hour national helpline for those who have been affected by rape and childhood sexual abuse. Pictured are RTE’s Claire Byrne (second left) with GAA stars from Dublin’s Ladies team: Natalia Hyland (Ballyboden St Enda’s), Sinead Goldrick (Foxrock/ Cabinteely) and Sinead Finnegan (Fingallians).

An information session on the draft Rolestown Local Area Plan (LAP) will be held by Fingal County Council on Thursday, March 21 from 4pm until 8pm.

The session will be held in the community hall during which representatives from the council will be available to answer queries and accept written submissions from members of the community.

The consultation period for making submissions is from Febr uar y 19, 2013 until April 4, 2013. Details of the draft LAP is currently on display at the community hall and at council offices, and is also available at the FCC website; www.fingalcoco.ie.

4 swords gazette 21 March 2013

FastNews

schools

Annual county final is held

exhibition: Circle of Friends

Extra lighting sought for ‘very dark’ pathway

Artists launch spring show

Extra lighting could be installed at River Valley Park following concerns raised by a local representative. Fingal County Council recently confirmed plans to investigate the feasibility of providing lighting at the location as well as identifying suitable funding. This is after queries raised by Cllr Darragh Butler (FF) at an area committee meeting. He said the walk through River Valley Park towards the all-weather pitch is short but “very dark” in winter evenings.

Balbriggan Library to host ‘Comhra’ evening An Irish conversation group is to be hosted

by Balbriggan Library on the first Wednesday of each month. The Ciorcal Comhra will take place from 7-8pm and all levels of Irish speakers are welcome. For more information, contact the library on 01 8704401.

Young entrepreneur Sean O’Brien from Colaiste Choilm with a prototype from his winning enterprise in one hand and his award in the other. Pictures: Kim Haughton

Students shine at Enterprise Awards  Natalie Burke

Students from across Dublin North claimed a number of prizes at this year’s Fingal Enterprise Awards.

The 12th annual Fingal Student Enterprise Awards took place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown on March 12 where 18 secondary schools and six primary schools across Fingal took part in the annual county final.

In the secondar y schools competition, the Junior Category awards were announced by Tom Keogh from Keogh’s Crisps, Oldtown. The category was won by Comfort Crutch from Skerries

Community College while students from Colaiste Choilm in Swords were runners-up for their project Bookmarkers.

The Intermediate Category was won by Lyetech from Colaiste Choilm in Swords with Crash Pack, also from Colaiste Choilm in Swords, claiming the runner-up prize.

The Enterprising School Spirit Award for secondary schools, which was presented by the chief executive of the County Dublin VEC, Dr Marie Griffin, was awarded to St Joseph’s Secondary School from Rush.

Dr Griffin also presented the County Dublin VEC award for second-

ary schools to Balbriggan Community College.

Portmarnock Community College’s Surf Watch was presented with a special recognition award by Carmel O’Carroll, a Fingal-based entrepreneur and board member of Fingal County Enterprise Board.

Oisin Geoghegan, chief executive of Fingal County Enterprise Board, presented the Best Display Award for primary schools to PC10 Enter prises from St Oliver Plunkett’s School in Malahide. Speaking at the event, Geoghegan said: “The aim of the programme is to foster an entrepreneurial culture in our classrooms

and the programme has grown every year, to become the largest and most successful student enterprise programme in the country.”

Participating Dublin North secondary schools included Colaiste Choilm in Swords, Loreto Secondary School, Swords, St Fintan’s High School in Sutton, Sutton Park School, Portmarnock Community School, Skerries Community College, St Joseph’s Secondary School in Rush, Donabate Community College, Ardgillan Community College, Loreto Secondary School Balbriggan and Balbriggan Community College.

An art exhibition hosted by a Dublin North group of artists will be on display for the month of April at The Grange, Ballyboughal.

The Circle of Friends Art Group, which is made up of five artists hailing from Malahide, Swords, Rush and Balbriggan, will be launching their spring exhibition on Saturday, March 30 at 7pm.

Jacinta Eydan, Noel Fitzgerald, Karen O’Farrell, Diane O’Donohoe and Brenda Watson are the local artists who will display their work.

Sharing their passion for painting and having been together for almost a year, they paint in a variety of styles and mediums including oils, acrylics, mixed media and pen and ink.

The aim of the group is to promote the painters’ work and it is quickly growing from strength to strength.

Members of the public are invited along to the launch on March 30, or to view the art during the exhibition which will continue until April 30.

€1m to support youth cafe development  Natalie Burke

The young members of the Dublin North community are set to benefit from a recent announcement of funding worth €1 million. The funding was last week allocated in a nationwide effort to support the development of new youth cafes.

The announcement was made

by Minister for Children Frances

Fitzgerald (FG) who said: “The availability of these funds reinforce the government’s commitment to the extension of quality youth cafes throughout the country, in particular noting the repeated emphasis that young people have placed on the need for safe, alcohol-free recreational facilities.”

T he youth cafe funding scheme aims to promote the

structured development of new youth cafes around the country by giving support to local organisations and groups which are providing youth services.

Local Cllr Darragh Butler (FF) has said he welcomes the funding announcement and supports efforts to fund such services in the Dublin North area.

“Currently funding of up to

€1 million is available for fit-out, refurbishment works or building enhancement projects for the start up of new youth cafes. I would like to see as many applications as possible going in from Swords and Fingal,” he said.

The call for youth cafe funding will close for online applications on April 12, 2013. For more information see, www. dcya.gov.ie.

21 March 2013 swords gazette 5

competition Battle for Broadway about to begin

‘Fantastic’ acts raise funds for Chernobyl kids  Natalie Burke nburke@gazettegroup.com

A local charity is set to host an annual fundraiser this Easter weekend, with a Battle for Broadway competition being held in aid of Chernobyl.

The nor th Dublin Chernobyl Children International holds a fundraiser each year, with this year’s to be held in Kettles Country House Hotel, Swords.

Since forming in November 2009, the group have raised over

€60,000 to help children and families affected by the Chernobyl disaster.

This year’s fundraiser will see over 10 local acts take to the stage for the Battle for Broadway competition, and according to chairperson of the north Dublin CCI, Trina Gilchriest, the talent so far has been “fantastic”.

“We couldn’t believe the levels of the acts when we started auditioning.

There are entrants from the Moore School of Performing Arts based in Skerries, from Soul-

2Sole Dance Academy in Swords, the North County Gymnastics group in Rolestown and students from the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama,” she said.

“Money will be raised through ticket sales, a raffle and a voting system for your favourite act. All money raised will help pay travel costs for our group of children visiting in July as part of Adi Roche’s Chernobyl Children International. They will stay with host families for a month.”

The group will be raising funds to help families affected by the Chernobyl disaster

The funds are also hoped to go towards funding nursing care for Vesnova Orphanage, a place where Trina has seen the obvious need for care.

“When Adi and CCI stumbled across this orphanage accidentally 12 years ago, it was a horrendous place.

“Children were tied to radiators, were found on

urine soaked mattresses on the floor. Through the intervention of Adi, CCI and Irish volunteers, the whole orphanage has been revamped and is a fantastic facility.”

Fundraising is an ongoing process and Trina has thanked the group and host families for donating their time to the cause.

“Huge thanks also goes

out to the local community who are always so supportive.”

For anyone interested in fundraising or donating a prize for the upcoming Easter fundraiser, contact Trina on 0879969864 or email trinagilchriest@ hotmail.com.

Tickets are priced at €10 each and can be purchased from Kettles Country House Hotel.

council Warning to dog owners Owners of restricted breeds of dogs in Fingal are reminded to ensure their dog is muzzled and kept on a lead in public areas.

This is according to Fingal County Council (FCC) which recently reported that two such dogs were impounded in February after being unmuzzled in River Valley Park, Swords. Both dogs were reclaimed the following day.

The council confirmed that a dog warden visits the park on a regular basis. Nine visits have been recorded so far this year, with licence checks also carried out in February. Wardens have been requested to carry out weekly patrols in the Swords area on reports of dangerous dogs off leads.

6 swords gazette 21 March 2013

gazetteGALLERIES merrion square: bustling street carnival

Georgian Dublin bursts with colour T Shane Griffin, Kam Angulska, Emer Costello MEP (Lab) and Ifra Ahmed

he heart of Georgian Dublin was bursting with colour as street performances, theatrics, Irish language events, workshops, fun zones, music, open air shows and more were held as the SuperValu Big Day Out came to Merrion Square. There were treats in store for

all ages and tastes with the sights and sounds of a bustling, colourful street carnival. Highlights included Circa Rum Ba Ba’s Dress Circle - a lady in a giant, sumptuous dress whose skirt is full of theatrical surprises and inspiring aerialists paperdolls.

Empowering: Conference marks international women’s day 2013

A

CONFERENCE entitled Empowering Women was held on Saturday, March 9 at the European Parliament Office in Dublin to mark International Women’s Day 2013.

The conference was hosted by United Youth of Ireland and Emer Costello MEP (Lab). The speakers included leading women from entertainment, business, politics, youth and non-governmental organisations.

The conference celebrated the achievements women make on a daily basis despite the various challenges they face, and they encouraged them to continue to empower each other.

Sarah Johnson with The Hawk

Caoimhe Murphy from Navan Road

Susie Sollis and Darragh McGann

A fire eater wows the crowds

Justina Robinson

Maureen O’Halloran

Performers entertain the crowds

Alicia Ruminska, Emma English and Zainab Husseini. Pictures: Una Williams Julia and William Carry from Lucan

Dave and Jennifer Fairfax with Luke from Blessington

21 March 2013 swords gazette 7

Have you seen yourself in the Gazette? Buy photos online from only â‚Ź6.99 at www.gazettephotos.com

Senan and Dualta Larkin with Anthony Hobbs from Glasnevin enjoying the SuperValu Big Day Out at Merrion Square where street performers entertained the crowds. Pictures: Corporate PR

Alyssa Pokorny and Meagan Conforth with The Hawk, mascot from the Spruce Creek Jazzband, Florida

8 swords gazette 21 March 2013

balbriggan County Dublin VEC has agreed to co-fund community project

Sports hall will be a ‘boost for the entire town’  natalie burke nburke@gazettegroup.com

A new sports hall set to be built at Balbriggan Community College will be a “boost for the entire town”, according to local TD Brendan Ryan (Lab).

The TD for Dublin North

last week welcomed the news that the County Dublin VEC (Vocational Education Committee) has agreed to co-fund the provision of an enhanced sports hall at Balbriggan Community College.

Deputy Ryan said he was “delighted” to learn of the cofunding investment by Minis-

ter for Education, Ruari Quinn (Lab), and sees it as a benefit to the whole Balbriggan community.

“I first contacted the Minister for Education back in September 2012 seeking his intervention to allow co-funding for this much-needed facility to go ahead. The project

required an extra €300,000 in order to deliver this sports hall to Balbriggan. The release of the funding was mired in departmental red tape. On behalf of the school and the Balbriggan Community I had numerous contacts with the interested stakeholders including Minister Quinn, the

CDVEC and Fingal County Council and I am delighted to have been informed by the Minister for Education that the release of the required funds was granted.”

While the facility will benefit the pupils of Balbriggan Community College during the day, Deputy Ryan says it

Cute cub: But don’t mess with mum!

FastNews

Road safety measures

Plans to ensure road safety measures are put in place at the entrance to a Swords housing estate will go ahead, according to Fingal County Council (FCC).

The council said it is currently investigating the requirement for traffic calming and additional road safety measures at Holywell Dale housing estate and that following discussions, the developer has agreed to undertake the works.

At a recent council meeting, FCC stated that the council’s transportation department is currently examining the proposal and, following agreement on the extent of the traffic calming and other road safety measures required, the works will commence.

Coping with ADHD course Fingal Leader Partnership will be hosting a Coping with ADHD – Support for Parents and Carers of Children with ADHD course this April and May. The six-week course will help the families of those with ADHD, looking at ways of improving communication and dealing with problems.

For more information, call 01 8020484 or email Kmoreland@ fingalleaderpartnership.ie.

will also benefit the wider Balbriggan community outside school hours. “Balbriggan has grown at a great rate in the last decade and needs improved community facilities. It was vital that the Department of Education released this funding for the town of Balbriggan,” he said.

A FEmale Jaguarundi keeps a protective eye over her eight-weekold cubs in their new surroundings at Tayto Park.

The Jaguarundi mother and cubs can be viewed for the first time this Easter and Tayto Park are looking for two names for the newest arrivals to the park.

For more see www. taytopark.ie

courts: head coach is remanded on bail until sentencing

Boxing official may be jailed for headbutting ‘best friend’ A HIGH ranking boxing official has been told he will likely be jailed for headbutting a man after an amateur exhibition bout.

Ciaran O’Neill (37), who is involved at a “very high level” in the Irish Amateur Boxing Association, assaulted his former best friend outside the pub which hosted the series of fights between Welsh and Irish boxers.

O’Neill, who is also the head coach at Balbriggan’s Bracken Boxing Club, was one of the main organisers of the

event. His defence counsel said he was held in very high regard in the boxing community and that people were “queuing up” to give character references.

Several testimonials were handed in, including one from Olympic gold medal winning boxer Michael Carruth and another stating that O’Neill’s actions were “out of character”.

O’Neill has six previous convictions including three for assault, one for intimidating a witness and one for making threats.

Judge Mary Ellen Ring commented that in light of his previous convictions, the attack did not seem very “out of character”. She remanded O’Neill on bail until sentencing next week but indicated that prison is the likely option.

She said that he had been treated leniently by the other courts and that the alternatives have not worked.

O’Neill of Chieftain’s Drive, Balbriggan pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to Derek Gildea at the

Milestone Bar in Balbriggan on January 29, 2010.

Garda Ciara Mannion told prosecuting counsel James Dwyer BL that Gildea was attending the exhibition match upstairs in the pub when O’Neill approached him and told him he wasn’t welcome, that he was barred and that he should “f*** off”.

Gildea responded that he had a right to be there and had paid in. The door staff stepped in and said Gildea was entitled to stay.

There were several other exchanges between

them before the end of the night when Mr Gildea went outside. A group of people including O’Neill were about to go to another pub and O’Neill told Mr Gildea that he wasn’t welcome to join them.

He then approached the victim and headbutted him, leaving him with a black eye and a broken plate in his dentures.

There was a further scuffle during which the victim was punched.

O’Neill was arrested and said in interview that he used to be friends with Derek Gildea but would

not say what caused their falling out.

Defence counsel John Byrne BL said the pair used to be best friends and would spar together in the boxing club before Gildea quit.

Counsel said O’Neill refereed boxing at a national and international level and was also involved in helping troubled youths and members of the Travelling community through the sport.

He added that he had €1,500 as compensation and that the victim is prepared to accept this.

21 March 2013 swords gazette 9

conservation Cherry blossom planted at entrance

Montessori helps restore Werburgh’s well  natalie burke nburke@gazettegroup.com

A GROUP of children from a Swords-based Montessori school have played their part in restoring a popular local well and helping to revive the surrounding area.

To celebrate National Tree Week, which took place this year from March 3 to 10, a group of children from Smart Angels Montessori in B o r o i m h e , Swo r d s , and their parents, came

together to plant a cherry blossom tree at the entrance to St Werburgh’s Well in Crowcastle, Swords.

The celebration follows the very recent restoration of the popular and significant well, which was demolished sometime after 2005. In 2012, a group of dedicated local residents from the surrounding community came together and made the decision to rescue the well from the rubble and concrete it lay under, and with some

hard work and dedication, were able to restore the well and make it a popular and beautiful place to visit once more.

Carmel Diviney, manager at Smart Angels Montessori, is just one of a team of local people who have taken it on themselves to maintain the well following its restoration. Following the recent tree planting, she is encouraging the local community to pay a visit to the site.

“The more visitors the well receives, the

Children from Smart Angels Montessori who planted a cherry blossom tree near St Werburgh’s Well

more it will help to ensure its protection,” she explained. “I would encourage you to go, say a prayer, leave an offering or just sit and relax in this quiet space and enjoy.”

According to Diviney, the housing estate of Holywell situated close

by, takes its name from St Werburgh’s Well, which, she also explains, is a well that was once associated with being the cure for disorders of the eyes. This is according to writer Gary Branigan, author of the recently acclaimed Ancient and Holy Wells of Dublin.

“I am really encouraging members of the local Swords community to visit the well and help support its restoration. It is located within a copse of trees in the green field site opposite the offices on Lakeshore Drive, at the rear of Airside Retail Park,” she said.

programme Foster carers sought A unique foster care programme, Timewise Fostering, is seeking foster carers to help young people across Dublin North turn their lives around.

Celebrating its fifth year of providing services to children, Timewise Fostering is the first programme of its kind in Ireland and helps young people aged 11 to 18 years.

“We are asking people who have the time to help the lives of these young people and improve their future, to give us a call to find out more about becoming a foster carer or respite foster carer,” said Catherine Bond, senior manager at Timewise Fostering.

For more information, see www.timewisefostering.ie or call 01-8424525.

10 swords gazette 21 March 2013

gazetteGALLERY

Have you seen yourself in the Gazette? Buy photos online from only €6.99 at www.gazettephotos.com

This cheque presentation from December 2012 was part of the last set that Peter took for The Gazette

Then Minister Mary Hanafin - with Oscar winner Sean Penn in the background

Even farmyard animals were put at ease by Peter Doyle

Remembering the work of Peter Doyle

T

HE sudden passing of our staff photographer Peter Doyle shocked and saddened every employee here in The Gazette.

Peter was a hugely popular member of our team, both inside the office and out.

His ease with people, and animals,

meant that he could get public figures to drop their guard, allowing Gazette readers a unique insight.

Peter had a unique eye as a photographer, which was born of his real interest in, and affection for, people.

Where others had their cameras focused straight ahead, Peter

was always looking around him for a different take on events.

With that in mind, we decided to honour Peter by sharing our favourite pictures, taken from a selection of literally thousands.

That eye, his sense of humour and his friendship will be sorely missed.

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern with son-in-law Nicky Byrne leaving the US ambassador’s residence on July 4 – as always, nobody ever refused Peter

Peter created unique photo opportunities, such as snapping Capturing the bustle of an election count in 2009

former Justice Minister Brian Lenihan in a holding cell

A soldier watches the coffin of Brian Lenihan

21 March 2013 Gazette 11

diet coke milestone P14

asdfsdaf irish cancer societyP27 P15

dublinlife

Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week, as well as the latest from our schools

Emerald isle: dublin airport shines for visitors

Ireland’s green welcome for St Patrick’s weekend AN UNUSUAL sight greeted a quarter of a million people last weekend as Dublin Airport went green.

Passengers coming to Dublin Airport by ground and air saw Terminals 1, 2, the Old Terminal building and many other prominent buildings around the airport campus lit up in green for the St Patrick’s Day weekend.

The buildings were

bathed in green light every evening for six days to celebrate St Patrick’s Day and The Gathering 2013.

“We are thrilled to be participating in the greening of Dublin Airport,” said DAA spokesperson Siobhán Moore. “[It] created a real wow factor at the airport and the greening of Terminal 2 was visible from the M1 and the M50.”

Meanwhile, more than

225,000 passengers travelled through Dublin Airport over the course of the bank holiday weekend from Friday, March 15 to Monday, March 18, which is a 6% increase on last year.

Monday, March 18 was the busiest day of the weekend, with more than 82,000 passengers passing through the airport.

“Dublin Airport [provided] a selection of musical entertainment

for passengers over the holiday including choirs, traditional Irish groups and local schools so that we could extend a true cead mile failte to all visitors over the bank holiday weekend,” added Siobhan.

Both terminals were also decked with nearly 11,000 balloons and reams of bunting, which were designed to create a festive atmosphere around both terminals.

Dublin Airport was lit up for the St Patrick’s Day weekend

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Gain Pet Food and Barretstown are calling on all dog owners to dress up their pooches and help break the world record for the most dogs in fancy dress on April 28. Pictured are Aislinn Flanagan (8) with Ivannii, the pug. Picture Andres Poveda/Jason Clarke Photography

Doll up your dog GAIN Pet Food in association with Barretstown is calling on dog owners to help break the world record for the most dogs in fancy dress this April.

T he world record attempt will take place on April 28 at T he National Show Centre (near Dublin Airport), with celebrity judge Katie Taylor on hand to find the “mutt with the greatest strut”. Promising to be a fantastic day out for all the family, as well as your four-legged furry friend, all money raised will be going to Barretstown, a charity which aims to rebuild the lives of children affected by serious illness and their families.

There will be some fantastic prizes for the best dogs in costume, free veterinary and nutritional advice, agility and obedience classes, free entertainment and free goodie bags for you and

your canine companion.

For more information or to register for the event, visit www. gainfeeds.com or email gainworldrecord@glanbia.ie.

FRANCO-IRISH LITERARY TREAT THIS APRIL A Franco-Irish Literary Festival gets under way this April at two venues on Kildare Street: Alliance Francaise and The National Library of Ireland.

The free festival is organised by the Alliance Francaise Dublin and the Cultural and Scientific Service of the French Embassy with the intention of inviting Irish and French writers to come together.

This year, in the context of the Irish Presidency of the European Union, the festival will also have several authors from European countries taking part.

French writers partaking include Bernard du Boucheron and Patrick Deville and among the Irish writers will be Dermot Bolger and Anne Haverty.

The Franco-Irish Literary Festival runs from April 19 until 21 at both venues and admission is free. Go to francoirishliteraryfestival.com to find out more.

GOING FOR GOLD WITH THE LINDT BUNNY FOLLOWING on from the success of last year’s Easter auction, the Lindt Gold Bunny Auction is returning and is set to get fans fighting for the limited edition gold-plated Lindt bunnies signed by well-known Irish and international celebrities on the Lindt Chocolate Ireland Facebook page.

All proceeds from the Lindt Gold Bunny Auction will be donated

directly to Temple Street Children’s Hospital and all final bid winners not only get to take home their signed Lindt Gold Bunny, but also a Lindt Gold Bunny hamper worth over €100.

Celebrities who have hopped on board to sign the bunnies include The Script, Chris O’Dowd, Robbie Williams, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Radcliffe, Emeli Sande, Katie Taylor and Mumford & Sons, to name just a few.

The auction is currently open for bids and will close on Monday, March 25 at 3pm. To bid, log onto www.facebook. com/lindtchocolateireland or visit www.lindtgoldbunny.ie.

CALLING ALL MODEL TOY COLLECTORS CALLING all toy model collectors, check out the latest collections at the annual toy/model col-

lector’s fair in Bray.

This event will showcase a host of toys from yesterday and will be a toy collector’s dream day out.

Buy, sell, swap, source, restore or just chat about hundreds of toy models.

There is also a free valuation advice service being offered.

As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another’s treasure, and that is definitely something collectors will be thinking of this year.

The event is being hosted by the Collectors’Association, which was established in 1968. Admission is €1 with proceeds going to the Alzheimer Society.

This event takes place on Sunday, March 24 from 10am until 3pm at the Bray Wheelers Clubhouse, Schools Road. For directions see www.braywheelers.com. For more information, call Des Cooney on 4576751 or Sean Ryan on 2851308.

21 March 2013 Gazette 13

One City One Book: exploring dublin’s history

Horticulture taster day

Strumpet City: epic reminder of 1913  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

Strumpet City by James Plunkett is this year’s choice for One City One Book.

The initiative was set up in 2006 to encourage people in Dublin to read a chosen book connected with the city throughout the month of April.

One City One Book is run by Dublin City Public Libraries and Dublin UNESCO City of Literature which is a dedicated office set up in 2010 to promote Dublin as a literary destination

and to promote reading in the capital. The 2013 choice, the historical novel Strumpet City, was written in 1969 by James Plunkett.

It is set in Dublin at the time of the 1913 Lock Out, so its selection in the year of the Lock Out’s centenary is a timely reminder of our past.

Naoise O Muiri, the Lord Mayor of Dublin (FG) said: “As well as being arguably the greatest Irish historical novel, it provides a literary portal through which Dubliners can explore the history

of their city. It is a novel which will undoubtedly raise many discussions and I encourage you to participate in those discussions throughout the extensive One City One Book programme this April.”

Strumpet City traces the lives of a dozen characters as they are swept up in the tumultuous events surrounding an industrial dispute as workers fought for their right to unionise between 1907 and 1914.

Plunkett was born in 1920 in Dublin’s inner

city and his father was a member of Jim Larkin’s Irish Transport and General Workers’ Union (ITGWU) which had a huge impact on the young writer. The novel was adapted into a very successful television drama series by RTE in 1980 and had such acting luminaries as Peter O’Toole playing the role of union leader Jim Larkin, Cyril Cusack, David Kelly and Donal McCann. RTE’s dramatisation of the book was, at the time, the biggest money-spinner the station had ever pro-

Gazette

FEATURE

Author James Plunkett has depicted a pivotal event in Irish social history

duced, and was sold to more than 30 countries.

One City One Book’s publishing partner is Gill and Macmillan, which have a new edition of Strumpet City out now to

celebrate the centenary of the Lock Out. It contains an introduction by Fintan O’Toole outlining the book’s current relevance today and costs €9.99.

THE Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture at the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, will hold an open afternoon on Thursday, March 21, from 2pm to 4pm for potential students and parents.

The college provides the widest range of horticultural training in the country, offering courses from levels four to eight on the National Framework of Qualifications.

With student facilities currently being expanded and upgraded for the 2013 intake of students, the Teagasc College boasts entire grounds and vast plant collections alongside its classrooms.

For more information, log on to www.teagasc. ie/botanicgardens.

Gazette

14 Gazette 21 March 2013

dublinlife

Offset Festival set to return to Dublin  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

The Offset Festival is taking place this April in Dublin, and is being hailed as three days of the most creative design talent in the world gathered in one place.

The best of the world’s illustrations, sculpture, murals, magazines, picture books and music videos will be involved this year.

A total of 24 speakers at the cutting edge of design will be involved with the Offset Festival, such as Sarah Illinberger, Niamh Sharkey and Jonathan McHugh, who started out as a scenic artist creating giant

murals on construction sites across Europe.

Another award winner lined up for Offset is Canadian Calef Brown, an author/illustrator who has written many children’s books. His illustrations have popped up in Time, Newsweek, Rolling Stone and The New Yorker.

Since its inception in Dublin in 2009, Offset has become one of the world’s most important creative events. The festival runs at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre from April 5 to 7. Tickets, which are available from Ticketmaster, cost €70 for a day and €195 for the whole festival.

anniversary: model ‘really proud’ to be chosen

Refreshing change for Diet Coke’s milestone  Natalie Burke

THERE aren’t too many women in the country who can forget “that” Diet Coke ad which graced our screens in the 1990s.

But for anyone who missed it, or is feeling a little nostalgic, the good news is that a brand new ad will be taking over our 11.30am breaks, complete with a brand new hunk, Diet Coke’s words – not ours!

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the brand in Europe, Diet Coke has chosen the toned torso of male model Andrew Cooper to help recreate a modern version of the memorable TV ad.

Cooper is appearing on the advertisement as a gardener, joining the ranks of other roles the infamous Diet Coke hunk has taken on over the years, which included a construction worker, a window cleaner and a delivery man.

Chatting to the Gazette during a recent promotional visit to Dublin, model Cooper says he is “really proud” to have been chosen as the brand’s latest hunk.

“It’s amazing to be fronting the campaign.

They hadn’t casted in so long and it was a really big thing for them I think to try and recreate what they had back with Lucky Vanous, the builder and the girls in the office. So yeah, I’m really proud and obviously really happy to be part of the 30 years of Diet Coke,” he said.

Following in the footsteps of the hunks that have gone before him, Cooper says he doesn’t feel under pressure to keep up the good name.

Model Andrew Cooper is Diet Coke’s brand new “hunk”

“I never really do to be honest. All you can do is do your best and be good at your job.”

The 32-year-old, who hails from Manchester, may be the centre of attention when it comes to his day job, but at home he lives a normal life with a wife, two kids and a pet shop.

“Between me and my wife, we have a shop in Notting Hill [called The Mutz Nutz] where we do grooming and all that. I have my fingers in many pies!”

Having modelled since the age of 16, Cooper has starred in many large campaigns, including a L’Oreal commercial with Claudia Schiffer. However with all the female

attention on this latest campaign, Cooper says his wife is very supportive.

“I’ve been working in this business for a long time and she is totally understanding and very supporting. We’ve been together so long and she really loves the ad. My kids like it too and it gets quite a lot of replays in the house!

Positive

“I’ve had a really positive reaction from the whole campaign. It took off like a rocket and I wasn’t really expecting that. Even the person who works in the local coffee shop was giving me a bit of stick but it has all been good!”

Making appearances

across Dublin last week, Cooper says it’s his third time to visit.

“I love it; it’s one of my favourite cities. It’s definitely – when I say favourite – got a lot to do with eating and drinking,” he said.

Despite his last comment, Cooper says eating healthy is key to staying in shape.

“I’m generally a pretty healthy person in terms of what I eat – I’m not a chocolate lover so I don’t really watch what I eat, but I’m really active.”

Diet Coke is celebrating its big milestone by giving away a Marc Jacobs leather pouch every 30 minutes. For more information, log onto www. cokezone.ie.

21 March 2013 Gazette 15

Gazette

FEATURES

Irish Cancer Society marks 50 years’ service  laura webb

The chief executive of the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) continues to be humbled by the generosity of the Irish public who have supported the charity over the last 50 years.

This year marks a great milestone for the ICS, which offers a range of services to people affected by cancer.

On March 22, volunteers will be out in force selling daffodils for Daffodil Day. Speaking to the Gazette, ICS chief executive John McCormack thanked supporters of the charity. “We have managed to grow from strength to strength in

50 years thanks to the continued support of the Irish people.

“I am humbled by the support received during these tough times. We know people have been affected by the recession and they are hurting financially… but yet they continue to stand by the ISC.” Asked why he think’s that is, he said it’s because people understand it is a charity that is making a difference to people affected by cancer. “The funds go towards free patient care services, which are delivered to people, in many cases, in their own homes. For example, over 2,000 families were helped last year

with the ICS night nursing service and they provided over 7,000 nights of care to families.

“We are also the largest voluntary funders of cancer research in Ireland.

The enemy of cancer is good cancer research, finding out more about the cancer cell, so that we can discover better therapies to deal with cancer.”

The patient literature in hospitals is also provided by the cancer society and it explains the often confusing terminology doctors use.

“Often when people hear the words, you have cancer, what is said to them for the next three quarters of an hour is forgotten, they are numb at the

thought of a life changing diagnosis of cancer and it is afterwards, when they go home that they look at the lCS literature, or go on our website or phone the national cancer helpline 1800 200 700,” John explained.

“They can speak to one of our helpline nurses, who are all oncology trained. They can answer the questions people have… and they hold people’s hand through

this journey.”

Daffodil Day, now in its 26th year, takes place on March 22 and accounts for 15% of their fundraising.

“The daffodil is a symbol of hope. Hope is something people going through cancer look for, it’s a sign that says I am going to get through this,” he added.

Support ICS this March 22, see www.cancer.ie for further information.

Siofra O’Sullivan (5) from Bayside with Sebastian Reilly (3) from Donnybrook and Kyra Downey (3) from Bayside pictured helping mark the beginning of the Irish Cancer Society’s 50th year

Gazette

16 Gazette 21 March 2013

dublinlife

Pamela Cullen, Paul Hennessy, Orlagh Kilbride and Bindu Nai of Abbott

Abbott ranked as one of Ireland’s Best Workplaces 2013 Abbott, the global health care company, has been recognised as one of Ireland’s Best Workplaces for the progressive work practices and innovative employee programmes in place at Abbott facilities around the country.

Two Abbott sites in West Dublin were part of the ranking achieved at the Best Workplaces Awards 2013, including Abbott Medical Optics in Liffey Valley and the company’s commercial operation, Abbott Laboratories Ireland Ltd, Citywest, which was presented with a Laureate in recognition of 10 years’ consistent ranking in Ireland’s annual Best Workplaces list.

The awards were hosted by the Great Place to Work Institute at a gala dinner in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin last week.

Abbott is one of the largest healthcare companies in Ireland, with a diverse range of operations spanning manufacturing, commercial and shared services around the country, however, it applies a universal approach to maintaining excellence in the recruitment and retention of employees. Six Abbott facilities, spanning five business divisions, collaborated on this year’s Best Workplaces entry including; Abbott Medical Optics, Liffey Valley Dublin and Westport; Abbott Established Products Division, Santry, Dublin; Abbott Laboratories Ireland Ltd, CityWest Dublin; Abbott Diagnostics, Longford and Abbott Ireland Pharmaceutical Operations

Sligo, now trading as AbbVie. Margaret Morrissey, country HR director, Abbott, accepted the award on the company’s behalf. “We are delighted to receive this recognition from the Great Place to Work Institute. We are an innovation-led company that maintains our competitive advantage by exploring and maximising opportunities in all aspects of our business. We are only able to do this through our talented and engaged employees, who are our greatest asset.

“We are committed to providing a high-trust environment, and fostering open, transparent and direct relationships with all our employees.

This means that as a company we can continue to innovate and best serve patients with products that improve lives. Being named one of Ireland’s Best Workplaces is a welcome acknowledgment of our commitment to progressive work practices and providing learning and development opportunities for each employee.”

Examples of some of the progressive initiatives in place at Abbott include the Live Life Well initiative, which inspires, engages and empowers employees to embrace a holistic approach to their physical and mental wellbeing. Also Ideas into Action is an initiative which enables employees to identify opportunities for improvement across a number of categories including culture, cost savings, environment, knowledge and process improvements.

business

Ten steps to financial freedom A fool and his money, as the saying goes, are soon parted (although I prefer James Van Den Bosch’s quip that “a fool and his money are some party”), but fools aren’t the only ones afflicted this way. Many highly intelligent people find themselves with financial problems, too.

This is because your IQ has absolutely nothing to do with how well you manage your money. What is considerably more relevant is your attitude to the stuff and your timing. If you want to survive (and prosper) during the current economic recession you need to focus on your personal finances. If you shudder at the thought, remember as I have said before that the only boring thing about money is not having enough of it.

One other point before we consider how to transform your finances in 10 easy steps. If you run a business, what holds for your personal finances, holds for your corporate finances, too.

Step one. Get a plan, Stan (apologies to Paul Simon ) If you want to transform your finances the first thing you need is a sound financial plan. Set short, medium and long-term goals. These might be such things as “pay off all my debts” or “sort out my retirement.” You can’t go forward until you know what you want to achieve.

Step two. Stop digging.

You can’t get out of a hole if you keep digging. If you have a financial problem – such as debt – then stop doing anything that might be making it worse.

Step three. Be patient.

It is difficult to get rich quick, but very easy to do if you take it slowly. By the same token, you won’t solve any financial problem by being in a hurry.

Step four. Work out a budget.

Budgeting has nothing to do with self-denial - it is simply about making a plan for how you will spend your money over a specific period. Start by working out your current position. Calculate your income and expenditure over a typical year (breaking it down month by month). Then draw up a list of your assets and liabilities.

Step five. Waste will seriously damage your wealth.

For years, my children would roll their eyes when I went round the house switching off lights or complained when they were talking on the telephone for too long.

Eventually, they were persuaded that what I was doing was worthwhile when I offered them a percentage of any utility bill savings we could make as a family. Now, more than ever, you need to cut out all waste.

More next week!  Contact John with your money questions at jlowe@moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor

enterprise ireland: Government at showcase

California trip boost for start-up businesses Enterprise Ireland took part in a High Potential Start-up Showcase for Irish business this month in Silicon Valley in California opened by Minister for Small Business John Perry last week.

Minister Perry announced that 1,600 jobs would be created in start-up businesses in Ireland this year.

The start-ups in question number 97 and have received financial support throughout 2012 from Enterprise Ireland. The minister said that €300 million in sales would be generated by these companies in Ireland within the next three years.

The companies featured come from a wide range of sectors including

key technological areas that have been targeted by the government for growth in the last year.

These include: financial services, ICT, games, pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

The showcase also included 60 early stage entrepreneurs supported by the Enterprise Ireland Competitive Start Fund and representatives from the 2012 New Frontiers Entrepreneur Development Programme.

Greg Treston, Enterprise Ireland Head of High Potential Start-ups and Scaling, said: “Enterprise Ireland has continued to introduce new initiatives to provide the right support at the right time, at all stages along

Sam Nayagam, 10n2 Technologies, David Byrne, Enterprise Ireland, and Sean Corbett, Adaptive HVM who were at the showcase

the start-up journey.”

At the Enterprise Ireland Potential Start-ups Showcase, Minister Perry said: “The Government’s Action Plan for Jobs places innovative entrepreneurs and businesses right at the heart of the drive to accelerate jobs growth and economic prosperity. Ambitious, export-focused projects like those featured today and supported by Enterprise Ire-

land, are central to this, and will play a critical part in achieving the levels of growth and employment that we need.

“During the last two years, this government has delivered a series of measures aimed at putting the best supports in place and creating the right business environment so that indigenous companies can grow their businesses.”

21 March 2013 Gazette 17

motoring P22

asdfsdaf P27 TRAVEl P24

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



Gazette

style P19

Pets can you give fabulous fender a new home?

A trip to the museum gives an insight into the great history of Dublin

Little Museum of Dublin: free educational classes prove popular

A novel history lesson

 Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

The Little Museum of Dublin is running a new children’s education programme at their premises on Stephen’s Green to introduce children to the history and culture of Dublin.

A series of free classes for school children called I Love Dublin has been up and running for about a month now and is proving very popular among secondary and primary schools in the city.

The Gazette spoke to the museum’s director, Trevor White, about the new initiative.

“The I Love Dublin classes are based on the civics and history of Dublin and they were established to

promote a greater awareness of Dublin’s great history and culture among the young with a view to encouraging a strong sense of civic pride in them. A law firm called Matheson has agreed to fund the classes for the next three years, which is great.”

The classes are overseen by museum staff along with the school’s own teachers. Students are welcomed to the museum by either the director or curator who give a 10-minute talk before conducting a short tour of the museum for 15 to 30 minutes during which the class considers the question of why Dublin is so loved.

Following this there is a 15-minute treasure hunt, in which students explore the museum and complete worksheets.

Next there is a class discussion on why Dublin is loved and the best answer by a student is filmed and put on the museum’s website.

The class then interviews an older Dubliner about what life in the city was like many years ago when they were the same age as the students.

Trevor went on to talk about the novel approach being taken with the I Love Dublin classes, to get the children more excited about Dublin’s heritage.

“We have an extensive range of classes on offer for primary and post primary school students.

“Usually a school will come along with several different classes, all visiting at the same time, so different methods work with the different age

groups.

“Because the collection is drawn from the people of Dublin, who have all donated the artefacts on display, the items themselves tell the story of Dublin in the 20th century. It offers an unusual angle by which the children can approach the city’s history.

There is a lot of holding of the objects and a lot of enjoyable activities in the classes. We didn’t want the classes to be dry and so are determined to keep changing them all the time so that the children get a real buzz out of them.”

Anyone interested in organising a trip to the museum should register online at http://www.littlemuseum. ie/visit-the-museum/i-love-dublinclasses

The Gazette Newspaper Group has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week is fabulous Fender, a two-and-a-halfyear-old male whippet cross.

As well as being one handsome hound, this boy is also one happy chappy.

With bundles of energy and a real zest for life, he would be most suited to an active home with kids over 14 years – where he can get plenty of walks and most importantly lots of attention!

This eager-to-please, clever clogs knows sit, down and heel and would love the opportunity to attend training and socialisation classes where he can learn many more commands.

If you think you could give this super guy the loving forever home he so deserves then please contact Dogs Trust on 01-879 1000.

They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50.

Map and directions can be found on their website www.dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/ dogstrustireland or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE.

GAZETTE

18 GAZETTE 21 March 2013

OUT&ABOUT Paisly patterned trousers €22.99 RRP €89

Bright stripe shift dress €39.99 RRP €265

Blue Floral print dress €22.99

Spring/Summer sneak peak THERE’S nothing like the feeling you get when you see designer clothes at affordable prices, and that’s the feeling everyone gets when they visit TK Maxx.

This week, Gazette Style takes a sneak preview of what’s on offer at the store this spring/summer.

It has all the biggest trends coming

straight from the catwalk including: graphic prints, sports luxe, 1960s mod, spring florals and monochrome patterns. Buyers deal directly with designers, so they get the latest trends at a fraction of the price, some with up to 60% off the original RRP. So get happy, and start shopping!

Black & white peplum dress €39.99 RRP €179.99

TK Maxx Coral top €12.99 Multi print blazer €39.99

TK Maxx Black and white stripe leggings €9.99

Black and white stripe midi dress €39.99

21 March 2013 GAZETTE 19

 LAURA WEBB style@gazettegroup.com

WAV E g o o d b y e t o smudged pedicures and say hello to a quick fiveminute treatment that allows you to pop your shoes on straight afterwards without the use of a UV or LED lamp.

Jessica Nails has developed a revolutionary new gel pedicure that goes on in five minutes with no lamp needed to cure, and what’s more, it lasts for up to four weeks, just like gel nails.

Jessica Fusion takes between five to 10 minutes to complete, so it can be easily done during a lunch-break.

O ve r 2 0 0 b e a u t y salons nationwide are already stocking this product, which is available through French Cosmetics, a one-stop shop for professional beauty products based in Trim, which caters for over 1,500 beauty salons in Ireland.

“The joy of this, and it’s why it’s exploded, with lots of beauty editors contacting us about it, is that you don’t need a lamp to cure it, and people do find that cumbersome to do.

All you do is buff the nail, file and buff it, it’s for toenails only. You apply a primer, which sets it, then the colour, then primer, colour and primer and that’s it. It sets straight away and it takes just five minutes



Sarah Beirne, sales and marketing manager, French Cosmetics, Glenda Gilson, Ken Boylan and Tara Collier, national trainer, French Cosmetics at the launch of Jessica Fusion in Ken Boylan’s salon recently

to do it and the client can put their shoes on straight away,” Sarah Beirne of French Cosmetics explained.

“Currently, there are six colours in the range, with a further 10 coming out in the next two weeks. The colours are lovely and vibrant. Jessica is always innovating new colours and new ideas. She would have been the person who invented the French manicure.

“What is great about this product is it’s so quick to do, people don’t have time to wait. You want to get your toenails done perfectly and done maybe during your

lunch break and this is done in 5 to 10 minutes and you’re out the door.

“We launched it in Ken Boylan’s recently and invited some celebrities, bloggers a nd beauty editors to try it for themselves, to see what they think. It was well received, a lot of

them were worried about putting their shoes on, but they could.

“We have been out the door with queries since then, which is great,” she added.

Jessica’s Fusion is set to completely revolutionise the gel market in

Ireland and is already huge in LA with celebrities including Demi Moore, Rihanna, Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Lopez, to name a few.

To find out for yourself just how revolutionary it is, take a trip to Ken Boylan’s make-up studio on Drury Street where you can have Jessica Fusion applied for the reasonable price of €18.

The product is only available in participating beauty salons. To find a salon near you, or to find out details on stocking Jessica Fusion, contact sarah@frenchcosmet ics.ie

Don’t forget to send in your style question for our Style Q&A with Littlewoods Ireland Ambassador, Caroline Morahan. The Star Question will win €50 voucher for Littlewoods Ireland. Email style@gazettegroup.com The next Q&A is out March 28.

GAZETTE

Goodbye smudged pedicures, hello Fusion

STYLE

BEAUTY news Be camera-ready with Neutrogena

BE camera ready, and get up close and confident in your skin, thanks to Neutrogena’s new Visibly Clear Pore and Shine skincare products.

Neutrogena says this new generation of skincare solution tackles two major skin concerns at once: pores and shine.

During research, the team at Neutrogena found that 84% of women feel that large pores and shiny skin can make it hard to achieve a flawless complexion, leaving women feeling self-conscious about their skin.

Meanwhile, scientific research has also shown that large pores are linked with the excess sebum levels that cause shine.

To help tackle this problem, Neutrogena formulated Visibly Clear Pore and Shine, designed to give you more flawless skin and help achieve closeup confidence. The Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pore and Shine Daily Scrub (€5.58) has a double action for tightened pores and mattified skin, providing a flawless-looking complexion.

The range also includes the Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pore and Shine Daily Wash (€5.58). A unique facial wash visibly mattifies the skin and unclogs pores. Available at stockists nationwide.

A natural finish with Teint Visionnaire WHAT do we want in our foundation?

Coverage? Yes. A natural finish? Of course! And skincare efficacy? Yes, please! Well, that’s what Lancome’s newest foundation is offering.

Teint Visionnaire comes in a compact bottle that has a very clever lid compartment with easy to work highcoverage concealer and a mirror to help achieve coverage when on the go.

The fluid foundation is lightweight and easy to apply. It also evens out skin’s wrinkles or fine lines and gives a great natural finish.

What’s also great about this new product is it works with the skin to improve skin quality within four weeks.

Teint Visionnaire (RRP €45) is available in 18 different tones. See Lancome counters for further information.

Gazette

20 gazette 21 March 2013

OUT&ABOUT

CINEMA

Theatre

THE pavilioN THEATRE 01 231 2929 An Audience with Sir Jonathan Miller

SIR Jonathan has enjoyed one of the most stellar careers in modern theatre and opera with several classic productions to his credit.

A fully qualified physician he has become a very high-profile television personality and public intellectual.

This is a fantastic opportunity for audiences to see, listen and ask questions of one of the most prolific broadcasters, directors and thinkers of our time.

March 18-23, tickets are priced at €20/€17.

Draiocht 01 885 2622 Battle of the Bands

AFTER a successful first year, Miniature Jack will be hosting a second local Battle of the Bands and it promises to be as good as the last!

This heat will showcase some of our local, young talent with performances from Carmine, Ryan Bhasker and The Tracks. March 22, tickets are priced at €8.

Mill THEATRE Dundrum 01 296 9340 Female of the Species

FEMALE of the Species is more deadly than the male…. A fascinating study of the female species, with some hilarious discoveries. Catch the show on March 22 and 23, tickets are priced at €20/€18.

Frank Langella marvels at how grown up Johnny Five has gotten

review: Frank langella and a robot prove a formidable duo

Brilliant, frankly THE Sundance seal of approval has been worn less easily in recent years, not so much a marker of quality, but a millstone around the necks of otherwise great films.

2011 Jury Prize winner Like Crazy sank without a trace, despite being one of the best relationship films of the millenium and Steve Coogan’s Hamlet 2, which sold for an eight-figure sum in 2008, grossed roughly half of its rights cost.

So, when you get notice that a movie that shared a win of the Alfred B Sloan Prize, which recognises films which deal with science and technology, is about to hit screens, it is understandable that there would be apprehension.

Especially when you consider that the stars are a 75-year-old character actor and a robot.

Film of the Week: Robot & Frank h h h h (12A) 89 mins Director: Jake Schreier Starring: Frank Langella, Susan Sarandon, Peter Sarsgaard, James Marsden, Liv Tyler

 Paul hosford phosford@gazettegroup.com

S o m e h o w, R o b o t & Frank director Jake Schreier manages to lift his film above all expectations.

Schreier, in his directorial debut, manages to keep what could easily turn into a 1980s’ buddy-comedy on a straight track while also making the near-future setting both novel and interesting.

When we meet Frank, he is a retired cat burglar and a near shut-in.

His kids (Tyler and Marsden) are worried about him in a way that guilty offspring are prone to be.

Rather than put their father in fulltime care,

OUR VERDICT:

BEAUTIFULLY shot, warmly written and expertly acted, this is a slice of indie heaven. Langella leads the line brilliantly, with his Frank warm enough to allow the viewer to see past his obvious flaws.

Marsden and Tyler also excel in their roles as Frank’s put-upon children and Sarandon sparkles as a love interest. But this a buddy film dominated by two best friends: Robot and Frank

Marsden’s Tyler decides that a robot companion is just what his father needs to improve his health.

T he robot, voiced

by Peter Sarsgaard, looks like it could have stepped off the stage at a Japanese tech show and actually feels like a human character.

Much of that is down to Peter Sarsgaard, whose voice work as Robot is warm and empathetic.

Sarsgaard is an excellent actor, one who just doesn’t get enough good roles, but his work here helps create a dynamic

with Langella which would otherwise be difficult to capture.

Langella, of course, deserves huge credit for this too.

Here he is in sparkling form, making you rue the fact that an eminently talented screen actor would eschew the medium for the vast majority of his career.

Oscar-nominated in 2008 for his portrayal of Richard Nixon in Frost/Nixon, Langella has performed just four live-action roles since.

He has been primarily a stage actor for the majority of his 50-year

career and it is apparent that the stage’s gain has been screen’s loss.

Here, with Frank slipping further into dementia, Langella makes him a sy mpathetic man, albeit one who is planning to steal millions of dollars of jewels.

As his relationship with the local librarian (Susan Sarandon) blossoms, Frank shows a more tender side to his personality, while a twist at the end really brings the light feelings to the ground with a heavy bump.

O ve r a l l , S c h r e i e r deserves credit for keeping big issues (technology, mental deteroration) from dominating what is really a very good story, free of moralising or pontificating.

But, at the end of the day, this is Langella’s film and he steals it thoroughly. Pardon the pun.

21 March 2013 GAZETTE 21

GAZETTE

GAMING SIM CITY: SOME IN-BUILT PROBLEMS

It’s not quite a towering achievement AT THE time of writing, legions of would-be city planners are still marching through the (virtual) streets of their carefully planned cities, ready to wave burning torches and chair legs in the general direction of games developer Maxis, and games publisher/developer Electronic Arts.

But first, we need to step back just a little bit, to the very recent release of the long-awaited PC and Mac title, Sim City – the latest in a long line of Sim City games, and the one that created the most press, too.

As the name suggests, Sim City is a city simulation game where, as a blend of mayor, architect, planner and, well, God, you strive to create a large, happy, functioning city, working on everything from tax rates to sewage lines, deciding

 SHANE DILLON sdillon@gazettegroup.com

where residential zones should develop – oh, and are they well served by public transport, or are you setting up traffic jams for disgruntled citizens?

All this, and a thousand other questions and issues to sort out in your role as The Man. Sure, this may sound as deathly dull as porridge, but Sim City has always been an extremely popular series, for many years.

Perhaps the ability to enable or add disasters helps – there’s nothing like seeing a giant monster attacking Downtown to liven up your morning budget meeting.

BYTES&PIECES

PIRATES TO BRIDGE TWO PLATFORMS?

Next Assassin’s Creed sequel could usher in the PS4 IT’S been interesting to note the interest in the recently announced Assassin’s Creed 4, which seems set for release in October and, with its 1715 Caribbean setting (and pirates ahoy), splashes on the heels of the fairly-recent (and very pretty, but ever-soslightly dull) AC3.

However, what’s made the most impact is not that AC4 is on the way so soon, but that it also seems to be a dual-platform release, for both the PlayStation 3 and the PS4. This would be a very helpful benchmark to note the step-up in graphics, and capabilities, in the eagerly awaited console.

Traditionally presented with an elevated isometric view, the series has finally evolved to suit modern tastes, with a beautifully presented full 3D world to whirl around in, complete with intricately modelled buildings, fixtures and fittings, while those with powerful enough gaming rigs can enjoy some particularly great visual effects.

Apart from the colossal leap forward in graphics, a serious overhaul has also changed how the game functions, with proper computing of each citizen’s interests/feelings adding to the overall state of the city’s progress, rather than using fairly generic algorithms to guide gameplay.

So, in many ways, Maxis really delivered a terrific update for Sim City fans, as well as creating a more accessible title for newcomers.

Unfortunately, that’s where the good news stops, as a number of unwelcome points need to be highlighted.

Chief of these, and as a singularly unwelcome development, Sim City is now on online-only game (so as to monitor and exchange data with other players and cities).

No internet access: no game – not a ver y attractive or game-friendly option to buy into, but what has created a mob of irate gamers is the fact

If you want to build a greener version of Chongqing, flavoured with a dash of Seattle, you can – just be prepared to tinker with lots of under-the-bonnet settings (below) to help make your megapolis thrive

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that the game servers – and, by proxy, Maxis and EA – had greatly underestimated the amount of players that would be logging on.

The result: an almost unplayable game for the few who managed to log on and play to begin with, with players just as immobile as the teeny tiny cars and trucks stranded at a badly-designed intersection.

Caught by surprise, EA issued an apology and has been working to address the server/access issues, but it hasn’t stopped gamers venting their anger and frustration all over t’internet.

Indeed, things got so bad that, briefly, Sim City’s advertising was suspended, while some retailers,

including Amazon, also suspended sales.

These are not the kind of negative headlines and stories that any major new games release, or company, wants to see.

So, what now for Sim City?

After all that, some good news again – the servers issue is being addressed, with the company determined to get everyone playing, with more than enough capacity to address surges.

The occasional bugs, and pathfinding issues, are also being addressed, in a bid to help make your city a success.

If EA and Maxim can sort out these teething problems – and soon – Sim City should be a pretty cool place to visit ...

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22 Gazette 21 March 2013

Gazette

& OUT ABOUT road NOISE

MOTORS

review: multi-award winner will impress buyers with €15k price tag

Dacia Duster to be a smart buy in Irish SUV market n Cormac Curtis

Michael Grant Renault to sponsor DCU Fashion Show Michael Grant Renault in Dublin 4 is the title sponsor of the 2013 DCU Fashion Show which takes place at The Helix on March 26.

This year’s show, themed Power of Paradise, is organised by the DCU Style Society in association with Michael Grant Renault, and will tell the story of an evolving planet inspired by the expressive nature of fashion. The annual fashion extravaganza will showcase spring/summer 2013 collections from high street and vintage boutiques and will help raise awareness for Bodywhys, the eating disorders association of Ireland.

Renault’s new sexy range of cars including New Clio, New Mégane and New Fluence, will hit the catwalk on March 26 at The Helix.

Michael Grant is pictured on the red carpet catwalk with the New Renault Clio and models and designers from the DCU Style Society at the launch of the 2013 Fashion Show.

The new sleek Kia Carens to land in Ireland this May The new 2013 Kia Carens will go on sale in Ireland this coming May. Powered by the economical 1.7D engine that powers its Sportage stable mate the Carens comes in a choice of three trim levels ( TX, EX and Platinum ) with a starting price of just €26,490.Prices for other models will be announced closer to the launch date .

Standard equipment for the entry level Irish TX model includes alloy wheels, rear spoiler, LED daytime running lights, cornering lights, front and rear electric windows, luggage cargo screen, steering-mounted audio controls , and voice activated bluetooth.

With a sleek and sculpted design, the all-new Kia Carens marks a dramatic shift away from the more utilitarian look of its predecessor. It features a spacious five-plus-two seating layout, a generously proportioned luggage bay and numerous stowage spaces, and wraps this family-friendly adaptability in more purposeful sheet metal.

My wife of almost 12 years has an absolutely shocking ability to spot premium products.

We were once in an outlet shop where she started to eye up a display of leather purses and wallets. There were no prices marked anywhere – but the one she honed in on happened to be about $150 more expensive than the rest.

Let’s just say she can do the opposite of spot a bargain.

So, when I rolled home in the Dacia Duster recently, I was genuinely interested to see what she would make of this rare and unusual 4x4.

Unless you have been paying close attention to the motoring press or happen to know someone in the trade – there is ever y chance you have never even heard of the brand Dacia.

Believe it or not, the brand has been in existence since 1966, and started building Renault models under licence for the Eastern European and Russian market in 1968.

I n 19 9 9 , R e n a u l t finally bought the company, which have just been introduced to the Irish market, starting with the Duster.

So what can you expect?

I have already described the Duster as unusual, and, because it such a rare sight on Irish roads, it most certainly is.

But when you look at the price tag – just €14,990 – I’m certain

The Dacia Duster will be available in Ireland in both 4x2 and 4x4 guises with one diesel engine size

you will begin to take interest.

So what did my wife make of it?

I was expecting her to spot it as a low-cost model from the first look, but that didn’t happen.

Because the Duster does look the part.

Simple and functiontal, with just enough style to be easy on the eye.

That’s what you get.

T he Duster offers some serious room in its very straightforward interior – my two kids looked swallowed up in the rear seats.

I wouldn’t describe the interior of the Duster as special – it is functional.

Yo u c o u l d p r o b ably find enough space between some of the dashboard panels to fit the thin edge of a credit card, and I needed to

press the cabin light back into the roof with my thumb.

But so what? If you buy a new Dacia, you’ll have a warranty to cover any teething problems like this.

Dacia expect their cars to shake things up in Ireland – a lot.

And who could blame them?

At a time when prices seem to be climbing for almost everything else, Dacia brings a refreshing smart-buy concept to Ireland and is one of the most interesting motor stories of 2012.

The launch of Dacia Duster in Europe in 2010 saw such a demand from eager customers that resulted in a sixmonth waiting list for the much-anticipated vehicle in Germany and France.

The SUV segment is the fastest growing seg-

ment in Ireland and is up 9% YTD on 2011.

Almost 90% of vehicles in the SUV segment are over €22,500 to buy new or even over €24,500 to have the equivalent diesel engine for the best seller of the segment, so with that in mind, the Duster will quickly become a very attractive contender for those looking at buying a new SUV, a new family car or even a used car.

The multi-award winning Duster will impress buyers with its chunky and unpretentious styling, impressive and

versatile interior space, peerless build quality and unbeatable value for money.

The Duster will be available in Ireland in both 4x2 and 4x4 guises with one diesel engine size, a 1.5 dCi 110Bhp in Band B with two trims, Alternative 4x2 and Signature 4x2, 4x4, and comes with an up to five-year, unlimited mileage warranty.

The Dacia Duster will be available at the nine dedicated Dacia Dealers around the country.

Visit www.dacia.ie for more information.

21 March 2013 swords gazette 23

Gazette

MUSIC FASTtunes with Radio Nova’s Dee Woods

Lizzy legacy will go on despite name change Girls Aloud: A magnificent concert signalled the probable end of an era at the O2 arena last Saturday night

concert review: a lesson in the craft from the fab five

Girls’ pop perfection I have a confession to make. I love pop music.

I am, and will forever be, a complete sucker for a timeless melody and a killer chorus. The magic that is imbued into this form by the perfect synergy of songwriters, producers, designers, stylists and the artist themselves, is potent indeed.

To underestimate or blindly criticise pop is to miss the point entirely.

The accumulated output of the likes of Phil Spector, the writers of the Brill Building, Trevor Horn, Motown, and countless others throughout the years have the power to stop traffic and make you dance. It’s about emotion in motion, and reaches a part of the brain few other forms of music can.

 ROB heigh rheigh@gazettegroup.com

Therefore, it’s a bittersweet pleasure to have been able to attend what most are presuming will be the last ever Dublin show of the only genuine pop sensation of the last 10 years, Girls Aloud.

W hy are they so beloved? We connected with the girls, and still love them, because they were from an era before we were jaded beyond belief by television “talent” shows. Before there was X Factor, there was Popstars: The Rivals. It

produced One True Voice and Girls Aloud. Only one of these acts are on their tenth anniversary tour. The others are asking if you’d like to go large with that meal.

And what made them endure? GA were like real people, we related to them from the outset.

They were clumsy, a little awkward at times, making mistakes along the way, and that lack of polish made them endearing.

They took around five years to become the complete product, and their Tangled Up album in 2007 was their creative pinnacle – it remains a classic of the genre, electronic pop at its most effective.

And the show was, simply put, immaculate.

From five icons emerging

amid the fireworks atop a glittering Girls Aloud sign to their classy exit dressed in red gowns after their shout to the Wall Of Sound, The Promise, last Saturday night was a lesson in showgirlship and how to construct a great pop show, that simultaneously showcased their run of peerless pop singles and the immense ability of their producers, Xenomania.

Broken into four segments containing five of their classic songs (and one cover version, which ought to have been jettisoned in favour of the absent Long Hot Summer), it was a breathless and breathtaking exercise in how to do this kind of show just right. Ronan Keating was a few seats

away, no doubt furiously taking notes. I couldn’t see, I was too busy dancing.

T h e m i n d b l ow i n g opening quintet – Sound Of The Underground, No Good Advice, Life Got Cold, Wake Me Up and Jump – was just a taster of what was to follow.

Great pop songs sung well (very well by Nicola and Nadine, it must be said) and backed by a powerful and tight backing band, did complete justice to their legacy over the course of probably the best 90 minutes of pure pop the city will see this year.

As the stagelights faded and the glitter cannons blasted their last, so Girls Aloud shall remain – timeless and classic.

If you’re a hoarder like me, then you’ve the ticket stub of every concert you’ve been to on a wall or stuffed in a box somewhere, along with band memorabilia you’ve collected over the years.

And it’s times like this I’m glad I hang on to these things to remind me of memorable gigs... that my ailing memory struggles to recall, while my ear drums slowly deteriorate.

If you were one of the lucky few to see Thin Lizzy rock out The Olympia Theatre last December, I hope you kept your ticket because, as of this month, fans will never see the band members go by that name again.

The boys we’ve been calling Thin Lizzy, played their last gig under that moniker in Australia last weekend, supporting Kiss and Motley Crue.

Thin Lizzy drummer Brian Downey and keyboardist Darren Wharton are also parting ways with the band, so now members Ricky Warwick, Damon Johnson, Scott Gorham and Marco Mendoza, together with drummer Jimmy DeGrasso (of Alice Cooper and Megadeth fame) are now officially called Black Star Riders.

The Riders (whose name was inspired by Warwick’s favourite Western movie, Tombstone) say they changed their name “out of respect to the legacy of the late Phil Lynott”, although Lizzy fans can rest assured, the classic Lizzy hits will still be heard at their live gigs, alongside original material from the band.

Black Star Riders’ debut album, All Hell Breaks Loose, will be released here on May 27, with the album’s first single, Bound For Glory, is out now. The album’s produced by Kevin Shirley, who’s worked with the likes of Journey, Aerosmith and Rush, and the band are hinting they’ll play another Dublin gig before the end of the year. Don’t forget to keep your ticket!

Gazette

24 swords gazette 21 March 2013

OUT&ABOUT

adventure: Fun-packed holiday for We have 135,000* thrill seekers in adventureland readers each week *based on standard industry measurements

advertise your business to our readers

call 60 10 240

Awaken spirit of adventure up North

 natalie burke

WHILE adventure holidays usually conjure up faint images of climbing Mount Everest, exploring the Grand Canyon or hiking an Alpine Trail, often the travelling dream for a lot of us can remain just a fantasy. So who would have thought that we could enjoy an unforgettable and adrenaline pumping adventure weekend right here on our own doorstep?

Getting older, we have a tendency to lose the fearlessness we once had as a child. Suddenly strapping yourself into a roller-

coaster doesn’t seem quite so safe. But pushing your fear to the limit and challenging yourself with new adventures is one sure way to get your heart pumping and for me, on a recent trip to preview what is in store with this year’s Adventureland, it was one way of finding the child in me once again!

The North Coast is set to host a total of 34 different activity events this weekend, for the third year of Adventureland.

With everything from coasteering and sea safaris to paddle boarding and hovercrafting, Northern Ireland’s top events will be offered at a fraction of

the price for one weekend only.

Setting off from Dublin, it was County Derry that was in our sights as our first pitstop. Just two and a half hours from Dublin is The Jungle NI, an awardwinning outdoor entertainment facility located on a very successful farm diversity project in Moneymore – one of many in Northern Ireland we were to find out.

While paintballing, segways and clay-pigeon shooting were just some of the activities on the menu, it was the Tree Top adventure course we were there to try and attempt.

The first in Ireland, it’s

Xplore Outdoors offers various activities, including kayaking

Brace yourself for the zip line and various challenges

a high wire course with a bit of a difference. It has over 40 challenging obstacles to try and overcome, with rope bridges, wooden swings, scramble nets and tight-ropes, which all sound easy enough until you discover that some of these are located 70ft in the air.

It’s okay though, since you’re in safe hands and harnessed to safety wires throughout the forest, but it’s the fear of falling anyway that really makes this adventure all the more appealing! Highlights definitely included the Tarzan (or Jane) swing through the trees, a zipline and the freefall drop to safety.

On solid ground again, it was less than an hour’s drive until our next port of call at Portrush Harbour, County Antrim, where we were to take part in something a little closer to land. During the Adventureland weekend – and all through the year

– Xplore Outdoors provide sessions celebrating everything the Great Outdoors has to offer including coasteering, mountain skills, rockclimbing and sea kayaking. And despite the freezing temperatures and threatening rain, it was the latter we decided to brave.

Climbing into a wetsuit in the cold wind and rain wasn’t something I was used to doing, but as soon as we climbed into the kayaks and set about learning the ropes, so to speak, we were soon warmed up.

While the weather failed to allow us to sail the high seas, our tutor Steve Hodge, explained how on a good day, the sea kayaking adventure takes kayakers to explore the numerous sea caves gracing the Northern Ireland coastline, and to see famous landmarks including the Causeway, Carrick-a-rede rope bridge and Dunluce Cas-

21 March 2013 SWORDS gazette 25

at the The Jungle NI at Moneymore

tle from a slightly different perspective.

We stayed at the Ramada Hotel in Portrush, just five minutes from the harbour and at the very centre of the coastal town.

With over 70 en-suite rooms, ours overlooked the Atlantic Ocean, and the Counties Bar and Restaurant was buzzing with locals and tourists alike.

What better way to end an activity-filled day than to enjoy a well-deserved glass of wine, a delicious starter of tempura chicken satay and a steak covered in garlic and mushroom sauce? The fear was well worth the wait!

A visit to the nearby Harbour Bar is a must for visitors hoping for a good pint of Guinness at the oldest pub in Northern Ireland. Ask for barman Willy and he’ll be certain to look after you.

The following morning brought with it a scenic drive along the Coastal Causeway Route to Lima-

vady in Derry, the location of FoyleHov Hovercrafting.

Another farm diversity project, the farm has acres of land perfect for activities and features rage buggying, target archery and laser clay shooting along with the arrival of new born lambs. Kitted out in our boiler-suits, we took to the hovercrafting track with its hair-pin turns and water hazards and discovered talents we never knew we had! Our timed laps even managed to beat a certain Gary Lineker, a previous visitor to the farm.

With a total of 34 events taking place over the Adventureland week-

end, which takes place on March 23 and 24, all activity providers offer services throughout the year.

So for those in search of an extra thrill this summer, visit www.OutdoorNI.com or www.dis covernorthernireland. com.

websites  www.thejungleni.

com  www.xploreout

doors.co.uk  www.foylehov.com  www.ramadapor

trush.com  www.outdoorni.com  www.discover

northernireland.com

Gazette

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26 SWORDS GAZETTE 21 March 2013

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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

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Gazette

soccer P28

FastSport make some noise for katie:

Chloe Clarke, who appears with her sister, Ruby, in Three’s new advert showing the highs and lows of being an Ireland soccer fan

soccer: sandyford stars appear in new campaign to back the irish team

Superfans in focus as 3 pick local women to front new ads Two sisters from the south of Dublin have nabbed roles in the latest television advert for mobile phone provider Three, sponsor of the Irish football team, in recognition of their huge support for the Republic’s international soccer stars.

Chloe and Ruby Clarke who reside in Sandyford and hail from Knocklyon have their own careers to reflect on, with both southside sisters having played for Templeogue United for nine years.

The advert, entitled An Ode To Fans, features members of Ireland’s largest football supporters club, You Boys in

Green, who were approached to make sure that genuine fans would be the stars of the ad.

As genuine fans go, Chloe is certainly entitled to that title, having attended her first match with her dad at the age of seven, when her Dad took the family to Malta when Ireland were playing.

Since then, she has been to every home game, as well as a couple of away games every year.

As a committed fan, emigrating was not even an issue, as Chloe explains.

“I missed a couple of matches when

I was in Australia, which was hard. But I watched as many games as I could on television as possible, although most of the games were on at 4am.”

Chloe flew home from Australia for the European championships last year, going to Posnan and Gdansk for Ireland’s matches, which was a memorable experience: “It was incredible. It was worth all the money in the world. Just going to the airport, kitted from head to toe in green. Everything is left behind, all you care about is the match. Everyone is backing each other up and support-

ing the team, and the adrenaline and the buzz can’t be gotten anywhere else.”

As for being involved in the advert, Chloe said: “It was really enjoyable, I’ve never done anything like it. Just watching it now, I’m getting goosebumps ahead of the Sweden game. The ad captures what it is like to be a fan – especially the sleeping in the airport scene!”

The advert arrives just in time for the World Cup qualifying matches against Sweden and Austria on March 22 and 26, and can be seen on Three’s Facebook page.

Katie Taylor is hoping that Irish fans can raise the roof like they did in London’s Docklands Arena at the Olympics in 2012 when she takes to the ring in Dublin and Castlebar this weekend.

Promoter Brian Peters believes fans will make some noise for their heroine.

“The Bord Gais Energy Theatre certainly lived up to its name last month,” said Peters. “We’re going to measure the decibels to see how they compare to the Olympics.”

Tickets for Taylor’s bout in Dublin tomorrow (Friday, March 22) are priced from €40, with discounted tickets available for Under 14s from €25 and are available from the BGET box office and Ticketmaster.

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

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

Gazette

28 SWORDS Gazette 21 March 2013

SPORT

FastSport gaa stars unite to BEAT racism: Local GAA stars Barry Cahill and Cliona O’Connor were on hand to help launch a new education pack aimed at tackling racism in sports organisations and schools.

The education pack, which has been developed by anti-racism charity Show Racism the Red Card, was launched at Croke Park, and coordinator Garrett Mullan spoke about the influence sport can have on addressing the issue.

“Sports stars are well placed to tackle racism and set a positive example of integration. The beauty of sport is it unites people from all walks of life. It breaks down barriers. Our new education pack draws on this, and uses sport as a means of teaching young people about racism and related issues.”

Further information is available at www.theredcard.ie.

international: side packed with local talent exceed expectations

Ireland make grade in Cyprus  sport@gazettegroup.com

The Republic of Ireland senior women’s team, featuring an array of Gazette Sport talent, finished the Cyprus Cup tournament in eighth place, an impressive and accomplished achievement for the team after topping their group in the opening stages.

Going in as the side ranked tenth in the invitational tournament, the Irish women defeated Northern Ireland 5-1 and South Africa 2-0 in the group stages, drawing with world number 16 side, South Korea, in their group closer.

South Korea are ranked 18 places higher in the FIFA World Rankings.

Ireland went out to Finland, ranked 19th in the world and preparing for their third successive

appearance at the European Championship finals, who scored the only goal of the game through Sanna Talonen after 20 minutes .

Speaking after the team arrived home last week, captain Emma Byrne, who originally hails from Leixlip and who plays her club soccer with Arsenal, was delighted with how the team had performed against higher-ranked opposition.

“It was brilliant,” said Byrne. “Although we were very disappointed to lose to Finland and felt we should have beaten them, it was still a great week and has probably given Sue [Ronan, Ireland coach] a few selection headaches.

“I was a bit apprehensive beforehand, especially as we were missing

so many big-hitters like Fiona O’Sullivan, Sophie Perry and Ciara Grant, but the young players who came in were really good and ever ybody gelled together so well,” said Byrne.

The goalkeeper found herself thrown in at the deep end as Sue Ronan was forced through injuries, withdrawals and retirements to name an inexperienced squad with six uncapped players and only six with 20 or more caps, and was proud of the side’s achievement, though disappointed with the way they exited the tournament.

“The game against South Korea was a great test and we did very well against a good side but we didn’t play as well as we can against Finland and we gave away a

Ireland captain and goalkeeper, Emma Byrne, pictured here in yellow in the back row, was pleased with the side’s performance in Cyprus

sloppy goal so that was disappointing because I felt we were the better team.”

Byrne was named as team captain ahead of the tournament in succession to Arsenal teammate Ciara Grant who decided to retire from international football at the age of 34 after a record 105 appearances.

Although Byrne captained the team in the

US last December, this was her first outing since being given the armband permanently and she admitted she enjoyed the role up to a point.

“I love the pitch part of the job, leading the team out, doing the toss and being like a motherfigure to the other players. I didn’t like having to know all the times of things we were doing or choosing what to wear at each. I think I’ll have

to delegate that bit next time,” quipped Byrne who admitted that she looking forward to leading the team out at Tallaght on June 18 when Ireland plays Austria.

“That will be a brilliant moment to lead the team out in front of my family and friends,” said Byrne.

The team’s next game will be on Tuesday, June 18, against Austria at Tallaght Stadium.

Leinster referees get masterclass from elite Fresh from refereeing the recent Six Nations clash with France at the Aviva Stadium, International Rugby Board (IRB) elite panel referees Steve Walsh from New Zealand and England’s Wayne Barnes and Greg Garner took time out to take part in a refereeing workshop, hosted by Emirates Airline, at Old Wesley RFC. Thirty aspiring amateur referees from a number of Leinster clubs were taken through their paces by the

professionals and given coaching in areas such as the latest laws, big game preparation and management, training and diet.

The guinea pigs for the event were Old Wesley players themselves, who were used in the drills and law explanations on the field.

Those in attendance also had the opportunity to quiz the IRB men on what it takes to earn and maintain a place on the IRB elite panel and what

it’s like to have a career in international refereeing.

Emirates, which operates a daily service from Dublin to Dubai and beyond, has sponsored the IRB international referees panel since 2006, a partnership which sees the Fly Emirates logo proudly displayed on officials’ clothing across the Six Nations, Tri-Nations, international tours, U-19 and U-21 internationals and the IRB Sevens Series.

The group of Leinster amateur referees who attended the workshop at Old Wesley

21 March 2013 SWORDS Gazette 29

Gazette

Dublin heroes get their just rewards

The fourth annual Dublin Sport Awards was a night that celebrated the best in local sport, and saw legends old and new crowned in recognition of their achievements For the last four years, it has been a challenge to sit down and pick out the monthly heroes who are nominated in Gazette Sport’s Dublin Sport Awards. The scale of the achievements that we have the privilege to report on every week is remarkable, which makes the task even harder.

We had another wonderful year in 2012, and it came to a celebratory close at the Red Cow Moran Hotel last week with the fourth Dublin Sport Awards gala evening.

We always aim to recognise those who go further, run faster, train harder and succeed, sometimes against the

 rob heigh sport@gazettegroup.com

odds, and this year was no exception.

Honouring Catherine Walsh and St Brigid’s Under-14s were, in the end, the clear choices in a year of amazing performances and achievements.

Annexing silver and bronze in London last year, as well as gold at the World Track Championships in Los Angeles, was only a small part of what makes Catherine Walsh a true star.

She has competed in no less than six Paralympic Games, making her unique in the history of Irish sport.

Catherine identified the positive response of the crowds, fans and supporters of the Paralympics as a huge legacy that she hopes will continue.

“London was an amazing experience for everyone, friends and family, and the fans who were able to watch the games in real time. For a lot of people, for them to be able to share in it and feel part of the atmosphere, was really special.

“I would hope that the support the Paralympics received will continue.

Boxing legend Mick Dowling receives his Dublin Sports Legend award from Red Cow Moran Hotel’s Adrian Sherry

The Paralympics is nearly more empowering than the Olympics.

“I hope that people out there of a competitive nature in the sporting arena, or whatever your goal is, you should just go for it. If you have the ambition and passion

each month’s prizes on the night, really polished off their year – the lads were delighted with their awards.”

Also rewarded was Dublin boxing hero Mick Dowling in recognition of his years of support of the sport and his unique

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

‘Whatever your goal is, you should just go for it. If you have the ambition and passion to do it, you can do anything’ - Catherine Walsh, Sport Star of the Year --------------------------------------------------------

to do it, you can do anything.”

St Brigid’s Under-14s also achieved something unique and historic.

With the footballers defeating Portlaoise in their All-Ireland final, and the hurlers seeing off Clarinbridge after coming under pressure in their final, this remarkable group of players are the first in GAA history to win the hurling and football double.

Dublin legend Keith Barr, who manages the St Brigid’s Under-14 footballers was on hand to extend his praise to what he described as a “phenomenal bunch of players”.

“It’s a wonderful award and to be considered as the team of the year, especially considering the esteemed company of the teams who won

and insightful analysis of the sweet science on radio and television.

“It’s impor tant to have nights like this and awards like this,” said Dowling, “It’s good that some of the lesser known local teams and individuals get an opportunity to be honoured.

“As for the future, I think there is a conveyor belt of really good talent, under-age talent, in all sports. Looking at the winners tonight from St Brigid’s, from Blanchardstown and Castleknock, the talent that they have is exceptional.”

All in all, it was an exceptional year, and we’re already looking forward to reporting on Dublin’s finest throughout 2013, and to next year’s Dublin Spor t Awards.

FastSport

Take part and win with Gazette Sport and SPAR Great Ireland Run Dublin Gazette Newspapers have teamed up again this year with the SPAR Great Ireland Run to recognise the top runners in each of our local areas.

The Gazette will recognise the fastest man and woman from each paper’s circulation area with a specially designed plaque as well as prizes of sports gear.

After the run, we will also be publishing a results list of the top local male and female finishers.

The SPAR Great Ireland Run 2013 will take place in the Phoenix Park on Sunday, April 14, at 1pm.

Up to 12,000 entries are expected and every adult entrant will receive an exclusive technical T shirt as well as a medal and a generous goody bag after completing the run.

Entries can be made online at www.greatirelandrun.org.

Gazette

30 SWORDS Gazette 21 March 2013

SPORT

FastSport

swimming: aer lingus star’s positive homecoming

Swords Celtic on high after wonder weekend An array of Swords Celtic’s underage and junior soccer sides claimed victory over their opponents on St Patrick’s weekend.

Top of the results was the U-13 Premier side, who cruised into the semi-finals of the Joe Kirby Cup at Balheary with a comprehensive but battled for 3-0 win over league rivals, Ratoath.

The south Meath side are two places higher than Celtic in the league standings, but these counted for nothing when Swords established their platform for the win within five minutes.

The referee pointed to the penalty spot after a Swords player was brought down and Karl Stanley cooley slotted home to put the home side ahead.

The match was hard-fought, but Celtic edged forward again when Jamie Condon made it 2-0 before half time. Reality Osuoha, pictured above, scored a good individual goal in the dying minutes of the game to give Celtic a decisive and deserved three-goal cushion.

Special mention goes to Christian Willmont who put in an outstanding performance for Celtic at the heart of the defence.

In the AUL League, Celtic’s U-19s welcomed Crumlin to the reservoir grounds. Crumlin, currently top of the league courtesy of an unbeaten season, were looking for revenge after having been knocked out of the Lee Brothers Cup by Celtic two weeks ago.

Swords dominated the game and Owen Jones had put the U-19 team ahead before an ankle injury to a Crumlin player that required him to take an ambulance trip to hospital ended the game prematurely.

The U-17A team scored an emphatic 6-4 victory over Boyne Rovers on the road after Sean Gonzalez scored a fantastic four goals.

In addition, goals from Jason Lynch and a free kick from Adam O’Neill sealed what was a deserved win.

Also making headlines this weekend was Hafis Subar from the U-11D team. He scored a hat-trick against visiting Navan Road in the quarter final of the Hugh Donnelly Cup. Unfortunately, Navan Road went on to win the game 6-3 after Swords Celtic took the tie to extra time.

Barry Murphy spoke about his positive attitide to the sport at the 2012 Dublin Sport Awards at the Red Cown Moran Hotel

Murphy targets Rio return  rob heigh sport@gazettegroup.com

Aer Lingus swimmer Barry Murphy aims to be back in contention at the 2016 Olympic Games following his return to Ireland after a seven-year absence and an end of season burst that saw him bounce back from what he saw at the time as a disappointing performance at the London games last August.

From 2005, Barr y was living and training abroad, working with the team at the University of Tennessee where he was studying before moving to

Ann Arbor, to train under world-renowned sprint coach Mike Bottom and swim for the prestigious Club Wolverine.

Speaking to Gazette Sport at the Dublin Sport Awards, Barry reflected on his 2012 highs and lows.

“Although the year ended well, the goal was the Olympic Games. I didn’t perform as well as I would have hoped. I wanted to feel like I went to the Olympics and not just to take part, but to be competitive. Not getting out of the heats and not getting to the semi-final was a let down for me.

Local heroes Flynn and O’Brien claim supporters’ honours fingallians’ and Dublin’s Paul Flynn and Naomh Mearnog’s Kevin O’Brien, who captained the Dublin U-21s to All Ireland success, were presented with their footballer of the year honours at the Dublin GAA Supporters’ Club awards night which was held in the Regency Hotel recently. The night also honoured the surviving members of the 1963 AllIreland winning Dublin team on the 50th anniversary of their success.

Picture: GAApics.com

“It’s hard mentally when you are an athlete, and you prepare your whole life to go to an event like this, and for it not to go your way is really hard.”

Howe ve r, B a r r y bounced back at the European short course championships in Chartres, France last November and helped to ease the disappointment of London.

“At the European championships, claiming a few national records, appearing in the European final and being just outside the medals gave me an incentive and

determination that I am back in this sport and I have a lot to offer. I’m glad I’m racing fast and competing again and hitting the top level.”

His seven-year absence from Ireland was hard, says Murphy, but he is relishing being back home.

“It’s great to feel the buzz at home – people are excited that you went to the Olympics, and want to know how your training is going. When I was in the States, I was just some dude who swam. Seven years is a long time to be away from home, and it’s good to be back.”

With the Olympics in Rio only three years away, Murphy’s thoughts are turning to a return to the world’s most prestigious stage.

“If you had asked me just after London, I would have said no, Rio was too far away and I was not interested in doing it again. But now I am home and in the sport, I only have positive memories of the games – the performance was disappointing but everything else around it, the village, the atmosphere in the team, was fantastic and it makes you want to go back.”

21 March 2013 SWORDS Gazette 31

Gazette

Fingal bounce back to claim Tyrone win  sport@gazettegroup.com

TWO goals in the closing stages of the first half, coupled with a scoring burst after the resumption, proved the difference when Fingal’s senior inter-county hurlers recovered from a poor start to emerge as the winners at Healy Park, defeating Tyrone

2-11 to 0-15.

A Damien Casey free in the third minute put the home side in front.

They went on to completely dominate the majority of the first half, and they led by 0-7 to 0-0 at one stage.

It took Fingal 29 minutes to open their account but, crucially, it was a goal, with full-for-

ward David Smyth capitalising on a mistake in the Tyrone defence.

Another goal from Dean Flood kept Fingal in contention at the break.

Gary Fox opened the second half scoring for Tyrone but then the visitors landed six unanswered points which proved decisive.

Gerard Gilmore and Casey replied for Tyrone, but scores from John Matthew Sheridan and Brian McCarthy clinched victory for the Dublin men.

It keeps Fingal in contention at the top of the division NHL division 3A with two wins and a draw from their three outings to date.

nFL & NHL Division 1: football, hurlers lose AT HQ

Club Noticeboard fingallians A big thank you to all who took part in

marie Torsney and Fiona Tuite trav-

the Swords St Patrick’s Day Parade

elled to Athlone Indoor Stadium to take

and also those who made they day an

part in the Leinster Indoor Champion-

outstanding sucess in the club. Please

ships.

check out our Facebook page for a large selection of quality photos.

Anne-marie won the U-17 Shot Putt competition with a personal best

Congratulations to Fingal Hurlers

throw of 11.88m and then, on Sunday,

managed this year by our own Mick

Fiona won the U-18 competition with

Kennedy. They beat Tyrone in the NHL

a PB of 13.02m. Sarah Murray was a

at the weekend with a team who fea-

member of Ireland’s U-23 National

tured 5 Fingallians. Their next league

Relay team at 4 x 100m, while Pauline,

game is this Saturday in Croke Park v

Megan and Bronwyn Keogh attended

Fermanagh at 5.15pm prior to the Dub-

an Athletics Leader Coaching Course

lin footballers playing Down.

at Donore AC.

A big thank to the Pavilions where

Fingallians’ ladies were in Kildare

Easter Camp registeration took place

and took part in the Annual Charity

on Saturday and also to the mem-

Run A Muck Race.

bers who helped on the stand. Anyone

Club Training continues every Sat-

wishing to participate can still regis-

urday at Santry Stadium and Sunday

ter next Saturday morning in the club

in Swords. For further information

between 10 and 12pm or hand com-

please contact jdevansathletics@

pleted applications into the bar. The

hotmail.com

last date for registeration is March 24 to guarantee participation.

Athletics Update for March: Anne-

Fingallians extends deepest sympathy to the Jones family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hAnam dilís

st finian’s

Fingal Ravens’ Darren Daly was one of the players in action for Dublin when they were defeated by Tyrone

Dublin’s dual teams dip in form at Croker  sport@gazettegroup.com

IT PROVED a weekend to forget in terms of the National League for Dublin’s footballers and hurlers as both fell to their first defeats of the campaign in Croke Park last Saturday.

The footballers winning r un under Jim Gavin came to an end as Tyrone shaded their encounter 0-18 to 1-14 in NFL division one.

Dublin were without several key men from the selected team - especially Kilmacud Crokes man Ror y O’Carroll and St Oliver Plun-

kett’s/Eoghan Ruadh’s Bernard Brogan – while Castleknock’s Ciaran K ilkenny had to be replaced in the early minutes after picking up a knee injury.

That said Dublin, who featured Fingal Ravens Darren Daly and Fingallians Paul Flynn, made a decent start and goaled in the 16th minut.

Philly Ryan applied the finishing touch after Kevin McManamon had scythed his way through the Tyrone defence to push his side 1-3 to 0-2 clear.

However, alarm bells were ringing at times in

the Dublin defence with Stephen O’Neill and Peter Harte dominating the spine of the Tyrone attack. O’Neill kicked three points from play as well as being fouled for a free while Harte opened up the middle of the Dublin defence with some clever running.

Tyrone closed out the opening half by scoring three points in succession to lead 0-10 to 1-6.

And they progressed that lead to 0-18 to 1-12 clear when Michael Darragh Macauley rampaged though their defence but skied his goal effor t over the

crossbar.

A goal at this juncture may have seen Dublin edge home in a tight finish but as it was Tyrone held on to join Dublin at the top of the division along with Kildare.

On the hurling side, Limerick prevailed 1-21 to 1-15 as they closed out the game with four unanswered points to cruise home.

Dublin finished the game with 14 men after Paul Ryan was straight red-carded in the 51st minute and the writing was on the wall for Anthony Daly’s men not long after.

St Finian’s led the St Patrick’s Day

raiser with sales of the lotto proving

parade in Swords village, and there

to be a huge success. Thanks to all the

was a fantastic turnout of club mem-

teams and parents who helped out.

bers for this event. It was followed by

Our U-10 and 11 footballers had

a post-parade party in the clubhouse.

great wins over Tyrrelstown and St

Thanks to all who helped make this a

Pat’s Palmerstown at the weekend.

great day for the club.

Congratulations to young Donal

Ciara Buchanan our under 16 cam-

Redmond from our nursery who lined

ogie player continues to impress as

out as mascot for the Dublin hurlers on

part of the Dublin under 16 panel. Play-

Saturday night in Croke Park. A great

ing in defence at centre back Ciara has

honour for his family and his club. This

grown in strength and confidence.

follows only two weeks after another

A big thank you to Ann-Marie

young footballer from the academy

McGuirk for co-ordinating the bag

Conor Murnane was the mascot for

packing in SuperValu over the week-

the Dublin footballers. Well done to

end. This was a very successful fund-

both boys.

fingal ravens The candidates for the Lord Mayor

There will be a clean up of Rolestown

of Rolestown have been announced:

and surrounding areas next Saturday

Willie Bell, Bernadette Kavanagh and

23rd March, anyone that can help out

Christine Keane. We wish them all the

is asked to meet at Rolestown Hall at

very best of luck and we ask you to

10.30am, for more info pleae contact

please support all of their fundrais-

David Kinsella on 086 818 3108.

ers, the winner will be announced

We would like to send our condo-

at the Lord Mayor’s Ball in Kettle’s

lences to Trudy O’Brien and her family

Hotel on Sunday, August 4 (the bank

on the death of her father, Mick Fox.

holiday weekend), the candidate that

2013 membership is now due, mem-

has raised the most for Fingal Ravens

bership forms are available on our

will be the winner.

website www.fingalravens.com or at

Next Sunday’s fixtures: Seniors

the clubhouse, as agreed at the AGM

team play St Peregrine’s, juniors team

,all members must have their mem-

play Parnell’s, both at 11am; Junior B

bership paid in full by March 31.

team play Round Tower’s (L) at 3pm,

Any mentors that need to be

all cup games. Minors play Whitehall

trained up on the defibrillator,

Colmcilles at 11am in the league, all

please let Elaine Casey know on 087-

games in Rolestown.

9612660.

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

swimming for rio: Dublin Sport Award winner Barry Murphy talks about his plans for the future P30

march 21, 2013

Ireland on the rise: Ladies reach last eight of international contest P28

Ireland’s women’s rugby team were in 6 Nations heaven after claiming a succession of firsts in the 2013 campaign with a hard-fought victory against Italy in Rome

Ireland’s Grand Slam

The 6 Nations ends with Ireland making history, claiming for the first time the tournament title, the Triple Crown and the Grand Slam

 stephen findlater

sport@gazettegroup.com

ROLESTOWN native Lynne Cantwell admitted she feels “unbelievably privileged” to have played her part in the Irish women’s epic Grand Slam in Italy last weekend, closing out the perfect 6 Nations campaign with a 6-3 win.

Speaking afterwards about the groundbreaking campaign, one in which the side became just the third in Irish history to complete the Grand Slam, she said: “I feel unbelievably privileged to have experienced it, because you put in the hard work and you do it because you love it.

“I genuinely didn’t know if I would have been around to see this day. I feel really lucky to have

seen it, because there are plenty of girls that have gone before that have contributed as equally as I have and have not seen it.

“The friends you make, the bonds are incredibly strong, because you go through so much, such highs and lows, in such a short and intense atmosphere. It takes years to experience that kind of friendship. It’s really powerful and special.”

The 31-year-old was an ever-present throughout the campaign in the centre and played her part in the final act, providing the impetus that ultimately led to Niamh Briggs kicking the vital penalty in the 51st minute.

Cantwell almost created a number of other try opportunities and, while, none was completed, it

was a key performance in a breathtaking campaign.

In wretched weather conditions, two penalties from full-back Briggs guided the girls in green, but they had to show tremendous discipline and grit in defence in the closing stages as Italy, gunning for an historic third victory of the championship, threw everything at them.

In the end, Ireland’s impressive defensive record stood to them - they had only conceded two tries and 23 points in their previous four games - as they completed a memorable clean sweep.

Italy gained an early lead in rainy Parabiago through Veronica Schiavon’s third-minute penalty, but Briggs answered back for Ireland 10

minutes later.

It remained 3-3 up to half-time with Briggs, who went closest to scoring the game’s only try, missing an injury-time penalty.

But repeated ruck infringements led to Italy prop Lucia Gai earning a yellow card and Briggs split the posts with a 51st minute penalty.

The remaining half-hour was full of tension as defences continued to dominate and the errors increased in the worsening conditions.

Front row replacements Stacey-Lea Kennedy and Lauren Day made key contributions in defence as Ireland held out in a torrid finish, ensuring that Schiavon was not afforded an opportunity to kick for a draw that would have scuppered the perfect record.