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OPINION: Tanaiste Joan Burton on the Government’s Capital Plan Page 13
End of €6k pay to policy chairs KEITH BELLEW
STRATEGIC Policy Committee (SPC) chairs will no longer receive a €6,000 annual payment, after a motion to abolish the payment, tabled by Cllr Lorna Nolan (Ind), was passed, with 19 votes in favour, four against and two abstentions, at a recent Fingal County Council meeting. Before the motion, the chairs of each of the six SPC’s received €6, 000 a year on top of their council sal-
ary and expenses, which amounts to €36,000 a year. There are four SPC meetings per year. Cllr Nolan said these never lasted longer than two hours, which amounted to chairs being paid €750 an hour. C l l r A d r i a n H e n c hy ( F F ) expressed concern about where these types of cuts would end, saying it could turn into a “race to the bottom”. Full Story on Page 3
Fab fest: Film buffs spoiled for choice during Fingal showcase PICTURED AT the opening of the Fingal Film Festival 2015 are David Skiers and Lynn Murdock. The festival drew film fans to the Pavilions in Swords, including actor Dave Duffy of Fair City fame. Highlights included
a screening of End of Days and Surviving Auschwitz, as well as workshops on animation and sound design, and a discussion of the documentary, Seven Days in Syria. Picture: Stephen Fleming
See Gallery on Page 8-9
2 SWORDS Gazette 8 October 2015
council Chairs set to lose top-up for four annual meetings
Councillors vote to scrap €6k pay for committees STR ATEGIC Policy Committee (SPC) chairs will no longer receive their €6,000 annual payment following a motion to abolish it tabled by Cllr Lorna Nolan (Ind), and passed with 19 votes in favour, four against and two abstentions at a recent Fingal County Council meeting. There are six SPCs in total and prior to the motion, each chair received €6,000 (the maximum allowable) a
keith bellew kbellew@dublingazette.com
year on top of their council salary and expenses, which amounts to €36,000 a year. There are four SPC meetings per year, and Cllr Nolan said that the meetings have never last-
ed longer than two hours, which amounts to the chairs being paid €750 an hour. The argument that the chairs do a considerable amount of work outside the meetings was made by opponents of the motion, but Cllr Nolan said she has never once seen a chairman’s report on this work. Addressing the chamber prior to the vote, she said: “I’m actually on two of those committees. In
the last year I have attended three meetings [for] no longer than an hour and a half to two hours. “I don’t see the justification in the salary and I am calling on the councillors to abolish it. I don’t think it’s justified, I don’t think it’s good value for the taxpayers’ money – it is tax-free for the councillors and it’s [like a] jobs for the boys [reward], so I would like to call for a vote to have this abolished.” Supporting the motion, Cllr Jimmy Guerin (Ind) questioned the manner
Cllr Lorna Nolan (Ind): “In the last year I have attended three meetings [for] no longer than an hour and a half to two hours. I don’t see the justification in the salary and I am calling on the councillors to abolish it,”
in which these chairs are appointed, as Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, Labour and a number of Independents with similar political leanings in Fingal have a pact whereby they vote together on certain subjects. He said: “What makes me suspect that its more of a party perk or an a g r e e m e n t b e t we e n groupings is when you
see the chair being split [between councillors] for [terms] between three years and two years. I think that puts a question mark over the justification of paying someone the €6,000.” Cllr Adrian Henchy (FF) said that he had concerns about where these types of cuts would end. He said it could end up as “a race to the bottom” for councillors to do away with all manner of payments. The Mayor of Fingal, David O’Connor (Ind) went so far as to describe the motion as “kind of a cheap shot”. He said: “The next thing you know, you’ll be looking to get rid of the expenses for the deputy
mayor and cut out representational payment for councillors. There is an element of ‘race to the bottom’ [about it].” He went on to say that he “detests” the idea of taking €36,000 from councillors’ personal allowance to put into the €200m council budget. Cllr Nolan said the passing of the motion is evidence that the councillors elected in May 2014 are bringing change to local government. She said she would like to see the €36,000 this will save invested in promoting mental health services for young people and the roll-out of the age-friendly town initiative throughout Fingal.
2,100 avail of home renovation scheme SOME 2,127 homes in Fingal have been renovated through the Home Renovation Incentive Scheme since its inception in 2013, with a further 481 either in progress or due to commence soon. The scheme allows homeowners who carry out qualifying renovation works to apply for and claim an income tax credit. Deputy Alan Farrell (FG) has said the programme has been good for the local economy, in that it is improving peo-
ple’s homes and also creating jobs in Fingal. He said: “The Home Renovation Incentive Scheme provides a boost to the local economy, considering the jobs created by the scheme and the investment made in the renovation works. “There is also a tangible benefit for the participants, in terms of the increase in value of their homes following the completion of the works. Of the high-value works taking place, the majority were home extensions.”
8 October 2015 SWORDS Gazette 3
charity
council: questions over funding if proposal passes in upcoming plan
A walk to help fight cancers
Development levies facing Budget cut keith bellew
THE Government has said the possibility of reducing or completely doing away with development levies in councils to facilitate the construction of housing is being considered in the context of Budget 2016. A spokesperson from the Department of Environment said this was just one of a number of proposals being considered for the budget, which is to be announced on October 13, but stressed no decision had yet been made. If approved, it is likely the Government would compensate local authorities for lost revenue. Fingal County Council collected a total of €11m
in development levies in 2014, and €13.7m in the first nine months of 2015. Cllr Roderic O’Gorman (GP) criticised the proposal, saying the income generated through development levies was integral to the provision of infrastructure around Fingal. He said: “Fingal and the other local authorities use the money they receive from development levies to fund the provision of infrastructure around the county. If the Government stops us from claiming this money from developers, where are we going to make up the shortfall? “Is the Government going to commit to supplying the missing income? If they don’t, then councils will be forced to increase
business rates or the local property tax.” Cllr Justin Sinnott (Ind) also criticised the proposal, saying it could affect the maintenance of parks, playgrounds, roads and special works programmes. He believes it is unfeasible for the council to do without this income, and questioned whether the Department of Environment has the funds to reimburse each local authority. The Department of Environment declined to comment, saying: “Nothing has been decided in relation to this at the moment. It is one of a number of suggestions to be considered in the context of the budget.”
THE ninth annual Rivervalley Walk for the Irish Cancer Society, organised by local woman Margaret Harris, takes place on Saturday, October 10. Registration will take place from 1pm at the car park of Peacock’s bar with the walk starting at 2pm.
Ready for a dead heat? Zombies to be a course hazard at castle run THE undead will constitute an unusual hazard in the grounds of
Malahide Castle at an upcoming run. Outset Agency, in partnership with the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF), is hosting a 5km zombieinfested obstacle course, with the appropriately-named Run For Your Lives event. Runner Edel Walsh, models Sinead Duffy and Karena Graham, and Jessica Mullins, IHF, are inviting runners to come along and dodge the undead, with the foundation the chosen charity partner to benefit from the heart-stopping (but rather fun) horrors of dodging the dead on the way to the safe zone – or finish line, for those not caught up in a zombie apocalypse. Picture: Naoise Culhane
Refreshments The walk will be followed by refreshments and a raffle in Peacock’s, with prizes donated by local businesses. Following a circuit of Rivervalley, the walk will take about an hour and is buggy-friendly, if participants wish to bring babies along. There is no set registration fee, and participants are asked to give what they can.
4 SWORDS Gazette 8 October 2015
sport Students in training as part of KiDSMARATHON athletic programme
Over 600 pupils to run the last mile in Dublin Marathon Over 600 sixth class pupils from 22 Fingal schools will be joining the SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon for the last mile of the race on October 26. The students will complete 25.2 miles over eight weeks, training four times a week in their school before complet-
ing the last mile at the Dublin Marathon. This is part of KiDSMARATHON an athletic programme developed by New Zealand Olympian Rod Dixon to encourage children to embrace healthy, active lifestyles. He has not only implemented the programme in his
native New Zealand but he has tens of thousands of children taking part across the United States. A chance meeting between Dixon and Neil Kennedy (Dublin Marathon) paved the way for the programme to come to Ireland. This is the first time Fingal County Council and Dublin
Marathon have been involved in a programme of this type and it is the first programme of its kind in the country. The pupils are supplied with a workbook which highlights the benefits of sport and is used as both a training guide and learning tool for use in the classroom.
Speaking about the programme, Clodagh Kelly of Burrow National School, Sutton, said the KiDSMARATHON programme had shown to be a truly beneficial and enjoyable activity for both her and her class. “It can be integrated across the curriculum in many sub-
jects including maths, social environmental and scientific education, PE and social personal and health education. I can see the children becoming more and more involved each day as every lesson offers new and interesting learning opportunities in a different and fun way.”
Tip sheets, video to help encourage a love of reading A SERIES of tip sheets and a video aimed at promoting literacy and fostering a love of reading in children from an early age was launched by the Mayor of Fingal, David O’Connor (Ind), on Wednesday, September 30 in Blanchardstown Library. The video – The Youngest Ages Can Turn Pages – is part of the ongoing Fingal Libraries Early Years Literacy Strategy, which was launched in 2013. Three different tip sheets have been created for parents and carers of babies and toddlers up to 18 months, one to three years, and two and a half to six years.
The sheets are aimed at supporting parents and carers to develop early talking and sharing books with babies and young children. Tips include advice on helping babies to learn to talk and read, and how to develop these abilities in toddlers and children. Also included are recommendations on the different types of books that each age group will like. The tip-sheets, Reading and Talking with Babies, are available from all branches of Fingal Libraries. The video to accompany the tip sheets, Reading and Talking with Babies, is available at http://fingal.ie/community-and-leisure/
The issue of whether pre-planning meetings between developers and the council may be made public via freedom of information requests was raised by Cllr Roderic O’Gorman (GP)
council: freedom of information issue raised
Call for clarity on planning meetings keith bellew
THE matter of details of pre-planning meetings between developers and the council being made public will be discussed at the October 12 meeting of Fingal County Council. T his follows a request by Cllr Roderic O’Gorman (GP) for clarification regarding whether information about meetings between Fingal planning officials and people seeking planning permission are covered by the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. He was speaking in relation to a motion he
had put before Fingal County Council which called for the publication of a monthly list of all pre-planning meetings that council officials have taken part in. The motion called for the date of the meeting, the land/site involved and the name of the organisation/person with an interest in the land to be made public. Council management said the information about pre-planning applications is confidential, so Cllr O’Gorman questioned whether it would be subject to a FOI request.
His party colleague in the Howth-Malahide ward, Cllr David Healy (GP), said that the planning system is supposed to be open and transparent and that it is important that residents and councillors alike are able to access this information. He said: “The council has to engage with developers before they put in a planning application. I think it is important that the public can see what those engagements are and that they are appropriate and acceptable.” He added that sometimes the engagement is
with just one section of the council, and said this can result in an application which reflects the concerns of the transport section but not the planning department. He asked: “If an application comes in, to what degree [has it] been inspired by a meeting with the council, [and] which elements are being pushed for by a particular section of the council? Obviously, it’s useful to know that when the discussions are happening.” A council spokesperson said this information will be brought before the meeting on October 12.
8 October 2015 SWORDS Gazette 5
don’sdublin Harbour offers walk through history and great fish and chips HOWTH is situated at the northern tip of Dublin Bay with commanding views that made it a perfect stronghold for the Vikings who first invaded in 819. The name is derived from Old Norse Hofuth (meaning head) and it is where many fled after their defeat in the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. They maintained a presence there until they were eventually defeated by the Normans in 1177. The original Howth Castle was situated atop Tower Hill which affords a wonderful view of Howth harbour, marina and the islands – Ireland’s Eye and Lambay to the north. You can visit Ireland’s Eye (best in the summer) but Lambay is privately owned. There are Martello Towers on both, and that on Tower Hill is now home to Ye Olde Hurdy Gurdy Vintage Radio Museum. Across from Tower Hill is St Mary’s Church. The original was built by Sitric, King of Dublin, in 1042. This was replaced in 1235 and the current building was erected in the following century. Again, the views of the modern marina from the medieval building are superb. The harbour has plenty of history associated with it, as it was where King George IV first set foot in Ireland on August 12, 1821. This event has been commemorated with “his footprints” (cut by stonemason Robert Campbell) at the end of the West Pier. Check them out and see if you could fill the royal shoes. And on July 26, 1914 Robert Erskine Childers landed 900 rifles that Irish Volunteers used in the Easter Rising 1916 and the War of Independence 1919-21. The harbour is a busy commercial hub and supplies seafood to many local shops and restaurants. Wright’s of Howth and Beshoffs of Howth, both at the start of the West Pier, are long established and perennial favourites. A walk around the marina and a bracing stroll on the East Pier is a particular pleasure and not to be missed.
Don Cameron
www.donsdublin.wordpress.com
The harbour is a busy commercial hub and supplies seafood to many shops and restaurants
music Swords men’s group to hold a fundraising evening
Get ready for a Shed-load of songs SWORDS Men’s Shed is hosting a musical fundraising evening featuring the award-winning Celtic Choristers male voice choir at the Riasc Centre, Swords on November 7. This evening of music and song is the brainchild of local “shedder”, Sean O’Connor. The audience will be
treated to the choir’s diverse range of modern, popular, spiritual and classical songs, as well as Irish/Welsh hymns. O’Connor, from Malahide, joined Swords Men’s Shed earlier this year, and being a member of the Celtic Choristers choir decided to bring together his great interests in music
and singing with his membership of Swords Men’s Shed. He said: “It just seemed natural to me that we should have an entertaining musical evening as a fundraising event. This will raise vital funds to develop our shed, and so enable us to support our growing membership of
men with time on their hands.” The Dublin Airport Authority and Members First Credit Union have agreed to sponsor the event, which is also being supported by the Riasc Centre and Fingal County Council Tickets for this event are €15 and can be booked by
calling 083 487 5352. Founded in July 2014, Swords Men’s Shed has more than 30 members and is open every Monday and Wednesday between 10am to 4pm. For further information on the shed, contact Mick Kelly at 086 840 1456, or chairman Sean O’Connor at 083 487 5352.
6 SWORDS Gazette 8 October 2015
malahide: focus on 1916 event
decision ‘Properties had range of complex issues’
Rising to the fore at hotel MALAHIDE travelled back in time recently with Royal Irish Constabulary and Irish Volunteers coming face to face, albeit on far more amicable terms than history records. They met at the Grand Hotel for Fingal County Council’s 1916 Memorabilia Day, to commemorate the role the men and women of Fingal played in the Easter Rising.
Opportunity As par t of Fingal County Council’s 2016 Centenary Programme, the day provided an opportunity for members of the public to bring along items such as letters, medals and photos that told the story of their family connections to the Rising and beyond, to 1923. Experts were on hand to digitally photograph the items, as were historians, genealogists, and professional valuers. The experts helped the owners to fill in gaps in information as to the value and provenance of the items. Collection W i t h t h e ow n e r s ’ permission, the council plans to create a digital online collection using the material scanned on the day. The aim is to build a visual history and greater understanding of the role the ordinary men and women of Fingal played in the struggle for Irish freedom. For information on further centenary events, see http://www.fingal. ie/events/.
Fingal County Council has said that it turned down Nama social housing units for a number of reasons, ranging from legal title and management issues to whether the cost of acquisition and leasing offered value for money
Council defends non-use of ‘inappropriate’ Nama units keith bellew
FINGAL County Council has said it turned down a number of units which were offered by Nama for social housing, because they were not appropriate for use for a number of reasons. This follows revelations by Nama chief executive Brendan McDonagh that since 2011, 2,030 properties were offered to the four Dublin councils – out of which there was an uptake of 757. Of the 2,030, Fingal was offered 270 units between 2011 and 2015, and accepted 105. Dublin City Council was offered 828 and accepted 399, South Dublin County
Council was offered 581 and accepted 121, and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown was offered 351 and accepted 132. A spokesperson for Fingal County Council said the council is committed to providing high-quality social housing and cannot simply accept units as they are presented. They said they want to build sustainable communities in line with key Government priorities, not just find quick-fix solutions to a complex problem, and in the case of most of the 165 units it rejected, the chief reasons were the unsuitability of the location or a high concentration of social housing already in the area.
They went on to outline a number of other reasons, saying: “There were, however, additional factors such as a number of units not meeting standards or construction regulations. Some units had legal title and management issues. Other units were withdrawn by Nama during the process or, in some cases, the cost of acquisition and leasing did not offer value for money. “Local authorities are cognisant that their entry into the market does not result in the raising of prices. Additionally, some properties had complex planning issues and associated financial constraints. “In many instances,
there were questions raised around due diligence [an investigation of a business or person prior to signing a contract].” The spokesperson went on to say that the council is continuing to reform
the council following McDonagh’s statement. He said this is a very complex issue and there is no quick fix or simple solution. He said: “However, it is not entirely accurate
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‘Some properties had complex planning issues and associated financial constraints’
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Council spokesperson
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service delivery to meet demand where supply allows and has reassigned staff and resources to tackle the current situation. Cllr Adrian Henchy (FF) raised this issue with
for Nama to declare our local authorities did not take up the offer of thousands of units for social housing. I have no doubt if these units were in the right locations, built to the correct standards
and supported by local services, that every local authority would have taken up the offer.” Meanwhile, the Fingal branch of the AntiAusterity Alliance (AAA) recently held public meetings in Balbriggan and Swords to highlight the worsening housing crisis. The meetings were hosted by AAA election candidate Terry Kelleher, who said lands and properties held by Nama should be used to alleviate the crisis and should not be sold on to speculators or hedge funds. “An audit of Namaheld land could tell us quickly how many houses could be built,” he said.
8 October 2015 SWORDS Gazette 7
transport Fianna Fail, Fine Gael at odds over Capital Plan
Row rumbles on at Metro North plans keith bellew
AS PART of its Capital Plan, the Government announced an optimised version of Metro North would be commenced in 2021 and completed by 2027. Reaction to the €27bn project has been critical, with Senator Darragh O’Brien (FF) raising concerns that the revised Metro North plan will result in a huge reduction in capacity for little savings. He described the plan as a poor alternative to the original Metro North plans, saying the capacity has been low-
ered considerably for a saving of just €460m over a 10-year period. He went on to level accusations of electioneering at the Government, saying the announcement seemed to be nothing more than yet another election stunt. “What we are looking at is a significantly scaled-back version of Metro North without the savings to justify a massive reduction in capacity. Essentially, it is an airport Luas that uses smaller stations designed for small tram carriages that cannot accommodate the huge increase in passengers
promised by [the] original plans,” he said. Senator O’Brien went on to say that the entire potential of the project has been compromised. “There is no excuse for trading in capacity for 17,000 passengers [per hour, per direction] for 12,000 passengers and a saving of €460m over 10 years,” he said.
Attacking Deputy Alan Farrell (FG) hit back, saying the very people who are attacking the plans will be at the opening ceremony vying for photographic positions. He said: “Whatever
about the delivery time, the fact of the matter is you have to re-apply for planning permission. Because we have to re-apply for planning permission, we have to get a new railway order and, as we know from Luas Cross City, a railway order takes about three or four years. “Then the tendering process takes about six months. That’s why it’s not starting until 202021,” he said. He went on to say the current project is deliverable and affordable, unlike the project proposed by Fianna Fail when they were in government.
Senator Darragh O’Brien (FF) heavily criticised the “scaling back” of Metro North – a move which Deputy Alan Farrell (FG) dismissed
“People can swipe and gripe from the side lines all they like, but the truth of the matter is that in 2010 I did not commit to Metro – there were seven candidates in our constituency, and I was the only one who
didn’t commit. “ T h e r e we r e b i l l boards that went up that said I did, but I had no control over the billboards. I always said that there was no way we could afford it. “In October 2010,
[then Taoiseach] Brian Cowen [FF] opened up the books to the opposition, and it was very clear that we didn’t have the money. We said we’d review it in 2015; we did and now it’s back on the table,” he said.
8 SWORDS Gazette 8 October 2015
gazetteGALLERIES
Actor Dave Duffy
Brendan Flanagan
Katie McDonald,
David Skiers and Lynn Murdock
Emma Nolan and Jessica Neugebauer
Barry O’Neill and Emma Fagan. Pictures: Stephen Fleming
Pat O’Gorman
8 October 2015 SWORDS Gazette 9
Luke Maxwell, Aisling McGovern and Sinead Keane
Renate Canga
Michael Donnelly, Liz Kenny and Shane Hanley
Jennifer and Paddy O’Reilly
launch: ‘surviving auschwitz’ at opening night
Cinema fans flock to Fingal’s film fest T
HIS year’s Fingal Film Festival opening attracted film fans from near and far, with its powerful opening film – Surviving Auschwitz – providing compelling viewing. The film follows Victor Perez, a Tunisian Jewish boxer, who became the World Flyweight Champion in 1931 and 1932. However, Perez’s sporting successes were overshadowed by his harrowing survival at the notorious death camp, where his boxing skills saw him fighting for his life by being forced to participate in boxing bouts for the amusement of the Nazis. His remarkable true story proved a striking base for the opening film of the popular film fest, with Surviving Auschwitz to be released in 2016.
Barry Keogh
Jim and Geraldine Brooks
10 Gazette 8 October 2015
gazetteGALLERY
Kirsten and Svea Killoran
Eileen Dunne, Mary O’Connor and Eileen Brophy. Pictures: Naoise Cuhane
Helping the council to help our immigrants
T
HE Shelbourne Hotel played host to the Immigrant Council of Ireland’s annual Mothers and Daughters fundraising lunch recently, with the aim of supporting frontline services for a variety of sex trafficking victims. A cross-section of modern Ireland was at the launch, with the ladies
Niamh Farrell
drawn from all walks of life to share a common goal: that of helping the council to tackle sex trafficking gangs, whose actions affect women in criminal rings stretching from as far afield as Nigeria, Cameroon, Brazil and Eastern Europe to Ireland. With the council pursuing a number
of cases on behalf of women and girls brought into Ireland to be sexually exploited, those attending the lunch were happy to help play their part for other women around the world. The lunch is just one of several ways in which men and women help the council to help immigrants in Ireland.
Robyn Ferris, Deputy Anne Ferris (Lab), Amber Ferris and Leonie Stewart
Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh
Mary Fogarty and Emma Ardill
Majella D’Arcy, Larissa Griffin and Vanessa Simons
8 October 2015 Gazette 11
travel P22
asdfsdaf health P27 P24
dublinlife Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week
a day in the life: No two days are the same for Lorraine Keane
what’son
Not a second to spare for busy TV star aisling kennedy
With her new show The Interview due to air over the coming weeks, two young daughters who keep her busy, award shows to present and the launch of her new website, Lorraine Keane is a busy woman. No two days are the same for her but this week she took time out to talk the Gazette through a day in her life. “I get up at 7am and get the girls organised for school. My husband Peter leaves at about 8am and usually cycles into work or gets the Dart and then I bring the girls to school. “They have to be in school for about 8.25am so I drop them off and then head onto my pilates class.” Keane says that she doesn’t always have time to eat breakfast in the morning but if she has time she’ll usually have a slice of brown toast with a cup of tea. Keane explains that she enjoys her pilates classes that she usually does from 9am to 9.45am in Eva Berg’s The Secret Pilates in Rathmichael. “After pilates, I fly home to the house, have a quick shower and then I get into UTV for 11am. “The show I’m working on is called
Calling all INK aficionados...
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‘Myself and Peter try to use this time to catch up so we’ll either have a chat and watch a movie or box set’
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Lorraine Keane
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The Interview where I will be travelling to do a one-on-one interview with various people. “While I’m in UTV I set things up, research and prep, make phone calls, send a lot of emails, and attend meetings about the show.” After Keane is finished in UTV, she heads home to work on her new website. “I usually meet the website guys for a while and also Canon as they are sponsoring me and showing me how to upload video blogs. I want to upload the videos the best way I can so it looks well.” During this time, her husband’s parents pick her daughters up from school so once she has finished working on the website she collects them
Gazette
opinion P13
Presenter Lorraine Keane is busy with her career, but home and family life with her husband and children are always very important to her. Picture: Barry McCall
from their grandparent’s house and then prepares dinner. “We usually have dinner at about 6pm and then afterwards I’ll drop the girls to their Gaelic football training with Fox Cabs. “While the girls are training I’ll go around the corner and do the weekly shop.” Keane then picks her girls up from training, heads home and helps the
girls with their homework. “Peter usually comes home from work at about 8pm and then the girls go to bed at about 9pm. “Myself and Peter try to use this time to catch up so we’ll either have a chat and watch a movie or box set or sometimes we’ll have a bit of work to catch up on so we’ll use that time to work on our laptops from 9pm to 11pm.”
THE Dublin International Tattoo Convention returns for its 13th instalment this Halloween from Friday, October 30 to Sunday, November 1 at the Red Cow Hotel. The convention is the biggest event of its kind in Ireland and will see ink aficionados from across the world flocking to Dublin to exhibit their designs. There will be tattoo companies from Japan, Switzerland, the USA, Bulgaria, Germany and a huge contingent from Italy. Along with the foreign guests, native tattoo artists will also be exhibiting en masse. These artists will also be plying their trade throughout the convention, so patrons will have the chance to avail of the skills of renowned artists from around the world. Apart from the exhibitions and demonstrations, there will also be a Halloween Ball on Saturday, October 31, complete with music and drinks. For further information on the convention, see www. dublintattooconvention.com.
Gazette
12 Gazette 8 October 2015
dublinlife
Despite being traditionally part of American celebrations, pumpkins – and fun pumpkin carving – are an increasingly common sight on our shores at Halloween
diary
P-p-pick up a pumpkin this Halloween N ow t h a t a u t u m n has officially arrived, it’s almost time to don your ghoulish robes and dunk apples. Picking a pumpkin may be a very American concept but it’s something that Irish folk are doing more. Kennedy’s Pumpkin patch in Meath will be open this year from October 24 to 27 from 11am to 5pm each day so you can pick your own. They also offer tea/ coffee and cupcakes, pumpkin carving sets, face painting and other Halloween treats, which are all individually priced For more information, visit Kenny’s Pumpkin Patch Facebook page. All little ghosts, witches and goblins welcome!
What on earth? Spuds for a year K&K Produce donated a year’s supply of potatoes to Focus Ireland to mark National Potato Day, on Friday, October 2. Focus Ireland works to prevent people becoming, remaining or returning to homelessness through the provision of quality services, supported housing and advocacy. Lisa Kennedy of K&K Produce said: “To celebrate this year’s National Potato Day, we want to help shine a light on the homeless
crisis. We are hoping to set an example for other food producers to give back to communities and charities.” She went on to say that K&K is delighted to donate a year’s supply of potatoes to Focus Ireland to help support their food services. National Potato Day is organised by the Irish Potato Federation and Bord Bia, and this year’s celebration of the spud will focus on highlighting all the benefits that potatoes provide in the daily diet. Potatoes are the leading vegetable purchased by households throughout the country.
The boy is out of town again Phil Lynott, the Thin Lizzy frontman and accident-prone statue of Harry Street, has been carted off for repairs again. The Rocker will be out of commission for four to five weeks nursing a broken bass after he was struck by a motorist. Thankfully it was not a case of hit-and-run, and the guilty par ty notif ied the proper authorities and took responsibility. This is not the first time such an accident has befallen the statue, in May of 2013, two men (possibly acting on the orders of a jealous Bono), pushed him over
and laid him up for over two months. On that occasion, a sign was erected which read: “The boy is out of town. Philo is gone on holidays with his mum. Back soon.” Some conscientious individual who recognised that Philo was a Dubliner crossed out the word mum and replaced it with Ma. We can’t wait to have you back in town!
Palermo set for new dublin visit After fans of Olivia Palermo were recently left disappointed with the cancellation of her visit to Brown Thomas in Dublin, fashionista’s spirits were lifted with the announcement that she has set a new date to visit Irish shores. Palermo, a style icon and creative director of Ciate London, is set to make an appearance in Brown Thomas on Grafton Street on Saturday, October 10, to officially launch her Olivia Palermo X Ciate London Make Up collection. As Palermo is currently recuperating from a minor surgery on her back, everyone hopes that all will go to plan this second time around. If not, Irish fashionistas will just have to make do with watching re-runs of The Hills and wishing that they too
could own her wardrobe.
tributes paid to late brian friel RENOWNED playwright Brien Friel has passed away at the age of 86. One of Ireland’s most prolific playwrights, the Tyrone man wrote 30 plays over the course of his celebrated career and also served as a senator from 1987 to 1989. He is best know n for his plays Philadelphia Here I Come! and Dancing at Lughnasa, the latter of which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The play, which Dublin T heatre Festival director Willie White describes as a masterpiece, won three Tony awards and the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Play in 1992. The Lyric Theatre Belfast’s 25th anniversary production of Dancing at Lughnasa continues at the Gaiety Theatre until October 11, and will no doubt be viewed with a deeper and more poignant appreciation by Friel’s fans. Tanaiste Joan Burton is among the many fans of the prolific playwright to pay tribute and offer their condolences to his family. She said he “brought Irish theatre and arts community to the international stage”.
8 October 2015 Gazette 13
opinion
Building on Recovery for a better Dublin Tanaiste Joan Burton on the Government’s six-year €27bn Capital Plan to foster positive changes for all THE Government’s Capital Plan announced last week – Building on Recovery – will bring major new investment in roads, rail links, schools, health facilities and broadband, benefiting all parts of Dublin. It’s great news, for example, that the new Metro connection, linking the city centre to Dublin Airport and Swords, has been included in the six-year €27bn plan. Dublin will benefit significantly from this and a series of other major projects being funded under the plan. These include: – Work on the Phoenix Park tunnel is under way and is set to open in 2016. – The Connolly to Maynooth line will now become a Dart service, as part of a series of expansions to the Dart network. – The Cross City Luas line will involve the extension of the Green line from St Stephen’s Green to Broombridge in Cabra, and the Broombridge station will be fully refurbished to become a critically important hub point. That project should be completed in 2017. – The revised Metro connection from St Stephen’s Green to the airport and on to Swords will mean a journey time of just 19 minutes from O’Connell Street to the airport. – There will be signifi-
cant funding for new and replacement buses, further upgrading of quality bus corridors, and road maintenance. These improvements will mean a faster and better transport service in Dublin and in the greater Dublin area, both for commuters and for visitors, but transport is not the only area included in the plan, further details of which will be published in the weeks ahead. In health, we are making an additional €100m available to fund the relocation of the remaining two Dublin maternity hospitals, which will see the Rotunda moving to Blanchardstown, and the Coombe to St James’s.
Improvements The Capital Plan will also provide €450m funding for improvements to nursing homes, and for the provision of more primary care centres. Better health services mean better facilities for vital treatments for those who need them most. Again, details of these projects will be announced in the coming weeks. To improve crime prevention and make communities safer, the Capital Plan is investing in new IT systems for Garda stations, and an extensive modernisation and refurbishment of facilities and buildings. T he Capital Plan includes an additional €500m for social housing projects, to boost
our €4bn housing plan. There will also be a major investment in flood relief schemes to protect homes at risk from flooding. We have also earmarked €3.8bn in direct funding for primary, secondary, and third-level facilities. This will mean more places for children, better and more modern school buildings for them to learn in, and better funding for research at third level. The plan will fund an additional 19,000 primary school places by 2018, and 43,000 additional post-primar y places nationally by 2022. I’m also delighted to say that, as well as upgrading ICT in our schools, the plan will ensure any remaining pre-fabs are replaced with permanent buildings. Better broadband is vital to the development of local communities throughout Ireland. Better connectivity brings better quality of life and better opportunities for jobs and growth, and that is why the Capital Plan is investing significantly to deliver better broadband services.
Commemorative The plan will also make an additional €31m available for heritage and commemoration projects as part of the Government’s 2016 commemorative programme. I’m on the record as stating that culture and the arts require ongoing support and investment,
and this is a major first step in that process. This sector was not exempt from the difficult adjustments of recent years, but our artists showed remarkable resilience through that period in turning out work that continued to sustain – and, indeed, enhance – Ireland’s cultural reputation internationally. Fresh investment in culture and the arts will be returned many times over. This plan will create 45,000 construction jobs
alone over its duration, as well as supporting hundreds of thousands of existing jobs throughout the economy. Better roads, rail links, schools, health facilities and broadband – all of these make our communities better and our economy stronger. It’s a plan to build on recovery and make life better for our people.
Joan Burton Tanaiste and leader of the Labour Party
“This plan will create 45,000 construction jobs over its duration, as well as supporting hundreds of thousands of existing jobs,” says the Tanaiste
Gazette
14 Gazette 8 October 2015
dublinlife
FEATURES
Despite nearly drowning some time ago, actress Tina Kellegher loves to go swimming to relax
escape the mayhem: actress Tina Kellegher
A swim holds the key to beating stress ian begley
Best known for her role in the BBC television series Ballykissangel and also as Sharon Curley in the 1993 film The Snapper, Tina Kellegher is still busy as ever performing in a vast range of theatre productions. This week The Gazette caught up with Kellegher to see what she does to unwind and escape from her busy schedule. “What I really love to do to unwind is go swimming. I’ve spent years bringing my son to swimming lessons and it wasn’t until about two years ago when I properly learned how to swim myself. “It’s a really great way to shake off any stress and also a good endorsement to get fit. “It’s a great form of exercise and it isn’t bad on the joints. I usually go at about 6.30am in the morning and try and do about 50 lengths. It’s become my great love when it comes to relaxing. “I grew up in Cavan and my mother was always nervous of the water so we were never really introduced to swimming lessons as children. I think I’m the only one in the family who swims now.” Kellegher added that a number of years ago she had a near drowning experience with her husband while on holiday in Crete, but didn’t let the unfortunate incident stop her from enjoying swimming at her local pool. “We were in the sea and the wind and currents changed suddenly and we were nearly swept away - It was a very close call. “It seems just so typical that tragedies happen the day before you’re supposed to return home, but thank god it wasn’t our time.” Tina Kellegher is performing in the Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire on in the production Hooked! as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival on October 8 to 9 at 8pm. Tickets are priced at €18/ €14 and can be purchased at www.paviliontheatre.ie
An upcoming cocktail gestival will help to highlight the diversity of a wide range of Irish spirits or liqueurs
festival: an imaginative way to showcase irish spirits or liqueurs
Bartenders set to pour creativity into cocktails keith bellew
THE second instalment of Great Irish Beverages Dublin Cocktail Fest will take place in 36 venues across the city from October 12 to 17 this year. This year’s festival will have a uniquely Irish twist, as all of the city venue’s specially made drinks will contain an Irish spirit or liqueur as their leading ingredient. Each of the venues involved is requested to create a specific cocktail to sell for the week at a 30% discount to anyone who has a festival wristband. The wristbands cost €5 and will be available at each of the venues. They can be used throughout the week at
all of the venues. TheTaste.ie have come on board for the festival and will have details of special rates and food pairings which are being offered by each venue. Many of the brands involved will also be hosting tastings, workshops and masterclasses centred around cocktails. Speaking to The Gazette, festival organiser Oisin Davis, of Great Irish Beverages, said the aim of the festival is to highlight and showcase all of the great Irish spirits out there and encourage their use in pubs in the way that Irish food is used in restaurants. He said: “This year, we’re highlighting Irish spirits and liqueur. There’s cocktail festivals
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‘There’s cocktail festivals all around the world, and I wanted our festival to be different’
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Oisin Davis, Great Irish Beverages
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all around the world, and I wanted our festival to be different. “I figured the best way to do that would be to highlight and showcase the Irish spirit element in cocktails. “Often, you can find Irish spirits and liqueurs being mixed really well in cocktails in bars all around the world, so I wanted to see if we could challenge the Dublin venues to do something on par with what I see when I go abroad.” He added that there is
also the added bonus of supporting Irish jobs by buying Irish products. Each of the cocktails must contain an Irish spirit or liqueur as their primary ingredient, ie a martini with Irish gin or vodka or an Old Fashioned with Irish whiskey. Each participating venue will be striving to provide the highest quality cocktail as festival goers will be Tweeting or voting on Facebook for their favourite cocktail of the festival from
October 12 to 18. The winning venue will receive a handmade plaque and will hold the honour of having the best Irish-made cocktail in Dublin. A wide range of indigenous drinks will feature in these cocktails, from single pot still whiskies, to premium gins and vodkas, old-skool poitins and liqueurs infused with wild Irish berries. People can vote for their favourite cocktail by tweeting it with the hashtag #BestIrishCocktail on Twitter, or by visiting the Great Irish Beverages Facebook page. For further information on the festival, see www.greatirishbeverages.com.
8 October 2015 GAZETTE 19
MUSIC
GAZETTE
OUT&ABOUT
ALBUM: LANA DEL REY’S HONEYMOON, THE FOLLOW-UP TO 2014’S ULTRAVIOLENCE
Consistent voice but cringeworthy lines COLM MURRAY
HONEYMOON, Lana Del Rey’s follow-up to her 2014 album Ultraviolence, is at both compelling and occasionally boring, a record that moves and morphs, taunts and mystifies in equal parts. Strings swell on the opening track and then Del Rey’s voice, dark and deep fills in. But there are limitations to the complexity of Honeymoon’s music. Many of the songs share repetitive orchestral arrangements, which makes the 14 tracks feel bloated and spans the history of Hollywood
and 20th century cinema (every song making some reference, big and small, to pop culture), and centres on some sort of tormented love affair The album’s standouttrack High By the Beach, is the most interesting song sonically. As the album progresses, it’s also apparent her development has made her confident to mix up her signature sounds as she starts to work with heavier beats, intricate soundscapes and sounds far removed from the album Born to Die. What is consistent throughout Honeymoon, though, is Del Rey’s vocals. Her ethereal voice
floats from a sultry whisper to soaring croon effortlessly, transforming and bringing to life songs like The Blackest Day through her sensual and smoky delivery. But repeated listens reveal some of the lurking absurdity: “You’re so art deco / out on the floor […] Baby you’re so ghetto / you’re looking to score” is a prime example of one of many eyebrowraising examples of the cringe-worthy lines. From day one she has been dogged with authenticity jibes but finally she has created a world of her own and on this record she seems to have floated deeply into it.
Honey moon is a romantic obsession drowning in darkness. Spanning over an hour, if the ghost town film soundtrack strings of Honeymoon and Terrence Loves You don’t leave a trace, the funereal The Blackest Day and Swan Song do the trick. Everything is exact, (“Nothing gold can stay, like love or lemonade or sun or summer days”, “Come to California, be a freak like me, too”) to the last breath gasps of Religion’s dusky chorus. Wrapping things up with a cover of Nina Simones’s Don’t Let Me Be Understood provides
a fitting footnote to her latest offering – equal parts melancholy, reflective and soothing. If last year’s Ultraviolence felt like it shunned the singles-first pop approach, Honeymoon takes that approach and runs into the distance. With the exception of High By The Beach’s, no song gets to the chorus
Honeymoon (above left), Lana Del Rey’s follow-up to her 2014 album Ultraviolence, is at both compelling and occasionally boring
before the minute mark. This isn’t an album stripped of hooks - far from it - but everything’s
approached with a strung-out vibe.
Verdict: 6/10
Gazette
20 Gazette 8 October 2015
OUT&ABOUT
Jewellery designer Blaithin Ennis (front) and models wearing some of her jewellery, available available to purchase at Brown Thomas Dublin and Brown Thomas Galway. Picture: Photocall Ireland
Brown Thomas to continue showcasing Whisker, Ennis design FOLLOWING the success of this year’s CREATE 2015 installation, Brown Thomas will continue to showcase the work from talented Irish designers Mariad Whisker and Blaithin Ennis. The Grafton Street store welcomes readyto-wear designer Mariad Whisker to Level 1 of The Designer Rooms, whilst jewellery designer Blaithin Ennis will continue to present her work in The Accessories Hall, sitting alongside some of the world’s most prestigious international brands. Whisker’s collection features a clean, architectural silhouette in a palette of charcoal, black and ivory. The designs drape beautifully; exquisitely achieved with fabulous fabrics. Ennis’s striking line of jewellery is beautifully hand-made, incorporating simple, craft-driven techniques, which is also available at Brown Thomas Galway. The designer sources, manipulates and combines unusual materials from around the world to create striking pieces.
Ennis said: “Being accepted to participate in the CREATE project initially was a huge stepping stone for me. It gave me the opportunity to showcase my work in a wonderful environment, alongside amazing designers. “I’m thrilled to have been asked to continue stocking here – it’s every designer’s dream. I am so appreciative of the loyalty, helpfulness and encouragement I have received from the team and I am looking forward to continue working with them.”
Inspiring Whisker said: “It was inspiring to be a part of CREATE alongside the vibrant, eclectic group of designers and makers Brown Thomas put together for the showcase. It has been a wonderful success for me and such a pleasure to meet the Brown Thomas customers.” Whisker’s collection is available at Brown Thomas Dublin, with Ennis’s jewellery available to purchase at Brown Thomas Dublin and Brown Thomas Galway.
Coat €219, fur waistcoat €149, sweater €109, skirt €199, scarf €55 – all available from Mint Velvet
Hugo Boss Outer coat €730; Laurel Inner coat €545; M&S Polo neck €32
Mango Jacket €79.95, top €34.95, trousers €49.95 – all available from House of Fraser; Hobbs Fur scarf €70
Sisley Coat €139, skirt €47.95, shirt €59.95, sweater €47.95
dundrum DELIGHTS mimi murray
Abby Harris wears Topshop Coat €125, dress €38, poloneck €38; Ursula Kelly wears Pinko Coat €516, sweater €157, shirt €278, skirt €193 – all available from Harvey Nichols
DUNDRUM Town Centre presented its AW15 ladieswear and menswear collections last week, and it was a showcase of the season’s key trends, handpicked from high-street stores to high-end designers throughout the centre. With more than 2,000 brands housed under one roof, there’s plenty to choose
from at the centre. There is also plenty for men, with brands such as Linea, Nicole Farhi, McQueen and GANT Rugger, to name but a few. Showcasing oversized outerwear, delicate brocade styles that will take you into the depths of winter, and sleek, tailored separates to see you through the winter months, there is lots to choose from Dundrum Town Centre this autumn.
8 October 2015 Gazette 21
BT2 Victoria Beckham dress €825; Sisley Boots €155
Topshop Sleeveless belted jacket €65, striped plunge cami top €32, crop trousers €55; Clarks Shoes €95
Sandro Coat €325; Mint Velvet Denim jacket €149; M&S Skirt €70; Pinko Poloneck €130, shoes €221 – available from Harvey Nichols
Sportmax Coat €1,015, Missoni Top €255, Alice and Olivia Dress €505 – all available from Harvey Nichols
LK Bennett Coat €1,195, dress €350; Sisley Boots €155
Gazette
STYLE
Gazette
22 Gazette 8 October 2015
OUT&ABOUT
ReelReviews
the intern
A decent De Niro film BRIEFLY overshadowed by co-star Robert De Niro getting huffy over some less than stellar reviews, The Intern (Cert 12A, 121 mins) is actually an amiable enough film. Teaming up with Anne Hathaway, the likeable stars strike up an unlikely friendship as an older, bored widower takes up an intern job at an online company – and whaddya know, the old timer has life lessons for everyone!
The Martian
Stuck on a Damon planet MATT Damon is a stranded astronaut (yes, again, following his recent role in Interstellar). Here, in The Martian (Cert 12A, 141 mins), he’s presumed dead but very much alive on the red planet, and determined to survive until a rescue team arrives ... Director Ridley Scott has crafted a film full of plenty of good and bad science alike, but it’s one that’s undeniably a treat for the eyes.
life
A tribute to Jimmy Dean DONKEYS years after his death, and James Dean continues to exert a strange hold over pop culture. In Life (Cert 15A, 111 mins), the story of the iconic, troubled young actor’s friendship with a photographer is played out, with Dane DeHaan creating a striking Dean, while Robert Pattinson, as photographer Dennis Stock, creates a sympathetic character who took iconic shots of the star.
CINEMA
the walk: a dumbed-down plot can’t dilute its astonishing centrepiece
Delicately retreads an incredible feat of skill IN 1974, just as the second of the World Trade Centre towers was due to open for business in Manhattan, French acrobat Phillipe Petit flew across the Atlantic with a motley crew of his hippy friends and conducted an exquisitely daring wire walk between the peaks of the twin towers. Presented here in The Walk (Cert PG, 123 mins), this is a rollercoaster of a story that immediately grips us, due to the sheer grandeur of it, which is bolstered by the fact that not only was Petit’s wire walk incredibly magnificent, it was also incredibly illegal. It involved years of meticulous preparation, folders crammed with fake IDs and delivery dockets, pockets overflowing with dodgy moustaches, and buckets brimming with bravado to pull off. It may be the stuff of fairytales, but it was a story that many of us were ignorant of up until a few years ago. Back in those hazy days when Petit stepped out over an abyss, documentary equipment was
Dave phillips
heavy and scarce, but some stuttering footage and stunning photographs exist to complement the colourful accounts of the morning commuters who were standing 1,364ft below. This rich material was tapped expertly in 2008 for James Marsh’s documentary, Man on Wire, which also had Petit and his accomplices revisit their coup through indepth interviews with Marsh. It was no doubt this deep blend of exhilarating action and characterdriven story that piqued the interest of writer and director Robert Zemeckis, who has treated us over 30 years to a plethora of family-friendly, blockbusting adventures. In The Walk, Zemeckis attempts to capture the epic scale of Petit’s tale with a tried and tested Hollywood recipe: trim the more intricate edges
and discard. Bring to a boil and then add stock characters. Liberally apply Joseph GordonLevitt. Garnish with a flourish of computer graphics, and serve. The result is a visual feast, but whether it will leave you satisfied really depends on your appetite. The Walk is a colourful, vivacious, and over-thetop romp that will either float your boat or sink it entirely. Gordon-Levitt’s French accent is nowhere near as steady as his wire-walking skills, but he makes up for it with an array of continental frowns and hand gestures. It’s best not to dwell too long on Ben Kingsley’s manic performance as Petit’s Franco-Polish mentor. The drama is played out with such extravagance that it becomes cartoonish – just imagine a French Scooby Doo cast in a heist flick, and you’ll be most of the way there. And, while there may be nothing wrong with that, per se, at least Scoo-
Steady, steady ... Although the 1974 feat of French acrobat Phillipe Petit’s daredevil (and highly illegal) walk between the near-complete World Trade Centre towers has been presented before, despite The Walk’s flaws, the actual tightrope sequence is expertly handled and executed
by Doo left a bit of mystery as to how things may unfold. Here, we are led unrelentingly by the hand – it feels like in between almost every scene “the fourth wall” breaks as Gordon-Levitt speaks again to us, while perched atop the flame of the Statue of Liberty, to tell us exactly what is on his mind. It is an attempt, one must guess, to replicate
the sense of an enthralling yarn unfolding that made Man on Wire such a success, but here it feels unnecessary, over-used, and – consequently – annoying. If this is a rollercoaster of a story, it is one with a very long cue. But there is no denying that when it counts, The Walk is spectacular. The climactic scenes are equally tense and beautiful to look at, and feature some seri-
ously impressive computer graphics and 3D. Zemeckis may have nailed an engrossing 15 minutes, but with cardboard characters and the more nuanced elements of the true-life story blotted out, the main feeling running through this film is disconnection, rather than immersion. It is a great view but step out at your own risk.
Verdict: 5/10
8 October 2015 Gazette 23
Gazette
24 Gazette 8 October 2015
OUT&ABOUT
HEALTH
This sugar-free granola works really well with natural yoghurt and fresh berries for breakfast
You’ll be nutty about a sugar-free granola THIS recipe for Genuinely Sugar-Free Granola, which makes 12 servings, is taken from the Goodbye Sugar book by Elsa Jones, who says: “It is virtually impossible to find a tasty granola that is genuinely sugar-free. Most brands you’ll find on supermarket shelves contain the equivalent of three teaspoons of sugar per serving, which is a lot. The protein, fibre and essential fats in this granola will stave off sugar cravings and supercharge your energy levels at any time of the day.”
Ingredients Quarter cup coconut oil 1 cup oats 1 cup sunflower seeds 1 cup pumpkin seeds 1 cup chopped almonds (you can chop them in a food processor or use a knife) Half cup ground flaxseed 2 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp almond extract or vanilla extract (I use both) Pinch of sea salt Preparation • Preheat the oven to 190°C. Line two baking trays with baking paper or grease lightly with coconut oil. • Melt the coconut oil in a small saucepan and set aside. • Place all of the remaining ingredients in a large bowl and mix together. Make a well in the middle and add the melted coconut oil. Mix thoroughly until everything is lightly coated with the oil. • Divide the granola evenly between the two trays and spread out in a thin layer. Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes until lightly toasted and golden. Stir half way through to avoid burning. • Allow to cool, then store in an airtight container for up to one month. • Serve with milk of choice or natural yoghurt. Delicious served with fresh berries, grated apple or sliced pear. Tip Take care not to overcook as these ingredients burn easily and will taste bitter if cooked for too long. I find that the baking tray that’s placed on the lower shelf of the oven cooks a little quicker than the one on the upper shelf, so I take it out a few minutes earlier. You might need to do the same.
Given the choice between what’s good for us – or not – too often we’re tempted to go for the sugary option instead
energy: cut down your sugar and reap the benefits
Sweet advice to heed ARE you in control of your sugar intake, or is your sugar intake in control of you? With sugar consumption levels increasingly a matter to be concerned about, especially with obesity levels on the rise, we all need to be aware of how to cut back on our sweet tooth’s cravings. This week, Gazette Health has some great advice on cutting back, courtesy of Elsa Jones.
Start as you mean to go on What you choose to eat for breakfast can set the stage for controlling blood sugar for the rest of the day, so make sure to eat a balanced breakfast. Porridge oats topped with berries and a sprinkle of nuts/seeds, or eggs with rye toast, will keep blood sugars stable, whereas concentrated fruit juices, highly-processed cereals or those high in dried fruit will have the opposite effect. Choose slow-release carbs versus fastrelease carbs Carbohydrates can be classed as fast- or slowreleasing. Fast-release carbohydrates (eg white bread, white pasta, corn
flakes, pizza) break down into glucose very rapidly, which can lead to blood sugar highs and lows. Essentially, eating too many throws our blood sugar levels off balance, leading to energy dips and further cravings for sweet or starchy foods – it’s a vicious cycle. C o nve r s e l y, s l owrelease carbohydrates (brown rice, oats, quinoa) break down into glucose at a slower rate, which helps to maintain stable blood sugar and energy levels.
Stop feeding your sugar monster In a nutshell, the more sugary foods you consume, the more your body will crave them. The less you consume, the less
you’ll crave them. Once you stop fuelling your cravings, limiting your sugar intake becomes a lot easier. So, I recommend you start by identifying and reducing the biggest sources of sugar in your diet. For most, the obvious culprits are chocolate, biscuits, sweets, scones, soft drinks, etc. Within a week, you will notice a dramatic reduction in your cravings for sweet foods.
Include a portion of protein with every meal As well as being filling, protein helps to stabilise blood sugar levels, which keeps sweet cravings at bay. Protein also provides the building blocks for brain chemicals, which influence appetite and satiety. At meal times, aim to fill one quarter of your plate with protein-rich
food/s, such as eggs, fish, poultry, nuts/seeds, beans or lentils.
Keep healthy snacks close to hand You’re much more likely to over-eat and/or choose the wrong type of foods when you are overly hungry and have a low blood sugar. Eating little and often counteracts this. So, always make sure to have healthy snacks close to hand so you have no excuse when temptation strikes. Healthy snack options that will help to curb sugar cravings and stave off an afternoon slump include a handful of nuts with a piece of fruit, natural yogurt with cinnamon and berries, nut butter spread on sliced apple, or an oat cake topped with hummus. Know your emotional triggers If you’re like most peo-
ple who struggle with a sugar habit, much of your eating behaviour is probably driven by emotions. In other words, you don’t choose to eat sugary foods just because you are physically hungry, you choose to eat sugary foods because you want to change or enhance the way you feel. This is known as “emotional eating”. Take a moment to think about what feelings make you reach for comfort food? Is it stress, tiredness, boredom ... perhaps there are certain times, people or places that trigger these feelings? Once you know, you’ll be in a stronger position to overcome them. elsa jones
Author of bestselling book Goodbye Sugar, available to purchase in book shops and online, Elsa Jones is a qualified nutritional therapist. For further information, see www.elsajonesnutrition.ie.
8 October 2015 Gazette 25
Gazette
FOOD&DRINK BITESIZEDNEWS
Top chefs and cuisines are just some of the features of Taste City Fusion. Picture: Jason Clarke Photography
Take5
Beshoffs (O’Connell Street) Fresh cod €5.95; Chips €2.95
mimi murray
SOMETIMES nothing will do but a good old-fashioned fish and chips. Chipper chips, as my mates and I say. As an island, we are blessed with the best the sea and the ocean has to offer, and sometimes it’s okay to batter fish up and deep-fry it with lots of tartare sauce and chips with salt and vinegar on the side. This week, we look at the old-style chippers around Dublin, as well as some new offerings – posh fish and chips, if you like – as well as an old favourite of mine, the Oarhouse in Howth. So, here are our Top 5 fish and chips in Dublin. Next month, we will look at the Top 5 places for afternoon tea in Dublin.
Fish Shop (Smithfield) Beerbattered catch of day €12.50
Romayo’s (Chain) Fish and chips meal with drink €8.60 (daily; €7.50 Wednesdays)
Leo Burdocks (Werburgh Street) Fresh cod and chips €9.25
The Oar House (Howth) Deep fried fish in light crispy batter with pureed pea and tartare sauce €17
Tuck into a tasty new foodie festival in Dublin TASTE City Fusion, supported by CityJet, is a brand-new food and drink festival from the team behind Taste of Dublin. Taking place from Thursday, October 22 to Monday, October 26, Taste City Fusion will see the capital transformed into the ultimate gourmet destination, across a range of venues. With Christ Church Cathedral as the festival’s central hub, visitors will enjoy bespoke dining experiences, master classes and workshops, a street food fair, and more than 50 food and drink experiences – all dedicated to celebrating Dublin’s world-class food scene. Culinary greats include Paul Kelly, Kevin Thornton, Sunil Ghai, Mark Moriarty and Gavin McDonagh, while visitors can look forward to unique dining opportunities in some of Ireland’s leading eateries, as well as engaging workshops and informative master classes. Highlights One of the many festival highlights is the opportunity to enjoy a banquet prepared by the best young chef in the world. Mark Moriarty, the San Pellegrino Young Chef 2015, will create a four-course medieval banquet, combining fine dining with “peasant chic” in the atmospheric twelfth century crypt of Christchurch Cathedral. Irish airline CityJet, which recently unveiled stylish new branding, is supporting the take-off of the new city-based food festival. Guests can enjoy more than 50 food and drink experiences all across the city, with venues including Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, Thorntons, Pichet, Klaw, FX Buckley, SODER + KO, Brioche, and many more. Not to be forgotten is the street food fair, on the grounds of Christ Church Cathedral, with free entry to all. The Pig’s Tale, Jack Rabbit, and a host of the most irresistible street food in the country will provide a smorgasbord of Irish and international culinary delights. All festival detail is updated regularly on the website, where tickets priced from €10 are on sale now (booking fees apply). For further information, see www.tasteofdublin.ie.
26 swords gazette 8 October 2015
SWORDSCLASSIFIEDS planning Notice Fingal county council
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The Board of Management for Holy Family Senior National School, River Valley, Swords, Co. Dublin, wish to apply for Planning Permission for a new two storey extension to the existing two storey Classroom block located along the Southern boundary of the school, to provide 2 No. mainstream Classrooms with toilet facilities and circulation. Permission to include the relocation of the existing pedestrian access gate from its current location to the Western end of Forest Dale. The Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. 25121
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8 October 2015 swords gazette 27
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Gazette
28 gazette 8 October 2015
SPORT
FastSport O’Gorman trio propels waves to shield win: AINE O’Gorman bagged a hat-trick as UCD Waves ran in six goals in their victory over Kilkenny United in Buckley Park in the Women’s National League Shield group stages. O’Gorman and Julie-Ann Russell both found the net in the opening 25 minutes for Eileen Gleeson’s side before Jenny O’Keefe grabbed Kilkenny’s first goal since joining the WNL. O’Gorman restored UCD’s two-goal advantage four minutes before half-time with Orla Nolan extending their lead on 78 minutes. Ciara Grant made it 5-1 before O’Gorman finished things off. On Saturday night, Peamount United came back from a three-goal deficit to claim a 4-4 draw in gripping battle with Galway at Eamonn Deacy Park. Shelbourne Ladies’ game with Castlebar Celtic was called off.
canoeing: annual liffey marathon draws over 600 entrants
Records tumble at Descent sport@dublingazette.com
THE 56th international Liffey Descent took place last week with over 600 competitors taking part in the annual 30km race that runs from the K Club, Straffan, and finished at the Garda Boat Club, Islandbridge. With a big international entr y hailing from the USA, South Africa, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Great Britain and Ireland, the ESB released extra water from Poolaphuca dam, to make for great conditions for racing. The Senior K2 Doubles Class had some very strong crews and the anticipation of very
competitive race was on the cards. The spectators were not to be disappointed. The K2 Doubles were the first starters and the crews of Neil Fleming, Celbridge Paddlers, Robin Koenders, Netherlands, and last year’s winners Gary Mawer and Barry Watkins both from Salmon’s Leap were the first to Straffan Weir followed closely by Tom Daniels/Andy Daniels of Great Britain, Peter Egan/Mathias Hamars (Salmon Leap/ Norway), the Van Reit brothers from South Africa and the mixed doubles crew of Jenny Egan and Jon Simmons all negotiated Straffan Weir safely. Fleming and Koend-
ers were setting the pace down through the area known as the “Jungle” where boats have to go in single file due to the low overhanging trees. The river is also very narrow in this area for four miles, especially so with these six boats so close together. T he next weir on the course was Temple Mills and all the crews got safely over it with the exception of Egan/ Hamars who unfortunately damaged the boat badly thus ending their race. Fleming/Koenders now had the bit between their teeth and were pulling away from the rest of the field as they reached Leixlip Dam where competitors have
Jenny Egan and Jon Simmons broke the mixed K2 doubles record
to exit their boats and run 500m and re-enter the river just above Leixlip Bridge. At Lucan, there was a two-minute gap with Fleming/Koenders still in the lead. Mawer/ Watkins, the Van Reit brothers, Daniels/Daniels and Egan/Simmons were not making any inroads on the leading boat. And so it was for the rest of the race with Fleming/Koenders winning impressively having extended their lead to three minutes in
a time of 1.48.32. Mawer /Barry were some three minutes adrift in second place in a time of 1.51.00 and the South African crew finished in third in 1.51.42. The mixed doubles crew of Jenny Egan / John Simmons had a superb race, finishing in fifth position overall, winning the class in a new course record timer of 1.53.26, beating their previous time of 1.56.20. The men’s senior K1 race saw Tom Brennan
lead from pillar to post, racing very impressively to win his first Senior K1 title. John Boyton from Great Britain finished second and Mick Brennan of TPCC took the bronze medal. The junior men’s K1 was won by Eamon Forrestal TPCC, Ronan Foley of KCC second and Brian O’Neill SLCC third. In the Masters K1, SLCC’s Malcolm Banks won gold as did Gerry Collins/Brian Gallagher both SCCC won the Masters K2 class.
Four wins from four for Dublin side in EY league sport@dublingazette.com
Nikki Evans and Anna O’Flanagan celebrate during the Hermes win over Ards. Picture: Deryck Vincent
DUBLIN clubs completed a clean sweep in the women’s EY Hockey League with Hermes, Railway Union, Pembroke and UCD all winning last Saturday afternoon on day two of the competition. Indeed, Hermes and Railway retained their 100% records with emphatic victories Railway Union recorded their second successive win against Cork-based opposition and are yet to concede a goal in two games to date in the league. They
beat UCC 4-0 with alumni Julia O’Halloran on the mark twice in the victory at the Mardyke. Hermes, meanwhile, scored an emphatic 5-1 win over Ulster league and cup champions Ards with Anna O’Flanagan boosting her goalscoring tally to five in two games. She opened the scoring only for Chloe Brown – back in the Ards line-up having missed the first round – to equalise in a lively first phase. Nikki Evans added her first goal for the club since returning from UCD to restore the two-goal
advantage before teenagerAmber Curran, with her first senior goal for the club, built a 3-1 lead for Hermes. O’Flanagan and international team mate Evans added an extra flourish to the final score. Pembroke produced comeback of the round when they struck twice in the last 12 minutes to beat Pegasus 2-1 having trailed to Hannah Grieve’s third quarter strike. Sarah Clarke’s second goal in successive weeks levelled matters before Eanna Horan nabbed a dramatic winner with less than
three minutes to go. UCD, meanwhile, were comfortable 4-0 victors over Greenfields with Galway native Elaine Carey scoring twice against the side from her home town. She scored the first and third goals, sandwiching Millie O’Donnell’s powerful sweep shot. Katie Mullan completed the victory in the third quarter. On the men’s side, Pembroke beat Cookstown 3-1 in Co Tyrone while Monkstown were 5-2 winners at Lisnagarvey. TRR drew 1-1 at Annadale to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
8 October 2015 gazette 29
Gazette
Ger ends Dub career sufficiently satisfied St Vincent’s club man brings down the curtain on a glittering spell with the Dublin senior footballers after two All-Ireland titles and five Leinster crowns, writes NATHAN KELLY WITH five Leinster, two All-Ireland and one National Football League medal safely hanging in the cabinet, former All-Star Ger B r e n n a n t h i s we e k announced his retirement from intercounty football. The St Vincent’s man confirmed he was stepping away from the panel on Monday following a frustrating couple of years due to an Achilles injury. T he defender had been hampered by the injury since the 2013 AllIreland final, in which he played a crucial part, but returned to competitive action on Saturday in St Vincent’s Dublin senior football championship second round tie against Ballymun. His statement read: “It is with both satisfaction and sadness that I
announce my retirement from inter-county football. I am sufficiently satisfied that I have fulfilled my boyhood dreams to wear the Dublin senior football team jersey and to achieve success on and off the field of play. “I also feel sadness that a particular journey of my life is coming to a close, and I will miss everything that is associated with representing my county,” said the 30-year-old who made his championship debut when coming off the bench in the 2007 Leinster Final. “W hile the public might measure a team’s success by the trophies raised, I feel I have won far more through the lifelong bonds and friendships I have developed with so many players and management throughout my career; and for these
I am truly grateful. “I have been fortunate to have played for Dublin every year since I was 13 years of age and it has immeasurable enhanced the quality of my life. “I would like to thank the many people who have inf luenced my personal, spiritual and sporting development to date. “Thanks to Jim Gavin, Pat Gilroy and Pillar Caffrey for placing their faith in me to wear the senior jersey. “To my club, St Vincent’s and the many coaches and volunteers who dedicated themselves to my advancement, thank you. A particular thanks to Mickey Whelan, a close friend and a mentor, whose blueprint permeates the person I am today. “To the Gaelic Players Association for their
Ger Brennan has announced his retirement from intercounty football
continued interest in my wellbeing and development, thank you. And to the Dublin County Board and the Dublin supporters, a sincere thank you for all of the support throughout the years. “Finally, I would like to thank the Dublin
als and a national league title. “An outstanding leader both on and off the field of play Ger inspired those around him by his actions of self-determination, self-sacrifice and dedication to his sport – all focused on the team being the best it could
--------------------------------------------------------
‘Playing for Dublin every year since I was 13 years of age has immeasurably enhanced my life’ - Ger Brennan --------------------------------------------------------
players, my friends, my family and especially my parents, Mary and PJ, for always been there for me through good times and in bad.” Dublin boss Jim Gavin was quick to voice his praise for Brennan, paying tribute to the tenacious defender by saying: “On behalf of the Dublin Gaelic Athletic Association and the Dublin senior football team, I would like to wish Ger the very best wishes as he announces his retirement from inter-county football. “Ger had a long and distinguished career representing the county of Dublin from a young age and through minor, Under-21 and senior grades. “A two-time All-Ireland winner, Ger also won five Leinster med-
be. “An exemplary individual and gentleman; Ger’s humility, poise and grace are a credit to his family, friends and club St Vincent’s and Dublin GAA wish Ger the very best on his new journey.” Gavin’s tributes were shortly followed by plenty in Dublin GAA circles, with Brennan’s clubmate Eamon Fennell taking to Twitter to say: “Congrats on an amazing inter-county career. A real leader both on and off the pitch. Dublin’s loss is Vincent’s gain.” Current Dublin star Kevin McManamon also took to Twitter to praise Brennan. “Best of luck to Dublin legend Ger Brennan on his retirement. “First man to welcome me at my first training in 2005 for the 21s, sadly missed.”
FastSport
The hosts dream is over as Aussies ooze class For the duration of the Rugby World Cup, ex-Edinburgh and Marlboro player and IRANZ Level 5 rugby coach Dennis Bowes will give his thoughts on the key battles in the RWC15. WHAT a big weekend of rugby! We saw Japan’s second win in the World Cup, Eddie Jones’ plan coming to fruition and doing something they have never done before in any edition of the competition – something truly great for Asian rugby. Then Argentina looked strong with a big win over Tonga. Along the way, it seems they have recruited a new mascot in none other than Diego Maradona - will they have the hand of god on their side come the quarters? Scotland faced the under pressure South Africa who, after being slated for their earlier loss to Japan, came out and simply bullied Scotland out of the game. They now look like a real handful and maybe serious contenders for the World Cup. The big game came on Saturday night with the host England needing a win to keep their dream alive and this turned into a nightmare for them. In a one-sided game against an Australian team who just oozed class, they showed serious intent to open this World Cup wide open. The Aussies beat England at the set piece and their scrum tore the hosts to shreds while their attacking flair and shape was just so much better than anything seen this world cup so far. Goodbye England – look out the rest of the challengers, Australia are here! For Ireland, this was the first time that questions have been asked of them and they were worked very hard by an Italian team with not much form but loads of heart and bags of pride. Ireland sneaked this one and now need to show that they have the big game to win this group and beat a French team under the same pressure. Will we see the real Ireland win this group and show that they are the real deal? Next Sunday evening we will have our quarter finalists - will we have a surprise or two?
Gazette
30 SWORDS gazette 8 October 2015
SPORT
FastSport
Soccer: malahide make it four wins in a row in sunday senior
Swords Thunder open season with strong win GCD SWORDS Thunder got their men’s basketball Premier League campaign off to a winning start, defeating fellow Dublin side Eanna 103-92 as they look to go one better than their maiden season in the competition when they finished as runners-up to C&S Neptune. The Swords side looked comfortable at the break when commanding a healthy 18-point lead 59-41 at half time against a side debuting in the division. Alex Dolenko landed 25 points while there were impressive hauls from Dan Nelms and Juan Farrellas with 16 and 13 points respectively. Reflecting on the tie, the club reported that “we kept opening up a comfortable lead but the Southsiders, in their first premiership season, wouldn’t stop fighting but we showed our experience and closed out the game eventually by 11 in the end. “It was a good team win considering we had five players sitting out. “We would like to wish Eanna the best of luck in the league this season ahead.” Swords will play their first home game of the season on Saturday evening in ALSAA when they take on the UL Eagles at 6pm. Entry is €5 for adults and €3 for students with children going in free.
Fingal fall to UCD on day of Leinster league FINGAL hockey club fell to a 4-2 defeat in their second game of the Leinster league Division 1 season, succumbing to a David Nolan hat trick. Gerry Wheeler’s side responded well to an early deficit to equalise via Shane Dempsey’s superb
drag-flick, tying the game up at 1-1. But further goals from Nolan and the lively Andrew Ramsay saw UCD pull away from Fingal in the second half. Stalwart defender Eamonn Bane did pop up with a second goal for his side but it was too late for them to forge a big comeback. Fingal have an off-weekend this Saturday before facing league and cup action the next weekend.
Malahide United have been on an excellent run of form to date this season
United top of LSL table
lsl sunday senior Malahide United Glenville sport@dublingazette.com
2 0
SIX games into the 201516 LSL Senior Sunday Division and Malahide United are sitting pretty at the top of the table. T he Gannon Park side reached the summit of the LSL for the first time this season thanks to a 2-0 win away at Glenville last Sunday morning. Malahide started the better in this clash at Palmerstown Community College, seeing more of the ball but for lengthy periods, not cre-
ating too much. Their patience paid off however when on 40 minutes, after some lacklustre defending from the hosts who failed to clear the ball twice, Danny Mahon nipped in to fire Pierce Walsh’s side ahead. United took that lead into the break but Glenville came out looking fired up after the break. Wayne Kelly’s men created two fantastic chances, first to level and then another that could have put them ahead within five minutes but the newly promoted side failed to convert both efforts.
future football Swords Manor shine at Abbotstown festival swords Manor FC Under-10s played their part in the McDonald’s Future Football National Finals where more than145 boys and girls from 18 local football teams from around Ireland got the chance to play at Abbotstown. McDonald’s FAI Future Football is a programme, launched in 2013, designed to support clubs and enhance the work they do at local level. Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
After that, Malahide began to dominate once more. Glenville began to up their efforts in chasing the game and in doing so, left gaps at the back. They were punished for the exposure on 73 minutes when Dave McCoy seized upon a loose ball and fired home a sweet strike. A third could have been added on a couple of occasions but United ultimately closed the game out in comfortable fashion. The win is their fourth on the trot which will please Walsh no end. Their season began with a 1-1 draw at
home against Firhouse and they followed that by losing at Bluebell. Since then however, wins in the league have come against Drumcondra, Tolka Rovers, Greystones United and now Glenville. Being knocked out of the FAI Intermediate Cup by league rivals St Mochta’s will have hurt the Malahide side but it may allow them to attach more attention to maintaining this early league form. Behind them in the table is UCD, another whose league position may come as a bit of a surprise at this stage.
Having played a game less, UCD could make first spot their ow n should they play that spare game soon. One could guess the players and staff at Malahide won’t be getting carried away too soon however. This side, minus the additions brought in over the summer, finished just two points safe from relegation last season. But the fact that they’ve already won more than half of the number games they did in the whole of last season’s league campaign does give cause for optimism.
8 October 2015 SWORDS gazette 31
Gazette
championship final
Finian’s stung by final quarter St Jude’s blitz
Club Noticeboard FINGALLIANS
st finian’s came up just short in their bid
for the Dublin junior D football championship title as they fell to St Jude’s last weekend ing the final. They were ultimately undone by a late burst from Jude’s who came back from 0-6 to 1-9 to behind to score an incredible 1-6 without reply in the last 17 minutes to swing the tie their way after Finian’s had made most of the early running.
TWO weeks ago, we won the junior B
the father of modern Gaelic football,
football championship. Not to be out-
will have a cinema release in Swords
done, our third team gained promo-
this Friday, October 9.
tion and won the league with victory over Clann Mhuire on Sunday. Our first team beat Thomas Davis
Wednesday, October 21 and Thurs-
on Saturday to set up an interme-
day, October 22 from 3-5pm and
diate B championship final in two
7-9pm on both evenings.
weeks.
football: north county quintet on shortlist
The mobile Irish Blood Transfusion service will be available in the club on
Some 3,000 units (pints) of blood
Thank you to Paul Flynn and Nico-
are needed overall each week to
la Fitzgerald for bringing the Sam
cater for emergency and routine
Maguire cup to six of our Swords
cases requiring transfusions of blood
primary schools on Friday morning.
and blood products in hospitals all
They were also joined by Dublin ladies
over the country.
Sinead, Niamh and Emer.
Blood donors are especially need-
A date for additional schools, our
ed at this time to meet the needs
nursery and a night in the club will
of those who are depending on the
follow in the coming weeks. Check out
resources of the transfusion service
Facebook for all the pictures.
to be available to them.
Well done to our U-12 boys on win-
The date of Thursday, November
ning the Division 2 Camaint final in
19 has been set for this year’s annual
Parnell Park on Saturday afternoon.
general meeting. Further information
Kevin Heffernan Wrapped up in
on a date the accounts will be avail-
Blue: A feature length documentary
able to members will be announced in
film about the life and times of Heffo,
the coming weeks.
ST FINIAN’S
Fingallians’ Sinead Finnegan in action against Monaghan. Picture: GAAPics.com
Finnegan makes 2015 All-Star shortlist
sport@dublingazette.com
FINGALLIANS Sinead Finnegan was among 10 Dublin ladies footballers to be named on the shortlist for the 2015 LGFA TG4 All-Star awards as part of a large contingent from the north county. She was joined on the list by St Sylvester’s Niamh McEvoy, Clann Mhuire’s Carla Rowe, Skerries Harps’ Lyndsey Davey and St Margaret’s Muireann Ni Scanaill following their fine year in sky blue that ultimately ended in a narrow AllIreland final defeat to Cork at the end of Sep-
tember. Olwen Carey, Ciara Trant, Sinead Goldrick, Sorcha Furlong and Noelle Healy were the other Dubs to make the shortlist that celebrates the top performers from the past year. Cork have 11 nominees for the prizes Goldrick could claim her fourth All Star in a row with team captain, Davey and Healy hoping to make it back to back wins. Finnegan, Furlong, Ni Scanaill and McEvoy are all receiving their first nominations for an award. Galway and Kerry both
received five nominations each with Monaghan and Donegal receiving three each. Waterford are rewarded for their TG4 All Ireland Intermediate championship win with 3 nominations including team captain Linda Wall and her sister, Aileen, with Maria Delahunty also receiving her first All Star nomination. 2014 Player’s Player of the Year Caroline O’Hanlon is nominated for what would be her fourth All Star Award and is joined by team mate Aimee Mackin who earns her first nomination.
Mayo great Cora Staunton is nominated for what would be her 10th All Star award, should she receive an award on November 14 she will become the joint most successful All Star, bringing her level with Kerry great, Mary Jo Curran. Fiona McHale is also nominated from Mayo with Aine Tighe of Connacht Intermediate champions, Leitrim, also nominated. Cork’s Mar tina O’Brien is nominated for her first All Star award in the goalkeeping position along with Dublin’s Trant and Linda Martin of Monaghan.
THERE was disappointment for our
More volunteers are needed from
junior footballers in the D champion-
each team in order to minimise the
ship county final versus St Jude’s. We
time on the stand for each member.
had a great turnout from supporters
The lotto jackpot was €5,100 this
at the game and we wish to thank John
week and the numbers drawn were
Moore and Dublin Bus for supplying a
1, 4, 11 and 12. There was no jackpot
bus for our supporters.
winner. The €25 lucky dip prize win-
There was more great success from
ners were: Stephanie Ryan, Eamonn
our U-13 camogie team who qualified
Murphy, Aaron Caul and B Wacy. Next
for the championship A shield final
week’s jackpot will be €5,200.
after a win over St Jude’s. The setting up of a lotto sales desk in SuperValu Boriomhe was a good suc-
The annual general meeting is set for November 5 at 9pm. Nominations must be submitted by October 15.
cess on Saturday. Many thanks to the
The annual Charity Valley Walk for
following members who manned the
the Irish Cancer Society will take place
desk for an hour each: Jim Conway,
on Saturday, October 10. Meet at Pea-
Edel Dunne, Warren Hanley, Liz McK-
cock’s car park in River Valley, Swords
enna, Breege Kennedy, Aine McClean
at 1pm for registration. Walk starts at
and Mary Murray.
2pm.
FINGAL Ravens THERE was no lotto winner. Num-
Kettle’s Country House (Snug bar);
bers drawn were 15, 21, 32 and 37;
€50 per ticket with 50% payout. To
€20 to Paddy Cosgrave, Theresa
reserve your place, please contact
McDona gh and Ollie Kavana gh.
Ann Fox on 086 1771027. All support
Our lotto jackpot is now capped at
appreciated.
€17,000.
A huge thank you to Darren Daly,
Commiserations to our U-15 boys
Paul Flynn, Johnny Cooper and Jack
on their defeat to O’Toole’s on Sun-
McCaffrey for bringing Sam back to
day morning in their championship
Fingal last Wednesday.
quar ter-final. Hard luck to Pat, Mick, Paul and the lads.
It is every club’s ambition to have a player represent them at county
We would like to congratulate
level and we have been fortunate to
Darragh and Ciara Kavanagh on the
have Darren fly the flag for Fingal
birth of their baby boy Ollie.
Ravens for many years now.
We are hosting a poker classic on Friday, October 9 at 8.30pm in
We are extremely proud of Darren’s achievements to date.
GazetteSPORT all of your swords sports coverage from page 28-31
moving on up: Malahide United move top of the LSL with their fourth win from six matches to date P31
October 8-14, 2015
Brennan steps away: Ger retires from Dubs after glittering career in blue P29
The Naomh Mearnog inter hurlers will find out who their final opponent is in midweek
Mearnog’s inter focus
Portmarnock club gunning for county glory as they ready themselves for either Castleknock or St Jude’s in Sunday’s decider at O’Toole Park
nathan kelly
sport@dublingazette.com
O’TOOLE Park will be a swarm of black and amber this Sunday as Naomh Mearnog line out for the Dublin intermediate hurling championship final. As of Wednesday afternoon, Mearnog’s were unsure of who they will face in the county final, with the second semi-final between Castleknock and St Jude’s taking place later that evening. Regardless, we spoke to the Portmarnock side’s boss David Kennedy to get his thoughts ahead of the final. “It’s a bit more difficult to preview it when you don’t know who you’re playing yet,” said
Kennedy. “We know very little about St Jude’s as we haven’t come across them this year. “We played Castleknock in the group stages of the championship earlier in year. We were on the wrong end of a seven-point victory that day. It was a bad day for us and they played really well. We know why certain things went wrong in that game and, if we were to face them again, I’d hope we’d do better.” There will no doubt have been a few Mearnog eyes at Somerton Park on Wednesday night to watch that semi-final but Kennedy maintained that the most important preparation was that done on Mearnog’s own training ground. “We’ve been focusing on our strengths and
what we need to work on more than anything else,” he said. “We thought about training more nights this week but decided we’d stick with our Tuesday and Thursday schedule and give our lads a few days off before the final. “Most of them are experienced enough now to realise how to prepare themselves in the week leading up to a county final.” When asked if he thought not having a midweek game compared to their final opposition was an advantage, the Mearnog man admitted that may be how it looked on paper, but he wouldn’t shout it from the rooftops. “It’s a tricky one,” he said. “I know it might be easy to say we could be fresher and prepare more on the training field, but whoever wins
on Wednesday night will be in great spirits and bring serious momentum into Sunday. “They are two good teams; young and mobile, so in that sense, you would say that playing two games in a week wouldn’t bother them too much. “Our squad is looking as if everyone should be fit and ready come Sunday, and naturally we’d be hoping for a very competitive game Wednesday, which leaves lads a bit sore afterwards. “But again, even at that, coming out on top in a competitive semi-final and going straight into a final could put the advantage in the other team’s hand. It’ll be an interesting to see how it works out.”