Dublin Gazette: West Edition

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DEC 27, 2019 - JAN 1, 2020

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THE LATEST NEWS & SPORT FROM SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL AREA

DublinGazette 

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DUBLINMAGAZINE: Take a break from DUBLIN

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DEC 27, 2019 - JAN 1, 2020

West Edition FREE

THE LATEST NEWS & SPORT FROM SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL AREA

SPORT

BOXING: Michael

Carruth on Olympic gold that almost never was. SEE P28-29

puzzles

GIVE YOUR BRAIN A TRICKY CHRISTMAS WORKOUT PAGE 23 SANTA Claus teamed up with Adi Roche, founder of Chernobyl Children International, to welcome Chernobyl children to Dublin Airport at the start of their annual Christmas visit to Ireland. Some 30 special needs children from a Belarusian orphanage arrived to stay with families all across the capital and beyond, many of whom were returning to visit host families they’ve previously met, and all of whom gain enormously from even their brief three-week stay in Ireland. Picture: Brian McEvoy

HAPPY CHRISTMAS Thank you to all of our loyal readers and advertisers for your support in 2019, and we wish you the very best during this festive season of peace and goodwill to all.

OUR NEXT EDITION IS OUT ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 2

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Removal of mental health services blasted by local TDs PADRAIG CONLON THE withdrawal of mental health services from premises in Clondalkin has been blasted by all four Dublin Mid-West TDs. This is after Jigsaw, a charity for youth mental health, last week amalgamated it’s supports into a new centre in Tallaght.

With Clondalkin and the surrounding area recording the second highest

number of referrals for mental health services in the country, many working in the sector locally are now extremely concerned over the detrimental effect the move may have on young people’s ability to access help.

The deeply troubling issue was raised in the Dail last week with the Minister for Health by local Deputies John Curran, Eoin Ó Broin, Gino Kenny and Mark Ward under Topical Issues.

Fianna Fail TD John Curran said that in previous discussions, Minister of State Jim Daly had “guaranteed” the local TDs a substantial outreach service would remain for north Clondalkin.

“Unfortunately, however, the director of services at Jigsaw stated this week that the Clondalkin service was to relocate to a new premises at the end of the week and that outreach services have not been secured,” Dep-

uty Curran told the Dail.

“The director went on to state that, therefore, there is now likely to be an interim period during which all appointments will take place in Tallaght.

“That is not acceptable or workable. We have been promised, and as a community we expect, a substantial outreach service to continue in north Clondalkin.”

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CONCERN: THIRD CHRISTMAS WORKING OVERSEAS

Aid worker spending Christmas in one of world’s poorest places  PADRAIG CONLON

pconlon@dublingazette.com

A LOCAL aid worker will spend this Christmas helping people suffering from natural disasters and war in one of the world’s poorest countries.

Kate Higgins Jackson from Palmerstown is a grants manager with Concern Worldwide in Somalia, East Africa where the aid agency is responding to climate disasters and helping refugees fleeing conflict.

This will be Kate’s third Christmas in-a-row working overseas with Concern after spending the last two years in Afghanistan.

“The work is intense, never ending, but is also all-consuming, but it also some of the most rewarding work I have ever done,” Kate said.

“I have seen with my own eyes how vast the

Kate Higgins Jackson from Palmerstown

camps for displaced persons are in Somalia; people in tents as far as the eye can see. The numbers are inconceivable!

“Attending our centres where we treat babies and children under five who are malnourished, I saw how they have no other options and would not otherwise have a fighting chance.”

Kate said she will really miss Christmas at home

with her mother and father and her younger sister.

“My colleagues will of course wish me well during Christmas, but it isn’t something that is really partaken in,” she said.

“Concern Somalia’s office will be open Christmas Eve and day and also St. Stephen’s Day and I’ll be working all three days.”

“I miss my family all year round, particular at

Christmas, but I also get to find the real Christmas spirit and values half way around the world surrounded by strangers,” she said.

“When you work overseas with other international staff at Christmas, everyone is missing their families so we enjoy each other’s company and create a good bond by making the most of our situation – while also getting our work done.”

Kate’s work with charities began when she was a student at Mount Sackville Secondary School in Castleknock when she was involved with community volunteer youth groups, and since graduating from university, she has worked for several overseas aid organisations.

In addition to emergency response work, Kate has also been involved with Concern programme activities, including an education programme that helps women with literacy difficulties.

Local TDs blast removal of mental health services FROM PAGE 3 Sinn Fein TD Eoin O Broin said in recent months he and his fellow local TDs believed a solution had been found.

“There was the possibility of colocating Jigsaw with one or two other services, and negotiations were under way,” he said.

“As Deputy Curran noted, we learned on Monday [16] of this week that the options have not proved successful and that from next week there will be no physical presence for this vital mental health service for young people in the constituency.

“The Jigsaw lease on the current premises will not expire until April and there is still time to resolve the issue.”

Deputy Gino Kenny (PBP), said local young people are being left

high and dry when it comes to mental health services.

He said: “What this is about is keeping mental health provisions in north Clondalkin and the wider area of Dublin Mid-West.

“If the status of Jigsaw goes through then Dublin Mid-West, including Clondalkin, Lucan and Rathcoole will not have any provision whatsoever. That would be a bad, bad day for the young people of Dublin Mid-West.”

Deputy Mark Ward (SF) said any withdrawal of services could be a matter of life and death for local young people.

He said: “The service, with which I am personally familiar, was born out of necessity following a spate of youth suicides, not least in north Clondalkin.

“I have been accused in the past of taking the issue personally, which I do. Many of the young people who have died were children of friends and neighbours of mine.

“If there is another youth suicide in Clondalkin or Lucan after the service is removed from the area, we will be left to ask ourselves whether the person would still be alive if Jigsaw had maintained the level of service it now has.”

All four local TDs asked the Minister of State, Jim Daly, to intervene directly in the issue.

In response to the local TDs, Finian McGrath said: “Deputies can rest assured that the Minister of State will continue to monitor this issue carefully. I will bring the valid arguments that have been made by deputies ... to the attention of the Minister.”

FASTNews

Zappone in spotlight as her failure to answer question angers opposition Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Equality, Immigration and Integration, Fiona O’Loughlin, said it is completely unacceptable that the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone “can’t answer a simple question as to how many refuge centres are in the country.”

“That the Minister would have to defer to Tusla to provide very basic information such as this is totally unacceptable,” Deputy O Loughlin said.

“It is her remit, it is her responsibility, yet she is unacceptably uninformed.

“There is an epidemic of violence against women and the fact that the Minister could not provide this information as a matter of course shows the complete lack of interest she has in this area.

“Some women and children fleeing violence are left with little option but

Katherine Zappone to return to their abuser by virtue of the lack of refuge spaces.

“Safe Ireland, the national social change agency working to end domestic viaolence, annual report shows that on 3,256 occasions last year, victims of domestic violence had to be turned away as services were full – an average of nine requests per day.

“Last month alone, Dublin’s largest refuge, Aoibhneas, said that in 2018 it had to turn away 365 families who were looking for accommodation.

Tesco hits 10 million meal donation mark TESCO IRELAND has announced that it has reached a monumental 10 million meals donated through its Tesco Surplus Food Donations programme, in partnership with FoodCloud.

These 10 million meals have supported more than 350 local community groups across Ireland, including family resource centres, soup kitchens, youth services, homeless organisations, meals on wheels, and more This milestone 10 million meals announcement fell just ahead of Tesco’s annual Christmas eve surplus food donation drive, which saw Tesco organising food for those in need for Christmas day.

Tesco Ireland has also donated seven decommissioned Grocery Home Shopping vans to FoodCloud, fully replacing a fleet donated to them in 2017.

This fleet of vans assists FoodCloud in its lifechanging work to reduce food poverty across Ireland.

Kari Daniels, chief executive, Tesco Ireland, said: “Our partnership with FoodCloud celebrates a monumental milestone of reaching over 10 million meals donated to more than 350 community groups across Ireland, since 2014.

“This milestone has surpassed all expectations but shows what a difference we can make when we come together to work towards a better future.”

27 December 2019 - 1 January 2020 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

EXCLUSIVE: TEMPLE ROAD TAKES TOP SPOT WITH AVERAGE HOUSE SELLING FOR €5.5M

Milltown millionaires make quiet street the most costly in Dublin SYLVIA POWNALL

IRELAND’S most expensive street is now Temple Road near Milltown in south Dublin, according to the latest property wealth report.

The salubrious postcode had three properties which traded for several million euro in 2019 – with an average price tag of €5.5 million.

By location, the most expensive markets are all in Dublin, according to the report published by property website Daft.ie, which shows prices continuing to rise.

The average asking price in Mount Merrion is now €777,000, followed by Dalkey with a mean of €743,000, and Sandycove with an average cost of €740,000.

By comparison, the average asking price nationwide is €257,000, and Roscommon is still the only county where average property prices remain less than €100,000.

The report shows that 11 streets had two or more homes sold for €2 million euro or higher in 2019 so far – all of them in the capital.

Four of those streets are in Dublin 6, which encompasses the upmarket suburbs of Harold’s Cross, Milltown, Ranelagh, Rathgar, Rathmines and Terenure.

The highest concentration of property millionaires is in Dublin’s Dalkey, with 276, followed by Ranelagh (252) and Ballsbridge (235).

Outside of Dublin, Enniskerry in Co Wicklow is the most expensive market with average property values of €619,000.

In Munster, Kinsale is the most expensive (€383,000), and Kinvara in Connacht-Ulster (€317,000) is the costliest market in its region.

The value of all residential property in Ireland has increased at a rate of €15 million euro a day since last year.

The current total stands at over €519 billion – up from €514 billion a year ago.

Ho u se p r i ce s a re growing by 1% year-onyear, and 715 properties have been sold so far this year that are worth one million euro or more.

Economist Ronan

Quiet and leafy Temple Road, near Milltown, is now Ireland’s most expensive street, according to the latest property wealth report Picture: Google Maps

Lyons, author of the report, said: “In the past 12 months, Ireland’s housing wealth has increased by just 1%, or

€5.3 billion.

“Almost all of this increase – just over €5.1 billion – has come from newly-built homes add-

ing to the stock of housing.

“The much more modest increase in the average value of all homes

– €1.1bn – is almost entirely offset by losses due to depreciation and obsolescence, some €0.9 bn.”

Snow much fun at The Civic Panto SEEING as it’s Christmas it must be time to hit the theatre for an annual dose of joyful panto fun.

Dublin Gazette was lucky enough to attend The Civic Panto Gala VIP Night last week to sample this year’s excellent offering, Snow White.

A full house which included noted guests like Mayor Vicki Casserly, 2FM DJ Ruth Scott, Rebecca Grimes and Sorcha Furlong from Fair City, comedian Enya Martin, and actors Seana Kerslake, Ste Jones and Rex Ryan were treated to a wonderful night’s entertainment in Tallaght.

The well-known and much-loved story of how Snow White (Megan Clarke) is terrorised by Evil Queen Cruella (Lauren Nevin) and rescued by her Prince (Conor O Brien) is packed with great song and dance routines, hilarious comedy and dazzling scenes.

Other outstanding performances are given by Dame Dotty (Morgan Crowley), Magic Mirror (Eimear Morrissey) and Tickles (Kevin Keeley) who between them manage to bring the house down.

The show is also enhanced by the 42 amazingly talented children from 21 different stage and dance schools from

all over Leinster who provide awesome dancing and singing throughout the performance.

This festive favourite is guaranteed fun for all the family, from age 4 to 90!

There is plenty here for everyone including loads of audience participation as well as several surprises thrown in too for good measure.

Snow White runs until January 5th with two performances daily and a sensory friendly performance.

The Civic Panto is great value for money with a Family Ticket €65 (2 adults & 2 children) and of course free parking in The Civic car park from 4pm.

Tickets are available from http://bit. ly/CivicSnowWhite19

President honours The Rising’s leaders PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins and his wife, Sabina, joined stonemasons of the OPW’s National Monuments Division at a ceremony at Aras an Uachtarain to give effect to a resolution adopted by the first Dail Eireann in 1919.

A century later on from that historic meeting, the President and his wife placed commemorative plaques with

the names of those executed after the 1916 Easter Rising alongside 16 birch trees newly planted in the gardens at the Aras, honouring the legacy and sacrifice of the Rising leaders, as well as honouring the anniversary commemoration recorded in the minutes of that very first Dail Eireann meeting. Picture: Maxwell’s

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 27 December 2019 - 1 January 2020

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Mary Bueno shares some fun with other guests

Bernard Gilna, architect with Siobhan Feehan, Deansrath Family Centre director. Pictures: Brian McEvoy Photography

Mary Devine and Carol Redmond

Clondalkin community thanked for its support T

HE Happy Pear Round Tower hosted a Christmas ‘Jingle and Mingle’ reception recently, where Siobhan Feehan, director of Deansrath Family Centre, thanked the Clondalkin community for rallying around to help after the recent attempted robbery.

Thanking those in attendance and the wider com-

Fiona Slevin, chairman, Deansrath Family Centre with Liam Ryan, of SAP

Stephen Faloon

munity, she said: “Just weeks ago we were on our uppers, looking at a wrecked closed centre with nowhere to host essential services for more than 150 familes. The community of Clondalkin rallied around and are providing temporary accomodation to keep social services going.”

Designs for a planned new Deansrath centre were also

on show at the reception. Designed by architect Bernard Gilna, the new centre will be a state-of-the-art facility which will be a national model for family and early learning supports. Adding to the sense of community support, the Clondalkin Youth Band played brilliantly, adding a dash of festive fun to the community-focused event.

The Clondalkin Youth Band played wonderfully at the centre

Ali and Sophie Devine

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8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 27 December 2019 - 1 January 2020

RESEARCH: MAJOR SHORTAGE OF SERVICES SHOWN

1 in 3 Tallaght teens experiencing mental health difficulties

Snow White reigns supreme in Civic showing of classic CHRISTMAS competition winners Emer Coughlan, Noah & Finn O’ Leary, Louise Coughlan were pictured at the Civic panto of Snow White. The panto runs twice daily until January 5th and tickets are still available. Picture: Martin Nagle

UP to one third of young people in the Tallaght region experience mental health difficulties and face a major gap in accessing services, according to new research on youth mental health.

The report, commissioned by the Childhood Development Initiative (CDI) and carried out by Trinity College Dublin, researched the needs of 12 to 18 year olds living in the Tallaght region.

The report found that among the 11,000 young people in the region, up to 33% (3,654) suffer from anxiety, 31% (3,434) from depression, and 20% (2,201) from stress.

Among these, it was reported that up to 12% experience severe anxiety, 9% severe depress i o n a n d 6 % seve re stress.

The In-Betweeners: Identifying and quantifying the unmet mental health needs of children and adolescents in Tallaght study, also researched the experiences of parents and service providers.

The findings showed a major shortage of ser-

Up to one third of young people in the Tallaght experience mental health difficulties

vices, and even after formal diagnosis, many young people were still not necessarily able to access services.

This is especially the case where young people have a ‘dual diagnosis’ with more than one difficulty.

Key recommendations are for the development of outreach services including a national network of 24/7 dropin community mental health facilities, and the integration of awareness and counselling services in schools.

A d d r e s s i n g w a i t-

ing lists is also a major recommendation and requires appropriate resourc ing based on the numbers of known young people experiencing challenges.

The report recom mends that people should not be waiting more than two weeks to be seen.

CDI CEO Marian Quinn said the research showed the scale of challenge being faced to meet current service shortages.

“In the Tallaght region alone mental health services should plan for

1,500-2,000 young people,” she said.

“This calculation should be replicated at a national level in order to determine the quantity of services required throughout the country.

“People in immediate distress need a service ‘on the day’.

“A dedicated service could also offer expertise on referral pathways and for emerging challenges such as homelessness.”

The report has also recommended mental health supports being more strongly integrated into the school system.

Councillor Timmons delighted with new role LOCAL Independent Councillor Francis Timmons was recently elected Chairperson of the newly formed Dublin West MS Ireland Branch.

Speaking following the vote, Cllr Timmons told Dublin Gazette he is delighted to take on the role in the new local organisation.

“I was chair of the old branch for a number of years and I look forward to developing and building the new branch over the coming

years, and reconnecting with many people I would of met through MS over the years,” he said.

“The branch covers the whole of South Dublin, Ballyfermot, Crumlin, Walkinstown, Drimnagh and Dublin 8 and will provide a service to people living with Multiple Sclerosis in these areas.

“I would ask that anyone who can help with fundraising for the branch contact me as we will need funds to run events and provide

supports, the branch will work with MS Ireland in catering to the needs of people living with MS .

“My hope is that further research will continue to improve the quality of life for people living with MS and ultimately find a cure.”

MS Ireland also provide an MS Information Line for anyone concerned about MS which is open Monday - Friday, 10am-2pm, call 1850 233 233 or email info@mssociety.ie.

27 December 2019 - 1 January 2020 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 27 December 2019 - 1 January 2020

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK Elaine McGrath with Edel and Berni Cannon.

Pictures: Brian McEvoy Photography

Aisling and Megan Hurley

Style and glamour to fight breast cancer

Ann Eble

A

HOST of well-known faces from the world of fashion, beauty and broadcasting, along with breast cancer survivors and supporters, gathered in Marco Pierre White Courtyard Bar & Grill in Donnybrook recently. They were there for the annual Christmas fundraiser to raise funds to support Breast Cancer Ireland’s (BCI) research and awareness programmes nationally.

The event, hosted by Virgin Media broadcaster and Breast Cancer Ireland ambassador, Elaine Crowley, included a fashion show, styled by Cathy O’Connor, who along with models (including Lynn Kelly, Pat Walker, January Winters and Ann Marie Gannon) gave their services, free of charge. For further information on BCI and its services, see www.breastcancerireland.com.

Hilary Burke, Aideen McMahon and Claire Campbell

Mary Rossiter, Alexandra Gonzalez and Siobhan McMahon

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12 DUBLIN GAZETTE 27 December 2019 - 1 January 2020

STYLE P20

DUBLIN

MUSIC P16

MAGAZINE

HELP FIGHT BACK AGAINST WINTER’S WORST WITH THESE GREAT SKIN CARE PRODUCTS PAGE 20

CITROEN’S C5 AIRCROSS FIVE-SEAT SUV IMPRESSES WITH GREAT FEATURES P21

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS TAKE YOU ON A TOUR OF THE NEWS AND EVENTS ACROSS THE CITY AND COUNTY Picture: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

Set your clock – 2020’s countdown is running...

PICTURED are the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Paul McAuliffe; Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin; Paul Kelly, chief executive, Failte Ireland as they launched the programme of events for New Year’s Festival

Dublin with Walking On Cars, who will headline this year’s city centre Countdown Concert alongside special guests Ash, Lisa McHugh (pictured) and Aimee (pictured). See http:// nyfdublin.com/countdown-concert/.

27 December 2019 - 1 January 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 27 December 2019 - 1 January 2020

DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS I N F O R M AT I O N

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Heritage House, Dundrum, Dublin 14 Tel: 01 - 6010240 Dublin Gazette Newspapers publishes four weekly quality free titles, covering the latest news, sport, entertainment and lifestyle from the four local authority areas of Dublin

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www.dublingazette.com Dublin Gazette Newspapers Ltd. Terms and Conditions for acceptance of advertisements Reserve the right to omit or suspend or alter any advertisement(s) in any of its publications. We also decline any responsibility in the event of one or more of a series of advertisements being omitted for any reason whatever, nor do we accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement. If your advertisement appears incorrectly, contact the Advertising Department immediately, as responsibility cannot be accepted for more than one week’s incorrect insertion. Responsibility cannot be accepted if the complaint is made more than two weeks after insertion. If one places an advertisement for more than one week and then cancels it after the first week, no refund or credit will be given for weeks cancelled. The advertiser undertakes to indemnify the Proprietors against any liability for any civil action arising out of the publication of the advertisement or any other matter printed or published in the City Gazette, Fingal Gazette, South Gazette and West Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.

AN initiative that develops and nurtures creativity through a partnership approach between music students, their music teachers and visiting musicians has been extended to include hundreds of students across the country. Minister Joe McHugh launched the next rollout of ‘Me and My Music’ for spring 2020 recently at an event in Government Buildings with students from Central Remedial Clinic School, St Pauls College, Raheny, and Tallaght Community School. It will run in schools nationwide for first year music students from January to May 2020.

Picture shows l-r, Ethel Glancy from JCT; Daragh Heneghan, 2nd year St.Paul’s College, Raheny; Eleanor McEvoy, Chair of IMRO; Dermot O’Callaghan, Chief Executive of Sing Ireland; Sean Carroll (17) Central Remedial Clinic; Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD; Holly de Courcy, 2nd year, TCS and Tania Banotti from Creative Ireland. Picture: JULIEN BEHAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Austrian hotel drops ‘Nazi grandpa’ court case against guest THE owners of an Austrian hotel who took a visitor to court following a Trip Advisor review criticising the portrait of a “Nazi grandpa” in its lobby have dropped the case, as the guest found evidence showing the relative had been a member of the Nazi party.

The German guest posted reviews on Booking.com and TripAdvisor about a week after his visit to the hotel the Tyrolean Alps in August 2018.

He and his wife noticed pictures on a wall near the hotel’s entrance, with one showing a young man wearing a uniform with an eagle and swastika badge.

The guest said he had felt disgusted to see the image, using the heading: “At the entrance they display a picture of a Nazi grandpa”.

The owners of the hotel asked the sites to remove the reviews and took to court, saying “Nazi grandpa” was libellous and defamatory because the person in the picture had only been a member of the Wehrmacht, the armed forces of Nazi Germany.

However, by researching the identity of the two men in the photographs at the German National Archives in Berlin, he found proof that the man had in fact joined the Nazi party in 1941.

Another image appeared in the lobby, with the guest finding out this other man was also in the Nazi party.

The two men’s party membership and the clearly visible swastika, the court said, amounted to sufficient proof to back up the guest’s complaint that the hotel had “uncritically venerated a former Nazi family member”.

The hotel’s owners say they had not been aware of their relatives’ party membership.

Man bites off part of father’s ear at Mormon church A MAN in California was arrested after biting off roughly an inch of his father’s ear during a holiday party at a Mormon church.

Josue Moises Montuy was taken into custody after the incident, which occurred after his father tried to break up a fight between him and a missionary. Montuy

then turned on his father instead during the fight. Deputies found Montuy at the church in Modesto, California and arrested him.

In the meantime, his father had gotten into his car to buy super glue, driving 20 minutes to a ‘Dollar Tree’ store. Police found him before he could try to glue his ear back together and called an ambulance for him.

Toilet cobras terrorise Jakarta citizens RESIDENTS of Kembangan district in West Jakarta discovered ten venomous snakes appearing from inside their toilets late last week.

Cobras measuring an average of 20cm were found, with there believed to be 18 in total popping their heads

out of toilets in the area.

They’re understood to have previously lived in a pond inside an old warehouse but made their way into the toilets through a drainage system.

It took a group of four firemen around 30 minutes to finally catch all the snakes.

A woman said that her husband found the snakes in the toilet just as he was about to use the bathroom.

The warehouse is located near an empty plot of land and a cemetery where bamboo trees grow, and they suspected that the snakes breed there.

Woman marries another man after groom arrives late ARRIVING late to his wedding proved disastrous for one groom in India - as his potential wife married another man instead after he kept her waiting too long.

Instead of getting to the venue at 2pm, the groom and his wedding party didn’t come until much later in the night, angering the bride’s family.

According to Times of India, trouble had already been brewing over dowry demands being made by the groom’s family, and their late arrival to the wedding was the final straw.

The bride’s family accused the groom and

his father of demanding a bicycle and cash.

The groom’s family then claimed that they were beaten up by the bride’s relatives, taken captive in a room on reaching the wedding venue.

The police were then involved, with a local official saying: “Both the families approached the police. After initial arguments, both sides reached a compromise. However, the girl no longer wanted to go with the groom. There was no written complaint from either side.”

The matter was resolved amicably and the bride then married another man instead.

27 December 2019 - 1 January 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

QUIRKY THINGS THAT CAUGHT OUR EYE THIS WEEK...

TOP TWEETS ... TOP TWEETS ...

Feel like pure s**t just want one of those spraoi books you used to get every year in primary school. @Scarlet4UrMa.

When I was little I used to just assume that everybody who had a real Christmas tree in their gaff was absolutely minted as if it was a status symbol of the elite and I remember one year during the celtic tiger we got a real tree and to this day I’ve never felt so upper-middle-class. @shannonmaile

The one thing I can speak of very proudly of Ireland is our gorgeous little president I love him so much and we should all strive to be lovely gaeilgeoir poets with big dogs. @laoiseyas

I hate boring sex throw a microwave at me. @trapmami420

The best thing about babies is they have no idea what’s going on.

I was holding my baby and trying to eat but i dropped a little piece of lasagna on her and didn’t have a free hand to wipe it off so i just leaned over and ate it off her head.

She has no clue what i did. @c**tyspice

Your chances of getting killed by Jedward are low, but never zero. @SophMul

When yer da says music was better in his day he’s talking about the Cheeky Girls - Cheeky song. @jiffington

Some of Hozier’s most romantic songs include ‘Lets rot and get eaten by animals in the woods together’, ‘Lets watch the world dying and ending together’ and ‘u were trying to hide ur dark past in the dirt then u unearthed my corpse in a bog its fine were in love’. @j jongosaur

BITS & BOBS

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 27 December 2019 - 1 January 2020

Clubbers enjoying a night out elsewhere in Europe – by contrast, 2019 saw Dublin’s limited clubbing scene left teetering on the edge of extinction, with a notable dearth of options for a diverse nightlife here

Music’s highs and lows of 2019 IT CAN feel like a step forward and a step back in the current Dublin music scene.

A great band appears; a venue closes. A new festival appears, an old one – like Beatyard – threatens to disappear off the map.

As culture fights an ongoing battle for space

 JAMES HENDICOTT

and affordability in our increasingly cluttered city, here are our nods at the best (and worst) of music events from 2019...

HIGH: Rock looks set to be taken a little more seriously BEYOND a few standouts, Rock music is not all that fashionable right now – we live in the era of immaculate production values, autotuning, boisterous Hip-Hop and oneoff-hits.

The scene has always been strong, however, and is really on the rise in Ireland at the moment.

There’s always been Slane, of course, but the introduction of next summer’s Sunstroke – a first Rock and Metal-specific festival in some time – is a big moment.

There are some great gigs on the horizon, too.

LOW: The end of the Tivoli Theatre, the Bernard Shaw and, possibly, Beatyard WHILE the cultural landscape of cities has always changed, the slow death of some of Dublin’s key venues is really quite pervasive.

T h e Tivo l i , w h i c h closed its doors early in 2019, was arguably at its highest ebb when it did so.

Like the original Bernard Shaw pub, which has relocated but will struggle to regain its original status, it’ll be replaced by a hotel.

Beatyard, a casual, summery festival in Dun Laoghaire, was once a summer highlight and looks likely to depart from next summer, too.

HIGH: The appeal of the music scene is still, clearly, huge SEE festivals in particular, but also big gigs selling out time after time.

I’ve been creating the gig listings for this publication all year, and the number of sold-out shows in Dublin is astonishing; the demand is consistently huge.

Electric Picnic expanded, and still sells out.

Other festivals aren’t too

far behind, and there are more and more of them.

Ireland’s appetite for music is astonishing.

LOW: Ticket prices still feel exorbitant SURE, tours are the main way t h a t m u s i c i a n s make their money now, and that’s much of the reason why tickets are so disproportionately expensive compared to a decade ago.

With tickets in the three-figure price range not unheard of today, though, it’s hard not to feel it’s all got a little bit elitist and out of hand for the average gig-goer.

That’s not a good thing.

HIGH: The Growth of Dublin Vinyl FOR many years, there was no vinyl production facility in Ireland, which – especially for relatively small productions – made the reality of producing vinyl records more difficult for Irish acts.

Dublin Vinyl established itself a couple of years ago, but 2019 has definitely been their best yet, with the launch of subscription service, Loves Vinyl, and, shortly, a new Vinyl Hub online store.

Not a big deal to the consumer, perhaps, but it’s huge for the industry in a time of vinyl revival.

LOW: We’re losing the legends YES, simple common sense tells you that when you reach a certain age, people who grew up as ‘part of your life’ (in this case, musically), start to die, but there’ve been some major losses in music this year, ones that it’s hard to contemplate a music scene without.

Keith Flint of groundbreaking ravers The Prodigy stands out, as does experimental legend Scott Walker.

More locally, we suffered the loss of Danny Doyle, who’s ‘Rare Ould Times’ still resonates with heft in the city.

HIGH: New festivals set for 2020 THE likely loss of Beatyard in particular is a damaging one, but there are already rumours it might be replaced by something equally impressive in Dun Laoghaire.

A little more firmly booked in are Sunstroke, a new Rock festival, and a Dublin version of Brighton’s brilliant new-music showcase, The Great Escape, both of which should offer lots of colour.

It’s a bright looking year ahead, and who knows what else 2020 might bring ...

27 December 2019 - 1 January 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

WELL WORTH A LOOK AND A LISTEN

ENTERTAINMENT

Messiah

Some early 2020 Netflix highlights to watch out for RACHEL D’ARCY

A NEW month spells dozens of new additions to Netflix, with the first month in 2020 bringing some exciting new content to the platform, such as Messiah (below), starring Michelle Monaghan.

There’s also the return of some favourites, including the cult favourite Sex Education, and much more.

Here are some of our top picks of what’ll be debuting on Netflix this January ...

Messiah WHEN CIA officer Eva Geller uncovers information about a man gaining international attention through acts of public disruption, she begins an investigation into his origins.

As he continues to cultivate followers who allege he’s performing miracles, the global media become increasingly beguiled by this charismatic figure.

Anne with an E: The Final Season A MILESTONE birthday sparks a search for Anne’s origin story as she sorts out matters of the heart and starts setting a course for her future.

Omniscient IN A future where each citizen is monitored 24/7 by a drone, a woman discovers a murder unaccounted for by this surveillance system, and investigates why.

AJ and the Queen RUPAUL stars in this outrageous series as a down-on-her-luck drag queen travelling across America in a van with a tough-talking 10-yearold stowaway.

Sex Education: Season Two SEX Education is about Otis Milburn, a socially awkward high school student who lives with his sex therapist mother, Jean.

In Season Two, Otis must master his newly discovered sexual urges in order to progress with his girlfriend, Ola, whilst also dealing with his now strained relationship with Maeve.

The Stranger SECRETS, violence and a conspiracy send family man Adam Price on a desperate quest to uncover the truth about the people closest to him.

The Stranger is an eight-part Netflix original adapted from Harlan Coben’s book of the same name.

Next In Fashion NEXT In Fashion is a high-stakes competition series featuring some of the world’s best and quietly innovative designers who compete for a chance to become the next big name in fashion.

The series is hosted by fashion designer and TV personality Tan France (Queer Eye), and designer, model and global style icon, Alexa Chung.

Locked in battle ... The polar opposites whose focus needs the other to guide them – Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and Rey (Daisy Ridley)

CINEMA | JOURNEY’S END WITH STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER

A fine, imperfect finale to an inimitable series

SHANE DILLON

SPOILER: I usually hate spoilers, those annoying little “And then this happened, and then that happened...” pecks that can bleed away any sense of mystery or wits that an audience brings with them in to see any film.

So, here’s a pretty spoilerfree review of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (Cert 12A, 142mins), not just my final film review of the year, but the grand finale of the decades-running Star Wars franchise.

It’s been quite a journey, all the way from those shots of a young Luke Sykwalker dreaming of adventure to this often spectacular finale, but all journeys end, even this one.

And, here, fans are given quite an ending to savour, with a finale that successfully ties up some longstanding loose ends and does a decent, not perfect, job of paying tribute to the spirit of the films.

With everything from a final, regal appearance by the late Carrie Fisher to the return of old friends, the entire Star Wars franchise finale tries to wrap up most loose threads

The end result is a film that, as with its much criticised predecessor, is likely to divide fans as much as critics, but I suspect that this is a film that’s largely tied to the individual’s interest in Star Wars on the whole.

There’s an awful, awful lot to tie up here, with a dizzying range of locations and characters to wedge in across this dense, multilayered film.

There’s almost too much plot to get through here – some sharper editing

could have excised a number of sequences to tighten things up a bit – but still, at least you get your money’s worth.

Right at the start, I mentioned avoiding spoilers, but it’s hard to ignore a rather obvious one

revealed by the trailers: a certain cackling Emperor Palpatine, long thought to be as dead as a parrot, proves to be a force to be reckoned with once again.

However, the film rests firmly on the shoulders of the two then unknowns who started off this trilogy, Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley.

While Driver’s star has since shot into the stratosphere through some canny film choices, both prove to be superb, charismatic leads here, while as Finn, John (Boyega) again excels.

Nothing ever ends, in Cinema; no doubt there are plenty of spin-off films, tv shows, and other tales and adventures in the Star Wars universe that we’ll see from here on.

Still, even though the final, fairly conclusive Star Wars film isn’t perfect, it’s much like the franchise that led to it: a true Force to be reckoned with...

Verdict: 8/10

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 27 December 2019 - 1 January 2020

FOOD&DRINK

Our favourite Christmas foods and traditions revealed WITH Christmas Day in the rear-view mirror and 2020 on the way, the folks over at Deliveroo conducted some research to see just how important food is to us over the festive period.

In a survey, it was found that six of Ireland’s fifteen most popular festive traditions revolve around food and drink.

1. Christmas decorations 2. The Late Late Toy Show 3. Christmas adverts 4. Festive coffees 5. Mince pies 6. Christmas songs 7. Christmas sandwiches 8. Receiving the first Christmas card

9. Christmas markets (at home and abroad) 10. Christmas dinners 11. Glass of Baileys 12. Opening the first window of an Advent Calendar 13. Festive crisps and dips 14. Carol singers 15. Christmas filters on Snapchat and Instagram Further research found that the average Irish person consumes six slices of smoked salmon, two glasses of Baileys, four sandwiches, six mince pies, two glass of mulled wine, two Christmas dinners, 11 Brussel Sprouts and one croquette potato on December 25.

Although Brussel Sprouts are generally a

McDonald’s launches first ever vegan meal

divisive festive veg, 68% of Irish adults said they eat them over the period while 24% say they would take-them-or-leave-them.

Overall, food and drink were voted as the favourite parts of Christmas, with time off work following. Christmas Mass and services still hold high importance with attendance coming in third while giving and receiving gifts coming in fourth.

A Deliveroo spokesperson said: “It’s great to see food and drink playing such an important part in our celebrations.

“As well as bringing friends and family together, it’s reassuring to know that there is more to eat than Brussel Sprouts for those of us with an aversion!”

New Chef work permits announcement welcomed THE Restaurants Association of Ireland have welcomed the announcement from the Minister for Business Heather Humphreys TD, regarding chef work permits in Ireland.

The new announcement will see all chef grades now eligible for work permits, with Minister Humphreys removing commis chefs from the ineligible list for work permits.

Minister Humphreys is also removing the quota of 610 chef permits and removing the cap of two chefs per establishment.

All changes come into effect from January 1 2020.

Adrian Cummins, CEO of Restaurants Association of Ireland, said: “The Restaurants Association of Ireland is delighted that after months of lobbying, Minister Humphreys has heard our requests and has delivered this good bit of news to the industry before Christmas.

“Hopefully, these new work permits will help to alleviate staff shortages currently being experienced by the industry.

Chef shortage “This will be of benefit to all sectors in the hospitality industry and will facilitate combating the chef shortage Ireland is now experiencing.

“The lack of chef work permits available has been a huge cause of concern for our members over the past few months, and we are relieved to hear this announce-

ment this morning.”

The hospitality industry in Ireland directly employs 152,000 people and employment in tourism is projected to be 310,000 by 2025.

FAST-FOOD giants McDonald’s has announced it will be introducing its first ever vegan meal in the new year.

Veggie Dippers, made with red pepper, rice, sundried tomato pesto and split peas covered with breadcrumbs, will be available from January 2 have been accredited by the Vegan Society.

Vegan Society approved chips can accompany the Veggie Dippers to make McDonald’s first ever vegan menu.

Thomas O’Neill, Head of Food Marketing at

McDonald’s UK and Ireland said: “In the last 12 months we’ve seen an 80% uplift in customers ordering vegetarian options at McDonald’s, so it is time for the brand famous for the dippable McNugget to launch a dippable option for our vegetarian, vegan and flexitarian customers.

“The Veggie Dippers are a delicious addition to our menu and we’re looking forward to seeing what customers make of our first vegan Extra Value Meal and Happy Meal in the New Year.”

Drone food-delivery firm bags €4.7m funding round A DRONE delivery company, Manna Aero, which will launch its first food-delivery service next month, has bagged €4.7m in funding.

The Dublin-based company has partnered with delivery company Flipdish to provide the service.

Founder Bobby Healy said that air-clearance has been given by Irish regulators to launch the drones and will begin with an area servicing 30,000 people.

According to the company, online meal ordering platforms, restaurant chains and dark kitchens can promise a three minute delivery times to their customers “for a fraction of the cost of road-based deliveries”.

“We are on the cusp of the fifth industrial revolution, powered by drones, and our intention with Manna is to make drone delivery as pervasive as running water,” Healy said.

Healy says that he hopes to have 50,000 delivery drones servicing the Irish and UK markets in the near future.

27 December 2019 - 1 January 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

latitude&longitude longitude

TAKE A BREAK, AT HOME OR AWAY

TRAVEL

A dream early 2020 sun holiday in either Dubai (top) or Miami (above) could be much cheaper than you think

A late deal offer will give you an early dream holiday IF YOU’RE looking to clear your head after a busy Christmas, why not do so with a blast of clear sea air?

You’ll certainly refresh your mind for the year ahead with a seabound journey, with a range of late offers all set to whisk any would-be travellers off around the world.

Planetcruise.com have put together a number of cruise holidays that are sure to make a splash with anyone looking for a dream holiday to usher in 2020 in style.

For example, why not set sail on January 29 for exotic Dubai, Oman and Abu Dhabi?

You could enjoy a 10-night cruise and stay onboard Costa Cruises Costa Diadema, from €1,499pp (full board on cruise), flying from Dublin on January 29.

The cruise includes return flights, a two-night pre-cruise 5-star hotel stay in Dubai, an overnight onboard in Abu Dhabi, and stops offs in Khor Al Fakkan and Doha.

You’ll be treated to all the comforts of home –and much more – aboard the stylish Costa Diadema, while bustling Dubai is a wonderfully modern contrast with Khor Al Fakkan and Doha.

Alternatively, steer your holiday in the other direction and head west, with a memorable Miami South Beach stay, with Western Caribbean stopovers.

Setting off on January 17, enjoy a 10-night fly/ ruise onboard MSC Cruises MSC Meraviglia from just €1,549pp (full board on cruise), flying from Dublin on January 17.

The trip includes return flights, a two-night pre-cruise stay in Miami, and stop-offs in Costa Maya, Belize City, Roatan Island and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

Vibrant, sun-kissed Miami needs no introduction to Irish holidaymakers, while the Western Caribbean destinations are a delight in themselves – assuming you can tear yourself away from the MSC Meraviglia.

For full details on these and other great cruise offers (available at the time of going to press), see www.planetcruise.com/ie, or call 01 485 4535.

The Radisson Blue hotel, Athlone has a perfect riverside setting, putting guests right in the heart of the ancient town

Centre yourself with an Athlone staycation PATRICK FINNEGAN

STAYC AT I O N S a re becoming ever more popular and a recent visit to Athlone, situated in the dead centre of the country, did not disappoint.

The Radisson Blu Hotel in the town was my base for two nights and I was thoroughly impressed by the professional and friendly service that greeted me.

I also discovered that Athlone and the general Midlands area is steeped in stories and myths of our rich ancient history and culture, dating back to our Viking cousins, and beyond.

Located right on the shores of Ireland’s mightiest river, this 4-star hotel with its beautiful riverside views creates an immediate impression.

The hotel takes full advantage of its wonderful location and the wide majestic Shannon, the marina and the imposing St Peter and Paul’s Church, as well as Athlone Castle, together give a distinctly

continental feel to the area.

The hotel’s elegant Elements restaurant (above) is a cosy, intimate space to enjoy the top-class cuisine that was on offer.

Just for good measure, the hotel also has a very impressive indoor heated pool at Synergy Health & Leisure centre, as well as a sauna and steam room.

General manager, Fergus O’Donovan, said that the building of the hotel only commenced in 2002 and opened to the public in 2004, having previously been the site of the Athlone Woollen Mills.

The Mill was destroyed by fire and the hotel’s management are keenly aware of the rich history of the town and they encourage guests to partake in

exploring the stunning scenery and rich history of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands with their Discover the Midlands package.

I was brought on a tour of the hotel’s corridors, which was effectively a walking tour of Athlone’s rich history.

Walls on both sides had sketches and drawings depicting more than 500 years of local history, and is something that management are immensely proud of.

All in all, my visit to the Radisson Blu hotel was an unexpected bonus and one that I intend to repeat.

The stunning location, the quality of the food, the excellent accommodation, the friendliness and professional approach of management and staff, all contributed to a very enjoyable and memorable stay.

For information on the Discover the Midlands package – valid until March 31 – call 090 644 2600, or see www.radathlone.com.

Some of Athlone’s local attractions Viking Tours A WELL-KNOWN local man affectionately known as ‘Viking Mike’ (AKA Mike O’Donnell) has been conducting tours on his Viking longboat for many years, and his 21 metre-long replica of a Viking Knarr – the longest serving passenger ship in both Ireland and the UK – has become one of the town’s leading tourist attractions.

Viking Mike sets course for history, providing mythfilled magic every day from Easter to Halloween, heading up north to Lough Ree, or south down along the River Shannon to Clonmacnoise, the most famous monastic site in Ireland.

Ireland’s Oldest Pub A VISIT to Ireland’s oldest pub, Sean’s Bar, is a must and I thoroughly enjoyed this gem, famous for its warm atmosphere, live music and friendly banter.

The pub (right), is officially the oldest in the country, according to the Guinness Book of Records, and has its very own whiskey.

Here, you can learn all about the story of whiskey making in Athlone.

Athlone Castle THE Athlone Castle Visitor Centre is an ideal start to your cultural journey and is well worth visiting, with its audio tour providing commentary on Athlone’s rich history, particularly the Williamite and Jacobite period, as well as Athlone’s most famous son, world-renowned tenor Count John McCormack.

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 27 December 2019 - 1 January 2020

HOME & STYLE

FRESH IDEAS FOR YOUR HOME AND WARDROBE

Skin deep

Review: CBD Massage

The wild winds of winter teamed with the frigid coldness can cause havoc for our skin.

The new year is a perfect time to revisit your skin routine, to see what products could treat your skin with a little more kindness as we emerge into slightly colder climes, and will take you into the brighter spring months as well.

Here are some of our top picks for your skin this winter, from eye creams to lip balms and beyond.

Rich cream, About Eyes Clinque All s €34.50, Boot

’Up Lip ert xp ve No e e.i lin on cs eti sm Co 20 l€ 8m

COMPANY: The Buff Spa, South King St PRODUCT: CBD Massage PURPOSE: To help relieve pain, insomnia, and anxiety PRICE: €75 for 30 minute back massage treatment

Style Editor

An initial 15 minute consultation by my

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Get New Year’s Eve glam NEW YEAR’S EVE is just around the corner, and will be packed with parties.

It’s the perfect time of year to go all out glam.

Check out our picks from Kiss, who have the perfect selection of products to achieve your desired party look this NYE. KISS Glam Fantasy Nails €9.00 Incorporate simple, chic sparkles

this Christmas season with glitter Kiss Fantasy nails, KISS Fantasy are ready to wear gel nails with an ultra-smooth finish. These are a staple you need to ramp up your look with something extra special.

KISS Masterpiece nails €12.95 The ultimate statement nails.

Whether you prefer a pointed or

square cut, these longer length, jewelled, dramatic nails are the perfect finishing touch to your show stopping look.

KISS Blooming Lash in Lily €7.00 These will take your look to the next level with a multi-angle technology delivering layers of lashes on a single lash band.

Blooming Lashes are natural

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, varying prices, Arnotts

looking with tapered ends, which makes lashes flutter.

KISS True Volume Lash in Ritzy €8.00 This full and long strip lash will have you batting your eyelids for all the right reasons.

They come in 100% Natural Hair to give you a natural yet full lash look.

27 December 2019 - 1 January 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

WHAT’S NEW IN THE WORLD OF TRANSPORT

MOTORS

You probably won’t be buying good ol’ Herbie, above – but how much do you really know about the used car that you’re considering buying?

Keep a cool head when looking at a used car to buy DECLAN GLYNN

USED cars will be subject to a certain amount of wear and tear, but it is advisable to avoid a car that has had major collision damage in the past.

If crash repairs have not been carried out correctly, it can affect the way a car handles, and the safety rating.

It is the responsibility of the buyer to assess the condition of a used car before you commit to purchasing the vehicle, so it is wise to carry out a thorough inspection of the car before any money changes hands.

Daylight Always view a vehicle during daylight hours, and when it is dry outside, as rain can hide scrapes and scratches.

Always ask the seller if the car has ever been in an accident, or had any major bodywork repairs carried out – and then stand back and view the body language of the seller in order to quantify if you think you are being told the truth.

In order to carry out a visual inspection, it is wise to look at the vehicle from a distance, and from different angles.

Make sure it sits squarely on the road,

and doesn’t look higher at one end, or on one side.

Check that the front and rear bumpers sit with the bodywork squarely at both sides.

Walk around the car and look for visible signs of damage such as dents, scrapes, cracked lights, and marks on bumpers.

E n s u re t h e g a p s around the doors, and between body panels, appear even.

Check that the bonnet and boot open easily, and close squarely.

Finally, look and see if any body panels appear a slightly different colour to the others, or if any trim is newer-looking on one side of the car than the other.

However, even if the vehicle bodywork suggests that there has been repairs carried out, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the car is unsafe.

Many ‘fender-benders’ are relatively minor, and the car could indeed serve you well for many years to come.

It is worth bearing in mind that repairs to the bodywork of a vehicle could affect the value of the car when you come to sell it on.

Buying a used car can be exciting, so choose wisely ... and enjoy your purchase.

Offering a great blend of form and function, the new C5 Aircross offers great features alongside some impressive stats

Citroen C5 Aircross impresses with ease DECLAN GLYNN

THE all-new Citroen C5 Aircross five-seat SUV has been launched in Ireland, and it sets the bar for comfort in its segment, thanks to the standard fitment of its Progressive Hydraulic Cushion (PHC) suspension across the entire range.

All models come equipped with three individual sliding, folding and reclining rear seats for extra practicality, thereby allowing the SUV to claim best-in-class boot space of up to 720-litres with the rear seat backs in the upright position.

However, when the rear seat backs are dropped, the C5 Aircross provides cavernous van-like space.

Co n n e c te d C A M , a factory-fitted dashboard camera from Citroen, is also standard across the range.

This innovative system consists of a HD camera that records your best road trips in complete safety.

With a single click, take a photo or record a 20-sec-

ond video and share it with all your friends directly on the social networks.

Located just behind the interior rearview mirror, the Citroen ConnectedCAM records the highlights of your trips in 120-degree, wide-angle full HD with two million pixels.

Four trim levels are available in the new Citroen C5 Aircross – Start, Touch, Feel and rangetopping Flair.

Entry-level ‘Start’ trim level includes features such as an 8” touchscreen display, cruise control, active safety brake, and air-conditioning.

The ‘Touch’ edition adds items such as 17”

alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, folding mirrors, and Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, while the ‘Feel’ model benefits from 18” alloy wheels, front parking sensors, rear privacy glass, wireless phone charging, and Active Blind Spot Detection.

Step up to the ‘Flair’ specification and also included are 19” alloy wheels, Citroen Connect Navigation, Keyless Entry & Start, a panoramic sunroof with interior LED ambient lighting, and various Driver Assistance Systems.

Highway Driver Assist is also standard on Flair models, coupled with the EAT8 automatic transmission.

The C5 Aircross comes with a selection of two petrol and two diesel engines. The popular PureTech petrol engines comprise a 1.2-litre with 130bhp (6-speed manual only), and a 1.6litre with 180bhp, which comes with the choice of a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The Blue HDI diesel engines available are a 1.5-litre with 130bhp (manual or automatic), and a 2.0-litre automatic with 180bhp.

In early 2020, Citroen will launch a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) edition of the new C5 Aircross, with low Co2 emissions and a range of 50km in fully electric mode promised.

My review car was a Citroen C5 Aircross ‘Flair’ 1.2-litre PureTech (petrol) 6-speed manual in Cumulus Grey metallic paint, which attracts annual road tax of just €200.

On the road, the C5 Aircross can absorb road imperfections with ease, and cruise over speed ramps effortlessly, while

advanced soundproofing reduces both road noise and wind noise exceptionally well.

Wi t h 1 3 0 b h p a n d 230Nm of torque available, the refined and sweet-revving 1.2-litre PureTech petrol engine is capable of sprinting from 0-100km/h in just 10.5-seconds, achieve a top speed of 187km/h, and can consume as little as 6.8l/100km on a WLTP combined-driving cycle.

The cabin of the new C5 Aircross SUV is spacious and stately. It incorporates generous and flowing shapes, while remaining attentive to functional aspects.

It features a robust dashboard with a horizontal layout. On the driver side, the display screen offers a configurable digital instrument cluster with a 12.3-inch screen, which displays the selected driving information in the driver’s field of vision.

Pricing for the new C5 Aircross starts at just €26,495, with my test car specification starting at a very reasonable €33,695.

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 27 December 2019 - 1 January 2020

DUBLIN SENIORS Seniors Alert Scheme

THE Seniors Alert Scheme provides grant support for the supply of alarm equipment to enable older people of limited means to continue to live securely in their homes.

The scheme is run by Pobal, a not-for-profit organisation that manages programmes on behalf of the Irish Government and the EU. The grant assistance is made available through community, voluntary and not-forprofit organisations that are registered with Pobal.

To be eligible for the Seniors Alert Scheme, you must be: • Aged 65 or over and have limited means or resources • Either living alone, living alone for significant periods of time during the day, living with someone who also meets the eligibility criteria, or caring for someone else in your household • Living in the area covered by the registered group administering the grant support • Able to benefit from the equipment being supplied and • Willing to maintain contact with the registered group What type of equipment can I get?

Grant support is available for the provision and installation of monitored personal alarms, which can be worn as a pendant or around your wrist like a watch. These alarms connect to a national helpline via a base unit installed in your home.

When the alarm is activated, it automatically rings the helpline, which is open 24 hours a day all year round. A helpline operator talks to you in your home and decides whether to alert a local volunteer responder or, if necessary, the emergency services.

How to apply For further information, you can contact the Seniors Alert Scheme section in Pobal at the address below or by email at onlinesupport@ pobal.ie Tel: (01) 511 7000 Fax: (01) 511 7981 Homepage: http://www.pobal.ie/ Email: enquiries@pobal.ie

This week, we look at taking care of your blood pressure, illness in your retirement and Seniors Alert Scheme

Taking care of your blood pressure HEALTHY blood pressure and cholesterol levels are important for your heart and arteries.

Here you will find information on how you can maintain your health.

Blood pressure Blood pressure is a measure of the amount of pressure against the walls of your blood vessels.

It is caused by your heart as it pumps blood containing the oxygen supply through these vessels and around the organs of your body.

If a person is experiencing problems, this could be because the blood pressure is too low or too high. The most common condition is high blood pressure.

High blood pressure A doctor or nurse will be able to check if you have high blood pressure and it is recommended that you get your blood pressure checked each time you visit your doctor, or at least once every six months.

Measuring blood pressure Blood pressure is measured by a standard test, which is painless and only takes a few minutes.

• The higher (systolic) number represents the pressure when the heart is beating

• The lower (diastolic) number represents the pressure when the heart is resting between beats.

Blood pressure varies due to age, emotion and activity.

Remember, one raised reading does not mean you have high blood pressure, however, your doctor or nurse will need to recheck it to get your normal level.

Causes of high blood pressure A person with high blood pressure often feels and looks well and may have no symp-

toms, but the condition adds to the workload of the heart and arteries and causes damage over time, which may contribute to a heart attack or stroke.

There are a number of factors that usually combine to cause the condition, including: • Not eating enough fresh fruit and vegetables • Drinking too much alcohol • Taking too much salt in the diet • Being overweight • Family history of the condition • Smoking

• Ageing • Stress.

Treatment for high blood pressure: If you have high blood pressure your doctor may recommend some lifestyle changes, which may be enough to treat it, such as: • Losing weight – and keeping the weight off • Eating more fruit and vegetables • Reducing fat in your diet • Cutting down on salt • Drinking less alcohol • Stopping smoking.

ILLNESS IN YOUR RETIREMENT WHILE the vast majority of retired people enjoy a healthy life, there are some who suffer illness and disability and may need care.

Some may have retired because of the onset of illness or disability.

The payments and services to which you are entitled depend on your age and on your needs. The Department of Social Protection (DSP) is responsible for the payments mentioned below, except where otherwise stated.

Income supports for older people Pensioners If you are already a pensioner when you become ill or acquire a disability, your income arrangements do not change; you continue to receive your pension and other entitlements.

Employed

If you are employed you may continue to be paid by your employer, but this depends on your contract of employment.

Employers are not obliged to pay employees who are unable to work because of illness, but some contracts of employment include provisions for payment while ill. This applies regardless of age.

Aged Under 66 If you become ill and unable to work before the age of 66, you may be eligible for Illness Benefit. Your GP will have application forms.

Illness Benefit is based on PRSI contributions. If you do not qualify because you do not have enough PRSI contributions, or because you are self-employed, you may be eligible for a weekly Supplementary Welfare Allowance.

Long-term illness and disability

If you have a long-term illness or disability and cannot continue to work, you may be able to claim your occupational or personal pension scheme if you have one and you may qualify for Illness Benefit.

If you remain unable to work for a year or more, you may qualify for Invalidity Pension.

If you do not qualify for Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension, you may apply for the means-tested Disability Allowance.

If you qualify for Invalidity Pension or Disability Allowance, you may also qualify for Free Travel and the Household Benefits Package. If you have problems paying your rent, you may be able to get Rent Supplement.

The Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme may also provide help with various costs such as heating, exceptional needs and urgent needs.

27 December 2019 - 1 January 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

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26 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 27 December 2019 - 1 January 2020

27 December 2019 - 1 January 2020 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 27

FOOTBALL P31

THE BEST IN DUBLIN

SPORT

GOLDEN MEMORY: BOXING: WITH Olympic year com-

ing into view, one of Ireland’s all-time greats, Michael Carruth, has been reflecting on how the Drimnagh BC man’s finest ever moment almost never happened. The Greenhills Road man has been looking back on his own career, with the undoubted highlight the Barcelona experience, beating Cuba’s Juan Hernández Sierra.



GAZETTE

SOCCER P30

PAGE 28-29

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS INFORM YOU OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AND SCORES OF YOUR FAVOURITE TEAMS TAEKWONDO | TALLAGHT MAN OFF TO TOKYO 2020 OLYMPICS

Woolley gets perfect early Xmas present  sport@dublingazette.com

TALLAGHT will have a representative in taekwondo at the 2020 Olympics after Jack Woolley became the first Irishman ever to qualify in the event.

The 21-year-old will take his place at the event in Tokyo after securing qualification at the final preliminary competition on Friday.

Woolley has already won gold at the Australian and Turkish Opens and the Pan Am Championships this year, as well as winning silver at the US Open and European Championships.

He faced an anxious wait to secure his place in Tokyo as Chinese rival Yushuai Liang needed to win at least a silver medal to pip him to the final spot.

Liang was beaten in the semi-finals, however, meaning Woolley will in contention in Japan next summer, where he is targeting becoming not only Ireland’s first Olympian, but first medallist.

Woolley initially thought he had qualified two weeks ago but the permutations continued right up until Friday’s Grand Slam.

Liang was the only man capable of denying him an Olympic berth but, after he fell agonisingly short, the long wait for Woolley is finally over and he can take his place in Tokyo.

“Today I have made history in becoming the first ever Irish Taekwondo Athlete to qualify for an Olympic Games,” said Woolley.

“Blood, sweat, tears, highs, lows and many sacrifices have lead to this moment and I am extremely grateful and proud.

“I’d like to thank my friends, family and team mates for their constant love and support since I first started my taekwondo career! “[Thanks] to Sport Ireland, Team Ireland and the Irish Taekwondo Union for their great service to me and Taekwondo as a whole in Ireland. .

“But, most importantly, I’d like to

Jack Woolley points the way to Tokyo 2020

thank my coach Robert Taaffe, who has not only travelled the world with me to get those ranking points but has made extreme sacrifices in his day to day life in order to get us both on that plane to Tokyo!

“As every player and coach in sport does, we have had really good times and some not so good ones, but we

pushed through, worked as a team and have turned our Olympic dream into a reality!

“Now it’s time to rest and enjoy Christmas with my friends and family.

2020 will be time to work even harder so I’m not just the first Irish athlete to qualify for Ireland but to be the country’s first Taekwondo medallist.”

SPORT CONTACT INFO SPORTS EDITOR: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@dublingazette.com

For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@dublingazette.com Phone: 01 601 0240

28 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 27 December 2019 - 1 January 2020

HOCKEY

BOXING: BROKEN HANDS DID NOT END IN BROKEN DREAMS IN

Mount Temple in action against Newbridge.

Picture: Max Fulham

Carruth reflects on the Olympic gold that almost never was

Dublin trio through to senior final four LEINSTER SCHOOLGIRLS SENIOR CUP  sport@dublingazette.com

MUCKROSS Park, Newpark and Loreto Beaufort will contest the Leinster Schoolgirls Senior Cup semi-finals alongside Newbridge College following their quarter-final victories in the week before Christmas.

In horrendous, stormy conditions, Muckross edged out Alexandra College 1-0. Alex had all the possession in first 10 minutes until Muckross finally settled and won a penalty corner which yielded a great chance when Rachel Maher skipped past a defender on the right to draw goalkeeper Amy Molloy and squared to Sarah Rooney but she was just unable to get her touch on target.

Muckross had more of the play in the second quarter and they went in front when a pass across the D from the left bounced in front of Helen Barr who volleyed home for a great finish.

Alex increased the pressure the second half but could could not breakthrough a defence led and marshalled by Sarah McAuley who was outstanding for Muckross. Lucy Crowe and Alex Gallagher also defended well with Isabelle Maleady working tirelessly in midfield.

Both Newpark and Loreto Beaufort’s ties were postponed due to Storm Elsa. The former won through in a shoot-out against Loreto Foxrock after normal time ended 1-1.

Zoe Watterson put them in front only for Foxrock to level it and earn a second chance.

There, Erica Gallagher produced the heroics, the goalkeeper saving all five of the efforts she faced, allowing her side to win out 1-0 in the shoot-out.

Loreto Beaufort won 1-0 against reigning champions St Andrew’s College with Ashling Murray scoring the only goal of the game.

At Mount Temple, meanwhile, Newbridge College fought back from a goal down to advance to the semi-final of the Leinster Senior Cup with Caoimhe Byrne striking the killer goal to beat Mount Temple 2-1.

The Malahide Road side – playing at this advanced stage for the first time in many years – got off to a flying start when Mia Jacob deflected in the opening goal in the eighth minute to the delight of the sizeable home crowd.

Newbridge, however, have been on the rise in recent years and they got back on terms before half-time courtesy of Ellie Henry’s direct sweep from the head of the circle.

And the Kildare side kept plugging away and got their winner with six minutes to go. It came from a dodgy penalty corner injection which fell to Byrne to smash home.

OLYMPIC GAMES  CÓILÍN DUFFY

sport@dublingazette.com

WITH Olympic year coming into view, one of Ireland’s all-time greats, Michael Carruth, has been reflecting on how the Drimnagh BC man’s f i n e s t eve r m o m e n t almost never happened.

In his role as a Circle K ambassador for their support of Team Ireland, the Greenhills Road man has been looking back on his own career, with the undoubted highlight the Barcelona experience, b e a t i n g Cu b a’s Ju a n Hernández Sierra on points in the final.

As the Olympics approaches next year in Tokyo, the Greenhills Road, Tallaght native has been looking back on his own career, with the undoubted highlight the Barcelona experience, beating Cuba’s Juan Hernández Sierra on points in the final.

“I missed the first two qualifiers in 1991 b e ca u se I b ro ke my hands – everywhere!”

Carruth told the Dublin Gazette.

“I broke my wrists and my elbow and I had a bad 1991. Billy Walsh went to the European Championships in Sweden in 1991.

“Paul Griffin, from my

own boxing club, won a gold medal, so it was a great European Championships for our club. It wasn’t for me, because I wasn’t on the team.

“I was then picked ahead of Billy to go to the World Championships in Australia and I broke my hand sparring a week before the championships. Billy got put on the team. It was far too late for him to be called up.

“He wasn’t training but, in fairness to him, he tried his best. He got on the team but didn’t qualify.

“Now, I’m not telling a word of a lie - I had a voodoo doll; sticking pins into it, I was! Then I had to win the national championships – I beat Billy in the final. I went to Italy three or four months later and I qualified last gasp, and got my seat on the plane.

“Boxing took a back seat for once in my family. I got married a month after. Then we were sent into training camp.

Paula never got her honeymoon, but she got it later!”

Many of the potential candidates for a place on the Irish Olympic team have yet to qualify, just over seven months out from the Games – Tallaght’s Jack Whooley

Olympic Hero Michael Carruth at the launch of Circle K’s “Here for Ireland” initiative,

was the latest qualifier, becoming the first Irish person to qualify for Taekwando recently.

Carruth says qualifying just a couple of months before an Olympics is the perfect buildup.

“I qualified the year of the Olympics, which I like. I remember watching Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlon. They qualified something like 18 months before the Olympics.

“How do you keep your incentive up? How

do you keep your motivation up and making weight at championships and things like that? They didn’t have to weigh in for championships.

“Qualifying in the Olympic year is great.

This is what our boxers are going to get now, they are going to qualify in either February or March.

“There’s another one after that again. The Olympics are on in July in Tokyo, so you are getting top-class qualifying. You

can’t ask for any better.

“I think I fought something like 14 times in 1992 from January to August, my last fight being the Olympic final.

That stands to you no end.

“When you are doing real competition, people might say ‘what are you talking about?’.

“If you are a GAA player and you are only doing training sessions, you aren’t doing practice matches, you aren’t getting match sharp. You have to be box-fit. You

27 December 2019 - 1 January 2020 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

KAYAKING: 50-DAY TARGET FOR COLLINS AND O’CARROLL

BARCELONA

Dublin duo take on Atlantic Challenge TALISKER ATLANTIC CHALLENGE  DAVE DONNELLY

sport@dublingazette.com

TWO MEN get into a boat: one is from Blackrock, the other from Dun Laoghaire. To paraphrase the great Gaelic games commentator Micheal O Muirtheartaigh: “Neither a kayaking stronghold”.

December 2020 will see Dubliners Robert Collins and Kev O’Farrell embark on a daunting two-man expedition to row from the Canary Islands to Antigua.

The 470km trip will take them in the ballpark of 50 days to complete – meaning, between them, they’ll have to row almost 100km a day, two hours on, two hours off, seven days a week.

The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, departing from San Sebastian de la Gomera off the coast of Africa and ending in the idyllic Caribbean, is a test both of rowing ability and physical endurance.

It’s just as well that, between Collins and O’Farrell, they meet the brief perfectly: Collins, the sailor turned kayak enthusiast, and O’Farrell the ultra-marathon veteran.

“I was sitting around a campfire with a friend of mine, Kev, who I’d been hanging around with for years and doing general outdoor stuff with,” Collins tells the Dublin Gazette.

“We got talking about the Atlantic Challenge.

I’d read about the race and, randomly, followed it, but I hadn’t really considered doing it.

“My background is in sailing – I did some courses in Africa and got certified a skipper. I bought my own boat and did a lot of sailing. I then downsized to a kayak and got into the rowing thing.

“Kev did the Connemarathon ultra-marathon, and he did another race in London city centre that was about 55km. These are hardcore events. He’s Mr Endurance, and I’m the boat guy.”

They’re not the first Irish athletes to compete at Killiney Hill Park. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

can only peak two or three times a year, and then you blow off.

“I got to the Olympic Games, and sometimes that’s the hardest part.

“Don’t forget you have judges from the Eastern block, from China, from USA and everywhere else. You are hoping you get the fair rub of the green and they see red when I’m in red, and they don’t see blue.

“So you need luck.

Luck is a huge part of our game as well, that they get the decisions right,

to get the right people in the Olympics.

“We had a great team in Barcelona with six qualifiers, and we won two medals - one being a Gold, and the other a Silver.

“It wasn’t a bad return t h a t w ay. We h ave excelled since then.

“People say we had a bad Olympics in Rio, but I disagree.

“If you go back the years I’m sure some of the teams didn’t even win fights in Olympic Games.”

The Salty Pair Kev O’Farrell and Robert Collins

in the annual event: Galway man Gavan Hennigan set a new record for a solo competitor in 2018 when he rowed in in under 50 days.

The previous year, the former Leinster and Connacht rugby player Damian Browne completed the challenge, also as a solo rower, finishing in 63 days.

Collins and O’Farrell aim to finish the race in a similar timeframe to Hennigan – those groups duking it out for first place will look to finish with sub-30-day times.

With just one rescue boat covering several thousand miles, there is an element of danger too, but the main challenge will be doing what amounts to 50 ultra-marathons in 50 days.

“Have you ever heard of a guy called Dean Karnazes who did 50 marathons in 50 days in 50 states? It would be comparable to that. It’s

50km of rowing, each, every day.

“It’s like running a marathon every day for eight weeks.

“One of the things that comes up is you burn about 6,000 calories a day. Trying to get that many calories into you is a challenge.”

Collins, a computer engineer, and medical social worker O’Farrell must cover the cost of the trip themselves but are appealing for sponsors to help offset the burden.

This takes in €20,000 entry free, €9,000 for food, €11,000 for transport while the biggest cost is for a boat which can stretch between €35,000 up to €55,000.

For sponsorship opportunities, email info@ thesaltypair.com, or to donate visit https:// www.gofundme.com/f/rowing-across-theatlantic-the-salty-pair.

In action for St Michael’s Rowing Club

30 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 27 December 2019 - 1 January 2020

GYMNASTICS

SOCCER: ENGLISH MOVE MOTIVATED BY WORK AND SPORT REASONS Chloe Mustaki, left, in action against Peamount United’s Emilie Ryan Doyle during the WNL season.

Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Members of the Olympia club in action in Budapest

Olympia club shines at Budapest event RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS  sport@dublingazette.com

BLAKESTOWN-based Olympia Rhythmic Gymnastics Club saw five of its young stars represent the club at the Budapest FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics Tournament in December in superb fashion.

The event brought together 350 gymnasts from 20 different countries and 55 clubs with the Olympia crew coached Natalya Tsay.

The leader of the club, Anastasia Tsay, competed in FIG Tournament in the senior category and won two bronze medals for both ball and hoop routines.

The other four small gymnasts who competed for the first time abroad won medals in their categories: Marika Remeza - third place, Alisa Celischeva - second place, Erika Pilusina - second place and Joanna Steinberg - second place.

All four of them are aged between 8 and 12 years old. All the parents were delighted with the results and congratulated the Coach Natalya Tsay for all her hard work.

Mustaki’s Charlton move  GERARD MULREANY

sport@dublingazette.com

WHILE a move to England looked like the logical next step, Chloe Mustaki’s switch from Shelbourne to Charlton Athletic was not entirely football-related.

For the classy left-footer, a graduate of St Kilian’s DSD in Clonskeagh, the move satisfies both her playing and professional needs as she embarks into the world of work.

“My decision to leave Shelbourne, and effect ive l y I re l a n d , w a s because I needed to complete an internship abroad in order to graduate from my Masters

degree,” she said.

“I chose London as it has great job opportunities and is close to home, but also because of the level of the women’s game in England at the moment.

“I contacted Charlton as soon as I arrived in London and asked them if I could train with the team while I finished out my season with Shelbourne.

“However, they were aware that pending the end of this season’s WNL, I would be looking to sign for an English Championship side that trained in the evenings in order to suit my work schedule.

“It was essentially a trial period for me but, thankfully, they were

TEQBALL Broadford’s Reilly shines at World Cup

BROADFORD Rovers member Brian Reilly got to

the last 16 of the TeqBall World Cup in Budapest earlier this month.

The sports is like football played on a curved table-tennis table with Broadford a pioneering club in Ireland in the format. Reilly also competed with his brother Conor in the doubles competition.

Broadford, as part of the SCP (Sports Capital Programme), will be getting a TeqBall Table in early 2020 so keep an eye out on our Facebook Page and website broadfordroversfc.com.

happy to sign me come November. My decision to go to Charlton was based off their results last season and the calibre of players and level of training at the club.”

Moving abroad to play football is nothing new for the 24-year-old, as she previously played for French Ligue 1 side Bordeaux, but she still feels a little nervous.

“There’s always a bit of anticipation when you move to an unfamiliar country. In the past, any move I have made for my studies has always had an end date, unlike this move to London. What’s different about this time around is that I have no idea how

long I’ll be here for.

“It’s made the need to settle in a bit more real, which has been somewhat overwhelming at times. But I feel ready for the challenge both in a professional and sporting sense, wherever it is they each take me.”

Mustaki recently received a call-up to the national team, played the 2019 Women’s National League (WNL) with Shelbourne, who missed out on the title by just two points to a brilliant Peamount United side.

She played the majority of the season in defence, however she is equally adept in midfield.

“I definitely much pre-

fer playing in midfield.

Unfortunately, as a lefty – and all you lefties out there can identify with this I’m sure! – you can sometimes be played leftback if you’re in anyway defensively minded since there’s fewer of us and therefore a need for someone left-footed to play in that position.

“At the end of the day, being in the starting eleven is the priority, but I experience a lot more enjoyment in centremidfield where I’m able to express myself a bit more.

“Charlton have signed me with a view of playing me in both positions, but for now I have been playing left-back.”

27 December 2019 - 1 January 2020 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 31

FOOTBALL: FITTING FINALE AS MUN WIN AFL DIVISION ONE WITH LATE SCORE FOOTBALL

Vinnies the B champs

Ballymun Kickhams celebrate their league success

Small lands emotional late Ballymun winner AFL DIVISION ONE FINAL Ballymun Kickhams Ballyboden St Enda’s  CÓILÍN DUFFY sport@dublingazette.com

0-9 0-8

BALLYMUN KICKHAMS got an early Christmas present, as a 64th minute John Small point earned them the Dublin Senior Football AFL Division 1 title, in the final game of the year at Parnell Park.

It was somewhat fitting that John Small kicked the winning score, after an emotional week following the recent passing of his, and brother Paddy’s Dad - Ballymun Kickhams chairman Declan Small.

Mun delivered silverware after a keenly contested encounter with a Ballyboden St Enda’s side who had gone through both league and championship unbeaten in 2019, but ended that hugely impressive run, after a slender win for Kickhams.

No more than two points separated the sides throughout this contest, but it was Boden’s inability to score in the second half until injury-time, which cost them badly.

The Firhouse Road club came into this game off the back of a late delivery against Carlow side Eire Og to take their second ever Leinster title, while Ballymun also had an impressive win in their last game - a 0-17 to 1-8 league semi-final win over St Vincent’s.

Both sides had some regulators absent, with Colm Basquel out for Ballyboden,

and Dean Rock not in the Ballymun lineup.

But with the depth in both squads, two sterling line-ups were fielded.

Ryan Basquel got Boden off the mark with a pointed free after two minutes, before two minutes later, James McCarthy equalised after a one-two with Dillon Keating.

Mun took the lead for the first time, following a pointed free from Fiach Andrews, but Ballyboden hit back with the next three scores.

Ross McGarry, Warren Egan and Tom Hayes all grabbed a point from play each, to ensure a 0-4 to 0-2 for their side after 14 minutes.

However, it wasn’t long before Kickhams responded, with Carl Keeley cutting the deficit with his side’s first score in nine minutes.

Kickhams continued to drive on, with back-to-back scores from Dillon Keating helping them to a 0-5 to 0-4 lead on 20 minutes.

However, his side failed to score again before the break, as a brace of Ryan Basquel pointed frees pushed Boden to a 0-6 to 0-5 interval lead.

Scores were at a premium in the second half, with the southsiders eager for scores, but not making their mark.

Ryan Basquel, Conal Keaney and Hayes all hit the woodwork while, at the opposite end, a James McCarthy effort was blocked

by Boden keeper Darragh Gogan.

Defender Alan Hubbard finally broke the duck in the 42nd minute, with a fine point off his left, after a Davey Byrne pass.

A second score-in-a-row quickly followed for Kickhams as, a minute later, Fiach Andrews converted his second pointed free of the game, after a foul on Cameron McCormack.

It took a further 11 minutes for the next score, but it was well worth the wait, with John Small bursting forward for the first of his two points on the night, after a James McCarthy pass.

This score put their side two points clear with six minutes of normal time remaining, and, at this stage, Mun were certainly looking good for silverware.

But Boden weren’t finished, as Hayes finally broke their second half scoring deadlock on the stroke of injury-time, before Conal Keaney levelled matters with a fine point off his left.

Ballymun never gave up, with John Small stepping up for a late-late score to ensure silverware, with John and Paddy Small lifting the Cup after the game.

James McCarthy tussles with Declan O’Mahony. Picture: John Kirwan

ST VINCENT’S side were crowned Dublin Under-21 B football champions as they defeated Ballinteer St John’s, 5-13 to 3-12 at O’Toole Park.

Cian O’Brien and sub Seán Lowry were the scoring heroes for the Marino club as they combined to tally 4-7 with wing-back Mark Sweeney adding their fifth goal to seal the deal for Vincent’s.

The pacey Lowry lined out for the Vincent’s seniors this year and came on as a second half sub replacing the injured Andrew Gilroy, himself the scorer of 0-3, and scored a vital 2-1 while the impressive O’Brien hit 2-6. Vinnies made a great start with Cian O’Brien hitting a goal inside the opening minute. BSJ gained a foothold with a point from Eoin Seoige followed by a goal from their top scorer Donnacha Carey, who finished with 1-6.

The opening half finished in a flurry of activity with Joseph Sweeney hitting the first of his two goals for St John’s in added time but yet Vincent’s replied before the half-time break when O’Brien was on hand to fire to the net for a 2-9 to 2-6 lead.

The introduction of Lowry six minutes into the second half was to have a serious impact on the game. Only on, three minutes he combined with Conor Burke to find the net.

Ballinteer kept battling away with points from Seoige and Donnacha Carey cutting into their deficit.

However, Lowry’s second goal put Vincent’s on their way to victory despite Joseph Sweeney’s second goal with Mark Sweeney’s goal five minutes from time ensuring the cup.