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SEE P12 BALGADDY ‘AFFECTING LUCAN’S REPUTATION AS A NICE PLACE TO LIVE’

‘I strongly object to Balgaddy being classified as Lucan’  MARK O’BRIEN

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A LUCAN resident has written to the Local Area Boundary Committee requesting that Balgaddy be moved to the Clondalkin electoral area, as it is affecting Lucan’s reputation as a “nice place to live”.

The submission from the Lucan resident said: “Having worked hard, paid my taxes, and paid a big mortgage over the years in Lucan, I strongly object to the area called Balgaddy being classified as Lucan. See full story on Page 4

2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 22 February 2018

POLITICS | COUNCILLORS ‘MOVED AWAY FROM AGREED AGENDA’

O’Connell ‘shocked’ at removal from Alliance  MARK O’BRIEN AN INDEPENDENT councillor said he was “shocked” to have been removed from the Progressive Alliance of South Dublin County Council (SDCC).

L a s t we e k , D u b lin Gazette reported that councillors Guss O’Connell, Paul Gogarty, Liona O’Toole and Deirdre O’Donovan had been removed from the Alliance prior to the full council meeting of SDCC. The split came following disagreements over the supply of social housing in the Clonburris SDZ. The Alliance is made up of Sinn Fein, Labour, Inde-

 MARK O’BRIEN

mobrien@dublingazette.com

pendents and the Green Party.

Cllr Cathal King, the Sinn Fein leader on SDCC, said in a statement on February 12: “Sinn Fein’s objective through the SDZ process was to ensure that the diverse needs of the Communities in Lucan and Clondalkin would be met.

“This means providing an adequate supply of social and affordable housing, improving trans-

port and public transport infrastructure, ensuring adequate supply of green space and community facilities and working with other agencies to deliver jobs and quality public services.

“Unfortunately Cllrs Gogar ty, O’Connell, O’Toole and O’Donovan set their face against this balanced approach and used the process to limit the delivery of much needed social and affordable housing.

“They have breached the trust of their colleagues and moved away from our agreed agenda.”

Cllr O’Connell said: “I was totally shocked at the announcement that I and

three other Independents had been removed from the Progressive Alliance,” he said.

“No prior warning, no communication, no discussion. Not something I would have expected from an Alliance to which I had been loyal.

“Yes, the making of the Clonburris SDZ threw up some big differences between members on how and what could be achieved but this was to be expected.

“There was some robust exchanges in the Chamber in which I did not engage even though there were a few things said about me that were not true.”

Cllr Gogarty issued a

Sarsfields join health project LUCAN Sarsfields have been chosen to be part of Phase 3 of the GAA Healthy Club Project.

This phase will run for approximately 18 months.

The aim of the Healthy Club project is to make clubs a hub for healthy living in the community.

More than 200 clubs applied for this phase and 92 were selected.

The application required a 500-word submission outlining each club’s motivation to become a healthy club.

Speaking about the initiative, Jenny Costello, health and well-being officer for the club, said: “The committee is working well, and hard within the club but also receives great support from the club executive, mentors, parents and players.

“We look forward to working within the club in order to bring health and well-being to the forefront in our community.”

strong statement condemning the Alliance for expelling the Independent councillors.

He said: “Yesterday’s decision to unilaterally break the Alliance agreement with four Independent colleagues was made without any notice being given, no discussion, no right of reply, on trumped-up, false, inaccurate and misleading charges.

“Unfortunately Sinn Fein have not lived up to the spirit of the agreement and neither have several members of the Labour Party.”

The next full council meeting is on Monday, March 12.

FASTNews

Evelyn Williams with Glenda Gilson.

Picture: Jason Clarke

Evelyn’s on hand to open new store at The Square IRELAND’S Got Talent star Evelyn Williams officially opened the new Virgin Media store in The Square, Tallaght last week.

Evelyn opened the store alongside TV3’s Glenda Glison and CEO of Virgin Media, Tony Hanway.

Virgin Media, which has opened stores in Limerick, Cork and Dublin over the past two years has chosen Tallaght as its preferred location, bringing the total number of stores nationwide to eight.

Brendan Moran, director of sales at Virgin Media said: “Providing our customers with the highest quality entertainment experiences across connected devices remains a top priority, so we are thrilled to be opening our latest store in Tallaght and welcome everyone to pop in and become more familiar with what Virgin Media has to offer.”

22 February 2018 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 3

Mixed reaction in West Dublin to new National Planning Framework PLAN INCLUDES COMMITMENT TO IMPROVE ADAMSTOWN AND NANGOR ROADS

 MARK O’BRIEN

THERE has been mixed reaction across West Dublin to the new National Planning Framework (NPF), which was announced last week.

The €116 billion plan, dubbed Project Ireland 2040, was launched on Friday and promises to improve infrastructure across the country over the next 20 years.

The plan includes commitment to bring the Luas to Lucan, implementation and funding of the BusConnects Dublin strategy, improvements to the Adamstown and Nangor Roads and the upgrading of facilities at Tallaght Hospital.

The hospital will develop and commission a new renal unit and intensive care unit at the hospital.

Welcoming the news, David Slevin, CEO of Tallaght Hospital said: “The plan to increase acute hospital bed capacity nationally by 2,600 is also to be welcomed in light of projected population growth in Tallaght and our wider

the plan would prioritise public transport.

She said: “This comprehensive plan provides guaranteed funding for projects that have long been identified as well as developing solutions to issues that have arisen in recent years.

“I will be following up with my colleagues in various departments to ensure timely progress on local projects.

“This plan is about investing to ensure our communities and our country is insulated against any possible challenges like Brexit. It’s a path to a positive, sustainable future.”

Cllr Emer Higgins (FG) also welcomed the plan.

She said: “This is Fine Gael’s plan for the future of Ireland and communities across Clondalkin, Lucan, Palmerstown and our villages of Newcastle, Rathcoole, Saggart and Brittas will benefit from it.

Luas to Lucan “For the first time in the history of the State, our spatial planning is backed up with solid

The plan also includes commitment to bring the Luas to Lucan

catchment it is reassuring to see that capital planning will be in line with demographic needs, and will inform future project selection ahead of the onset of increasing capacity requirements.”

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald (FG) said she was pleased that

investment and it will deliver for our citizens.”

But Fianna Fail TD John Curran was critical of the fact that the Luas to Lucan may not become a reality until 2027, saying that Lucan commuters are facing up to a “lost decade”.

“Anyone living or working in

The €116 billion plan includes upgrading of facilities at Tallaght Hospital

Lucan can tell you that developing a light rail link such as Luas or making significant improvements to the bus corridor and adding additional buses to the fleet in Lucan would make complete sense,” he said.

“There are significant gaps in existing services in Lucan; Dublin Bus routes are currently insufficient to deal with the growing population and traffic congestion remains a real issue for most.

“It’s quite difficult to comprehend that in approving €7 billion of taxpayer money to fund transport projects across Dublin; that the Lucan Luas project will not be operational until sometime after 2027 with no firm date set.

“At this rate of planning and strategic development it could well be 2040 before we see a Luas in Lucan and that is soul destroying.”

Cllr Madeleine Johansson (PBP) was also critical.

She said that it contains very little additional information on public transport infrastructure for Clonburris SDZ. “While there is mention of the projects needed for Clonburris such as the DART expansion and the Lucan Luas, a much stronger commitment of funding is needed to guarantee the

as he said Taoiseach Leo Vardkar deliberately misled the Dail when he stated that the plan did not require Oireachtas approval.

“Section 20(c) 8 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016, currently before the Seanad, is clear that approval of each House of the Oireachtas is necessary for the planning - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - policy to take legislative effect,” he said.

“No vote has taken place to date to approve the plan in either draft or final form. Last October, a vote was taken to refer the draft NPF to the Housing Committee for comment.

“This is not a minor technical matter. If the NPF is not on a statutory footing, it will remain just another aspirational document.

“As the Government seem - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - intent on misleading the Oireachtas and the public on this.

“Similarly, the Lucan Luas the matter, I have written to the will be designed and planned but Oireachtas Housing Committee will not be delivered before 2027. chair requesting that our com“For the Clonburris develop- mittee seeks independent legal ment to be successful, significant advice to settle the matter.

“My request for legal advice investment in public transport is will be discussed before this required.”

Thursdays’ committee meeting Clarity and I hope it will be supported Meanwhile, Sinn Fein TD by the other members. We need Eoin O’Broin said that he is clarity on this issue as soon as seeking legal advice on the plan possible.” delivery,” she said.

“The DART expansion is outlined in terms of sequencing of services with the electrification of the Kildare line to Hazelhatch included in the later stage.

“This means in practice that by the time the second stage comes around a different government might decide to scrap

‘At this rate of planning and strategic development it could well be 2040 before we see a Luas in Lucan and that is soul destroying’

FASTNews

Specsavers launches autism training for its staff STAFF at Specsavers Tallaght have completed a course, developed with The National Autistic Society, to support customers with autism.

The initiative, which is being rolled out across Specsavers stores nationwide, aims to build the team’s knowledge about the lifelong developmental disability, while helping to improve the customer experience for people with autism, and their carers.

The online learning modules cover understanding autism; communicating with people with autism; how autism can impact the senses, and adjustments that stores can make.

James Ryan, dispensing director at Specsavers Tallaght, said: “Autism affects more than one in 100 people and as our store is such a big part of the community, it is vital that we are able to communicate and support someone with the condition in the most effective way possible.”

Irish Flag exhibition to be launched THE first ever permanent exhibition of the Irish Flag will be launched tomorrow (February 23) at the GPO Witness History visitor centre on O’Connell Street.

The exhibition will be launched by the Ceann Comhairle to commemorate the 170th anniversary of the first flying of the Irish Tricolour.

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 22 February 2018

ELECTORAL AREAS | RESIDENT WANTS BALGADDY IN CLONDALKIN

Balgaddy is ‘affecting Lucan’s reputation as a nice place to live’  MARK O’BRIEN A LUCAN resident has written to the Local Area Boundary Committee requesting that Balgaddy be moved to the Clondalkin electoral area as it is affecting Lucan’s reputation as a “nice place to live”.

The Boundary Committee are currently reviewing electoral areas across the country, with submissions having closed on Monday.

The submission from the Lucan resident said: “Having worked hard, paid my taxes, and paid a big mortgage over the years in Lucan, I strongly object to the area called Balgaddy being classi-

fied as Lucan.

“As you are aware Balgaddy is an area linked with drugs and shootings and has a high rate of unemployment.

“It is located beside Ronanstown Garda Station which is clearly Dublin 22.

“The effect of this area being linked to Lucan is that are (sic) house prices will be affected and our reputation as a “nice place to live” will be ruined.

“We can only thank underhand ruthless developers and local politicians for this scenario and I strongly request that the boundaries are reviewed as soon as possible.

“I love living in Lucan but if things get any worse, which undoubtedly they will, people like myself will have no choice but to relocate.”

Clondalkin councillor Trveor Gilligan (FF) said he was shocked by the comments.

“Balgaddy has a long-steeped history in the area,” he said.

“There is great community spirit and residents are proud to be from the area.

“In my view, whether electoral boundaries change or not, I find it insulting to move an area in or out of another just because of so called social standings.”

Cllr Gilligan said he has always

been proud to represent Balgaddy.

“I have met and worked with many residents in the Balgaddy area in the past, none of whom are linked to drugs or shootings.

“Just because someone is not employed, doesn’t mean that they aren’t looking for work, or trying to better themselves.

“Residents in Balgaddy also pay their taxes and do not deserve such treatment.

“I also feel that the Electoral Commission shouldn’t be used as a tool to manipulate house prices in certain areas.

The committee must make its recommendations for any boundary changes by June 13, 2018.

FASTNews

Palmerstown photographers pick up prestigious awards

PALMERSTOWN Camera Club picked up a slew of awards at the Photographic Society of America (PSA) competition.

One member succeeded in receiving an award, while another two received an honourable mention.

Deirdre Byrne received a PSA award for her image Silver Shoes.

Teresa Kavanagh and Gerald Phelan received honourable mentions for their images Deep In thought and Sweeter.

Palmerstown Camera Club meet every Wednesday in the Parish hall Kennelsfort Road opposite The Palmerstown House.

They meet from 8pm to 10pm. Anyone interested in photography and would like to talk to people with the same interests are welcome to attend.

Silver Shoes by Deirdre Byrne

22 February 2018 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 22 February 2018

EVENTS Musical Society’s fundraising mission in Molloy’s Bar

On song for good cause

H

XT (Harold’s Cross Tallaght) Musical Society continued their fundraising mission last week in Molloy’s Bar in Tallaght with their annual Race Night. Along with the support of locals, supporters and HXT member, a great night was had and some much need funds were raised. Host Colin Hughes travelled from Tullamore to host the event on behalf of HXT Musical Society and provided a fun filled evening at the races.

Jaimie Slacke-Fitzpatrick and Laura Medbury. Pictures: Simon Peare Rosaleen Nolan

Margo Fitzpatrick, Breda Byrne and Joan O’Brien

Peter Duberry and Catherine Lambe

Robyn Dunne and Stephen Fagan

Helping people to age with security and dignity OLDER people from Lucan and Palmerstown were out in force to attend a legal information session hosted by Cllr Emer Higgins.

The event heard from solicitor AnneMarie Dermody about legal rights and entitlements around wills and powers of attorney.

Cllr Higgins said she arranged the information session to help older people access legal information.

Speaking at the event held in Kenny’s of Lucan, Cllr Emer Higgins said: “I got involved in politics because I want to make a difference to society.

“Part of that means making Ireland a

place people age with security, opportunity and dignity.

“I want people to be able to enjoy their retirement, that means minimising financial stress.

“I want people to have security of knowledge that if or when they need support, services or additional healthcare; that these will be there for them.

“I want everyone to have access to social supports – clubs, classes and associations that help combat isolation.

“Funding is critical for that and so too is access to information on legal rights and entitlements – and that’s what this workshop was all about.”

Cllr Emer Higgins (in red) attending the event

Gavin O’Reilly and Aoife Kinsella

Firhouse playground ‘really, badly needed’  MARK O’BRIEN

AN online petition is calling for South Dublin County Council to build a public playground in Firhouse.

T here is currently no public playground in Firhouse and, while the Scientology Centre in the area has applied for planning permission to build a playground on their grounds, the petition argues that it “should not be left up to private businesses to offer what is essentially a public good”.

Local Social Democ r a t s r e p r e s e n t a t i ve Carly Bailey star ted the petition, which has almost reached its target number of signatures.

She told Dublin Gazette: “We’ve got five

Social Democrats representative Carly Bailey

local primary schools in the area. “ I t ’s r e a l l y, r e a l l y badly needed.”

She added that she felt the council did not appreciate the role playgrounds have in the development of children.

“There really is a lack of understanding as to how important play is for kids and being able

to use it to learn and all the rest of it,” she said.

While some residents have raised concerns that a playground would attract anti-social elements to the area, Carly said that this should not stop one being built.

“I’ve often made the point that the problem to my mind isn’t actually the playground, it’s the lack of garda presence in the area that’s causing the problems,” she said.

“T here’s also been a rise in burglaries for example but we don’t suggest the way to deal with that is we don’t build houses.”

South Dublin County Council said they were not currently aware of the petition.

A spokesperson for the council said: “There

is a proposed play space agreed in principle for Dodder Valley Park as part of the recently completed Part 8 for Dodder Valley Mount Carmel in October 2017.

“As outlined within the chief executive’s report for the Part 8 in October, the design of the play space in Dodder Valley will be subject to a number of complex considerations including assessment of need, location requirements and an in-depth examination of the environmental and ecological constraints within the area.

“This work will involve sur veys and environmental, it is envisaged that the Part 8 for this playground will commence in Summer 2018.”

22 February 2018 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

AWARENESS | COUNCILLOR SPEAKS ABOUT ILLNESS

‘I haven’t got MS but rather MS has me’

 MARK O’BRIEN

Daniel McLoughlin - South Dublin County Council, Derek McNamara - Google, Daniel Pereira - Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Niall Fingleton - Captain Irish Air Core. Picture: Karl Hussey Photography

Helping students focus on their future career prospects

ON Tuesday February 20, South Dublin County Partnership and the Institute of Technology Tallaght hosted an Inspiring The Future Careers Seminar.

T h e Insp i ri ng the Future Ireland project was launched by South Dublin County Partnership in September 2017, with funding provided by Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Google. So far 12 schools and 126 volunteers have registered through the inspiringthefuture.ie website.

Over 450 fifth year schools from Collinstown Park Community College, Deansrath Community College, St Aidan’s Community School, Old Bawn Community School, St John’s College and Colaiste de hÍde descended on the I.T. Tallaght campus to hear from a range of people from the world of work.

Over 40 volunteer speakers took time out of their busy schedules to speak to the young people about their job, their daily routines, the educational route they have taken and advice and tips they would give to young people.

Thomas Stone, President of the IT Tallaght said: ‘This event gives these local Post-Primary students a great opportunity to hear about the careers of successful professionals. We hope that this will stand to them when making future choices around their own education and career. We

are delighted to host this event.”

Larry O’ Neill, CEO, South Dublin County Partnership, explained the purpose of the Inspiring the Future project and why events like this are run.

“We want to provide the opportunity for young people to have an insight into different careers, have an awareness of the different entry routes and educational pathways available to them and inspire them to reach their full potential.”

Volunteer speakers at the Careers Seminar included employees from Google, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, South Dublin County

Partnership, South Dublin County Council, the Irish Air Corps, Red Cow Moran Hotel, Citywest Hotel, Microsoft, Henkel, Eurofound, Target Integration, Recreate Ireland, AIB bank, AK King & Co, Safety Squad Limited, PM Group, Toni Walsh Family Massage Therapy, Kelliher & Associates and a number of entrepreneurs.

If anybody is interested in volunteering an hour or two of their time a year, or if any teachers would like to host an event or guest speaker in their classroom, contact Kay O Connor, the Inspiring the Future Coordinator in South Dublin County Partnership, on 01 464 9329.

A CLONDALKIN councillor has opened up about his battle with depression after he was diagnosed with Multiple-Sclerosis (MS).

Cllr Mark Ward (SF) was diagnosed with MS in 2005 but has signed up to run this year’s Dublin City Marathon to raise awareness about the illness.

Cllr Ward said that he particularly wants to raise awareness, especially for young people who are recently diagnosed.

He said that being diagnosed with MS had a knock-on effect in terms of MS. “My initial reaction was to turn into Dr Google,” he said of his initial diagnosis.

“I researched everything I could find on MS. My state of mind at the time would not let me focus on anything positive.

“I basically diagnosed myself in having the worst case possible of MS.” Cllr Ward said that this led to him developing a persona to put on a front

Cllr Mark Ward (SF)

to the outside world while “inside I was dying”.

He slipped into depression and lost his job and his physical health deteriorated to the point that he was using a walking stick within a year.

“After losing another job, I found myself unemployed for the first time in my life,” he said.

“The shame I felt as a man that always provided for his family multiplied

the other issues in my life.

I had a complete mental and physical breakdown.

“Depression crippled me emotionally.

“My self-esteem was non-existent and I pushed everybody who cared for me away. None of this was by intention but rather symptomatic of depression.”

He said the fear of losing his children triggered him to seek help.

“The first change was the easiest and also the hardest,” he said. “I began to talk.”

Cllr Ward changed his diet, started exercising and stopped drinking alcohol. He also enrolled in a course at UCD. “I qualified as a behav-

ioural therapist and was working in a job that I adored specialising working with people with addiction issues,” he said.

He said he now takes every opportunity he can to make a difference.

This is the first time that CllrWard has spoken publicly about having MS and he said he is determined not to let the disease define him.

“I changed my thinking about MS,” he said.

“I am not a MS sufferer, MS suffers me. I haven’t got MS but rather MS has me and God love it. If I believed my thoughts in 2005 I wouldn’t be able to walk to the shop today but instead I’m running a marathon.”

8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 22 February 2018

Tallaght taking over on Ireland’s Got Talent TALLAGHT is taking over on Ireland’s Got Talent, with two more acts from the area through to the semifinals.

A f ter three weeks, just three golden buzzers have been awarded on the show, with two of them going to acts from Tallaght.

A f t e r 8 2 - y e a r- o l d Evelyn Williams wowed the judges in week one, dance troupe Xquisite received a golden buzz-

er from judge Denise Van Outen.

The Latin and ballroom dancing group are made up of 9 to 11-year-old boys and girls and rehearse up to five days a week.

Their practice paid off, with Van Outen saying: “Everything about that from the start to the finish was fantastic.”

Ta l l a g h t r e s i d e n t Philip Murphy – known as Reggae Phil – also

Philip Murphy received four yeses from the judges

received f our yeses from the judges for his rendition of ‘Give Me Hope Joanna’.

CLONDALKIN | GROUP TO HAVE USE OF MAYFIELD SITE

Local Men’s Shed secure new home  MARK O’BRIEN

CLONDALKIN Men’s Shed have secured a new home in Mayfield after they were recently given notice to quit their current premises.

The Men’s Shed had received a notice to quit from their current premises on the Boot Road and previous attempts to use a space on Orchard Road proved fruitless.

Cllr Mark Ward (SF) said he was delighted that the Men’s Shed had secured a new home.

He said: “I was at countless meetings where the issue of finding a home for this group was on the agenda.

“Other public representatives tried hard to get the Men’s Shed into a vacant premises on Orchard Road.

“This proved to be very frustrating to all involved as there were legalities involved with this process.”

Cllr Ward said the idea for the Mayfield premises came when he met Sr Kathleen Barret.

Sr Kathleen had run an after school club from a portacabin in Mayfield for over 20 years and was retiring from this role last year.

“She was concerned that the day house would be lost to the community once the club ceased,” said Cllr Ward.

“I thought that this site would be a perfect match for the Men’s Shed.

“It was one of those moments when the simplest ideas make the most sense. “ T h e M e n ’s S h e d would get a home and the community of Mayfield would still have the use of the day house. It was a win-win situation.”

Cllr Ward also thanked South Dublin County Council officials and the Age Friendly Alliance,

Some of the fantastic work done by Clondalkin Men’s Shed

who helped purchase a new porta cabin for the site.

“The funding amounts to €5,000,” he said.

“The council’s housing department has agreed

to arrange removing the blue porto cabin on site.

“The Mayfield site will allow the Men’s Shed a space to carry out their tireless, valued work on behalf of the community

in a customised porta cabin.

“The site also allows them the use of an adjoining day house for meetings that has facilities for cooking, tea etc.”

Lucky Catherine snaps up her prize CONGRATULATIONS to delighted Dublin Gazette reader Catherine Garry, who won the Fujifilm Instax wedding camera gift package worth €200 that we were giving away in our recent wed-

ding supplement. Well done, Catherine – and remember to keep reading your Gazette, online and in print, and keep looking out for our regular great giveaways and prizes!

22 February 2018 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 22 February 2018

SHOP LOCAL | THE GAZETTE FOCUSES ON INDEPENDENT AND FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESSES

It’s business as usual in Clondalkin Village CLONDALKIN has a bounty of independent and family owned businesses with many starting to feel an increase in revenue as the Irish economy is improving.

The Factory Outlet on Orchard Road specialises in the supply and fitting of tiles, bathrooms, kitchens and wardrobes.

One local business that has also survived the testament of time is Becker Tansey & Co Solicitors, which has been providing legal services in Clondalkin for more than 30 years.

Mill Cabs, based in the Mill Shopping Centre, has been in operation for over 30 years and continues to serve the people of Clondalkin on a daily basis without any stop for rest.

Another local business that’s hoping for a busy festive period is Fast-Track Kitchen SuppliesLtd. Established in 2013, Fast-Track Kitchen Supplies provide an unrivalled catalogue of kitchen component parts at the most competitive of prices. With a trade counter and DIY Store in Clondalkin and with ordering available through phone, mail and now online, it could not be easier.

Everything on the website is ready for dispatch, while anything else you may need can easily be sourced and despatched within two to three days.

Cash In Rags, based at Watery Lane, are now going into their sixth year in business.

Donna who runs the company, says that there are a lot of people these days interested in recycling their old clothes with them.

She added: “People like the idea of clearing out their house of old clothes and bringing it in to us in exchange for money.”

22 February 2018 WEST ď‚ˆď‚ˆ DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

EVENTS Mount Sackville School fundraising event for Jigsaw

Elaine Curtin and Teresa Conlon

Goretti Browne and Helena McInerney

The royal treatment for a worthy cause

L Paula Dunne and Jeanne Dowdall. Pictures: Simon Peare

Adrienne Austin and Margot Murphy

Susan Clegg, Donna Brereton, Annette Flynn and Siobhan Murphy

UTTRELSTOWN Castle was the venue for a special fundraising event held by Mount Sackville School for Jigsaw Dublin 15. Jigsaw Dublin 15 is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people aged 12 - 25 living, working or studying in Dublin 15.

They provide guidance and support for young people who are going through a difficult time. They are located on the second floor of Blanchardstown Library.

Marion Cronin and Eileen Ward

Fiona McHugh, Bernadine McCoy and Yvonne McCarthy

Therese Brogan and Anne Marie Leahy

GAZETTE

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE 22 February 2018

DUBLINBUSINESS

Dublin wins bid to host prestigious Global Retail Council meeting in May DUBLIN has won the world and prothe bid to host the file some of the best prestigious Global retailing standards Retail Council midwe deliver in Ireyear meeting, which land is a significant will see 30 countries oppor tunity and from six continents achievement. meeting at City West “It is uplifting that - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ireland has been Hotel in May. Retail Excellence selected to host the competed against mid-year meeting.”

Canada and AusNational Retail tralia, and will now Federation presihost more than 2,000 dent and chief execretailers congregatutive Matthew Shay ing to learn from said he is delighted and be inspired by that we are hostworld-class speakers - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ing this important Fitzsimons and suppliers in the David - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - meeting. industry.

He added: “After Chief executive of Retail Excellence, attending the annual Retail Excellence David Fitzsimons (above), said it is a conference last year, I am deeply aware tremendous achievement for the Irish of Ireland’s thriving retail environment retail industry: “To host so many influ- and I look forward to returning with ential retail executives from around colleagues from around the globe.”

‘To host so many retail executives from around the world is a significant opportunity’

YOUCAPITAL

Meet ‘the dating app for investment’ IRISH investors will be watching closely the success of an innovative new app dreamed up by a Mayo man – YouCapital – with a hook that has seen it described as “like a dating app for investment”.

Mayo man and serial entrepreneur Tom Gaughan believes that his latest venture is on the brink of big things.

“I live in quite an affluent area of West London, and I kept meeting investors who were looking around for the next big thing, or even something viable to invest in, and I thought: ‘Technology has to provide the answer to this’.”

Turning to marrying tech with meeting investors’ needs, Gaughan says: “Although the focus of the UK investor market is starting to shift from

creation to development, there are still loads of people with fantastic, viable business ideas who cannot obtain the capital to start up. Any one of these, with capital, could be the next ‘unicorn’.”

He points out that YouCapital has a focus on providing a deep, valuable relationship, as unlike with crowd funding ventures, “YouCapital aims to match innovators with experienced investors – people who have real experience in growing companies”.

YouCapital’s execution and concept is simple: with the app downloaded to their smartphone, users simply register as an investor or an entrepreneur.

When a budding businessperson adds their project to the YouCapital marketplace, they

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

Tom Gaughan

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

are invited to define the opportunity by certain criteria – including the amount of investment sought, equity offered, area served, and so on.

They can also upload supporting documents, such as an outline business plan, messaging portfolio, or core marketing projections.

On the other side, backers registered on the app set their preferred investment profile – using similar criteria – and get

a notification when a suitable opportunity is added to the marketplace.

“YouCapital started as an idea nearly eight years ago. Now technology and our understanding of the market have converged.

“We have put a lot of consideration into this, and we are really pleased to be able to launch the YouCapital app to the world.”

Although YouCapital is being rolled out in the UK, Mayo man Gaughan hasn’t forgotten his roots – indeed, he views the potential to capitalise on the Irish market as being a key move for YouCapital, with Irish investors and projects firmly in his sights.

He says: “YouCapital want to launch in Ireland as it’s a great test market, having a good mix of entrepreneurs and private individual investors/ HNW, and if their product stands up the word will spread fast.

“We also see Ireland as a stepping stone to the American market now that Ireland is the European hub for American tech companies.

“YouCapital are also considering having their headquarters based in Ireland early next year.”

So watch this space – and the available business apps for your phone – as YouCapital turns its attention to the Irish market ...

GAZETTE

DUBLINLIFE

Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week

LET FUN LOVING BUSTER BRING JOY TO YOUR HOME

DUBLIN Gazette has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs.

Buster is a cute 7-year-old terrier cross looking for a home that he can call his own.

He is a real clever clogs who is perfectly housetrained and very clean too. Buster can be shy with new people and overwhelmed by busier situations and young children, for this reason he would like a quiet adult only home so he can settle in at a gentle pace.

If you are looking for a fun loving, sparky little dog to join your quiet home he could be just the friend you seek!.

If you think you can offer Buster a loving home, contact Dogs Trust at 01 879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www.dogstrust.ie.

You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook. com/dogstrustirelandonline or over on Twitter @ DogsTrust_IE.

22 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

DIARY P14 MUSIC P20 TRAVEL P23

CHILDREN: WINNERS REVEALED IN NATIONWIDE ART COMPETITION

Young artists are a credit THE winners of one of the nation’s largest and longest-running art competitions were announced at Croke Park last week.

Some 30,000 entries were received for the annual Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) All Ireland Art Competition, which is now in its 34th year.

The 11 category winners received cash prizes from broadcaster Marty Whelan.

Set Your Imagination Free was the theme of this year’s competition,

Keisha McCann, winner in the 11-13 years category, shares a laugh with Marty Whelan. Picture: Julien Behal

designed to give a wideranging scope to entrants to express their creativity and individuality.

In addition to the ten individual winners and one group winner, there were 22 runner-up and

merit awards, with a number of age categories and a category for artists with learning difficulties.

The competition is facilitated by credit unions across the island of Ireland.

Winning entries featured such imaginative interpretations of the theme as underwater scenes, space oddities, mythical creatures and city skylines.

The winners hailed from corners of Ireland stretching from Westport to Wexford and

Irvinestown in Northern Ireland.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, ILCU president Charles Murphy said: “Our annual art event is just one example of the great work credit unions do in their communities to ensure that both young and old have an outlet for their creative skills.

“I extend a huge congratulations to each and every artist that participated in this competition and I look forward to seeing even more artistic creations in the future.”

GAZETTE

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 22 February 2018

DUBLINLIFE

DIARY

Brilliant kids all ready for an Oscar

LITTLE Natalia was dressed to impress with some red-carpet style at the launch of LauraLynn Children’s Hospice upcoming third annual Oscars ceremony.

Taking place on March 3, the evening will involve LauraLynn children, their siblings, and their parents writing, producing and starring in their very own short films with the help of industry professionals. The movies are then screened for the first time at an exclusive cinematic gala event in front of family and friends.

Shot on location in various counties around Ireland, the eight films span a range of genres, including com-

edy, action, animation and drama, and each film was edited and produced by Windmill Lane Studios.

This year the awards will be hosted by Marissa Carter (pictured with Natalia), entrepreneur and owner of Cocoa Brown. Marissa said: “The LauraLynn Oscars is shaping up to be an amazing evening. The children and their families have put so much work into the films, and we can’t wait to see them all for the first time!

“It’s going to be such a fun event, with limos, a red carpet, celebs, screaming fans, and the full VIP premiere treatment – it’s going to be an absolute ball.”

WHILE some people are looking forward to their own exciting Oscars (see panel, left), others are turning from the big screen excitement to the buzz of the theatre, with next month seeing the world premiere of The Unmanageable Sisters.

Play wright Deirdre Kinahan presents a new version of Michel Tremblay’s acclaimed Quebecois comedy, Les Belles Soeurs, at the Abbey Theatre.

Running from February 26 to April 7, the play is set in Ballymun in 1974, where Ger Lawless has won a million GreenShield stamps and happiness is at her fingertips.

But when 15 friends and family gather to help her claim her winnings, all bets are off.

Over one fateful stampsticking party, these determined women bring the audience into their lives in the ferociously funny The Unmanageable Sisters.

The play is part of the Abbey’s Free First Preview initiative, where audiences are invited to attend the first night of Abbey productions at no charge.

STEP UP FOR A FUN ANNUAL 26KM WALK

SOME 2,000 people are expected to walk from Howth Harbour to Dun Laoghaire Harbour (or reverse) this St Patrick’s Day. The 13th annual Harbour2Harbour Walk raises vital funds for mental health organisation, Aware.

The 26km trek is suitable for most fitness levels and the walk will take participants along the scenic Dublin Bay route with a “halfway hooley” hosted at Dublin Port Company’s newly opened public plaza.

All funds raised will go towards Aware’s nationwide support, education and information services.

Gerry O’Brien, head of fundraising at Aware said: “The walk offers the perfect excuse to get friends and family together to mark St Patrick’s Day in a fun and healthy way, while also raising money for a great cause.

“As a result of this and other fundraising efforts, Aware is able to provide support services for individuals and families impacted by depression

or bipolar disorder, as well as delivering free mental health education programmes to adults and senior cycle students throughout the country.”

You can register now at aware.ie/events, at a cost of €25 per person.

CIRCUS FANS’LL GO BERSERK FOR THIS FRESH from London’s West End, a contemporary cirque-style production will be tumbling into the Bord Gais Energy Theatre this week.

Cirque Berserk! has had a run of sold-out seasons in Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland and the West End in London, and will come to Ireland for the first time for a limited run.

From February 27 until March 4, Cirque Berserk! is described as a “dangerfilled spectacle” that’s suitable for audiences of all ages.

Tickets are available now on Ticketmaster, priced from €15 to €30, with a special family ticket available for €80.

HELP SHOW RACISM THE RED CARD SHOW Racism the Red

Card are calling on primar y and secondar y schools, youth organisations, children and young people in Dublin to enter their annual Anti-Racism Creative Competition 2018.

The international antiracism and education charity’s competition encourages young people to develop creative antiracism messages using written, visual and audiovisual means, before the deadline of March 30.

Schools, organisations and individuals can get involved by registering online at www.theredcard.ie/competition.

The competition is open to entries in the following categories: Primary School, Secondary School, Youthreach, Youth services and Individual.

Entries can be submitted in the form of written articles, comment pieces, opinion pieces, reports, poems, sculpture, mural, mosaic, artworks, video, film or animation.

For further information on the competition, contact info@theredcard.ie.

22 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

Clowning about before their upcoming run to help support Aoife’s Clown Doctors ... What the group of Dublin runners lack in experience, they make up for with their determination to support the legacy of little Aoife (5), who died in 2012.

Today, ‘her’ clowns help to allay the nerves and fears of sick children in hospital.

CHARITY: DUBS GOING FUNDRAISING FOR KIND CLOWNS IS NO LAUGHING MATTER

Running off to London to help cheer up sick kids here  MARK O’BRIEN

A GROUP of ladies from Dublin – and one of their husbands – are set to travel to London on March 4 to take part in a race to raise funds for a bunch of clowns.

The group mainly comprise players from the Malahide-based St Sylvester’s Gaelic4Mothers & Others (G4M&O) team.

They will be travelling to London to participate in The Big Half, a half marathon starting at Tower Bridge and finishing in Greenwich.

One of the runners, Dee Roche, said: “The women travelling from our club all have different running standards, from beginners to the more experienced, but what they all do have in common is the charity which they have chosen to run for: Aoife’s Clown Doctors.

“Their fellow G4M&O

teammate Aine Hendrick and her family suffered the horrific loss of their daughter Aoife in 2012. St Sylvester’s G4M&O are choosing to fundraise for their amazing cause.”

Five-year-old Aoife attended Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin from May to August 2012 for treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Tragically, Aoife lost her short battle and died that summer only four months after being diagnosed.

“In 2014, as part of Aoife’s legacy, her parents Aine and Adrian set up Aoife’s Clown Doctors Ireland as entertainers who go into the children’s wards of Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin twice a week, to bring some fun and smiles to the families there,” said Dee. Aoife’s Clown Doctors are a team of professional

performers trained to work in hospitals.

They help create fun, laughter and creativity on the wards by parodying medical procedures and hospital jargon, helping to ease the fear and stress for children and parents.

Oversized medical equipment, ‘red-nose’ transplants, ‘cat’ scans and funny bone examinations are just a few examples of what might take place during a visit from a Clown Doctor.

Dee added: “Aoife’s Clown Doctors bring smiles and laughter to so many sick children in Crumlin and hopefully in the very near future they will be spreading the smiles in Temple Street Children’s Hospital and Tallaght Hospital too.”

To make a donation to Aoife’s Running Clowns, please visit https://www. gofundme.com/AoifesRunningClowns.

GAZETTE

FEATURE

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 22 February 2018

EVENTS No matter what’s happening around the city, The Gazette’s

Miriam O’Callaghan, Cyril Byrne and Robbie Reynolds. Pictures: SON Photographic

Andres Poveda with his highly commended images. Pictures: Shane O’Neill, SON Photographic

Billy and Hillary Higgins, Joanne Smith and Johnny Bambury

Celebrating some amazing shots T

HE annual awards of the Press Photographers Association of Ireland took place in Croke Park last week, with photographers from across the island of Ireland in attendance. This year marks 40 years since the founding of The Press Photographers Association of Ireland. The overall award of ‘Press Photographer of the Year’ 2018 was presented to Cyril Byrne, of The Irish Times. The judging panel was chaired by Dermot O’Shea and the judges were internationally renowned photographers Tom Stoddart and Eamonn McCabe.

2nd Sports Feature: Alun Wyn Jones, Iain Henderson, Ross Moriarty and Sam Warburton in the dressing room after the Lions vs New Zealand Provincial Barbarians game.

Pictures: Dan Sheridan / Inpho Photography

1st Reportage: UFC fighter Conor McGregor and boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. Pictures: Stephen McCarthy

Michael Chester with his highly commended images. Pictures: Shane O’Neill, SON Photographic

22 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

far-ranging photographers have all the events and angles covered

1st News: A tired and extremely gaunt looking Martin McGuinness leaving Stormont after handing in his resignation.

Picture: Justin Kernoghan

Group shot of all the winning photographers. Pictures: Shane O’Neill, SON Photographic

1st Daily Life and People: Children in Bulunkutu village, Maiduguri, 1st Sports Action: Seamus Coleman is tackled by Neil

Nigeria, one of many villages paralysed over the past eight years as

Taylor, of Wales, resulting in a broken leg.

Picture: Ryan Byrne

Pete Taylor. Picture: Gerry Mooney

Barbara Scully and Paul

Boko Harram attacked abducted and raped its women.

Sherwood

Picture: Steve Humpheries

GAZETTE

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 22 February 2018

DUBLINLIFE

PUZZLE PAGE SUDOKU

CODEWORDS EASY

TOUGH

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

HOW TO SOLVE

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

WORD SEARCH

Codewords are like crossword puzzles - but have no clues!

Instead, every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number, the same number representing the same letter throughout the puzzle.

All you have to do is decide which letter is represented by which number! To start you off, we reveal the codes for two or three letters.

As you find letters, enter them in the key and into the grid.

Cross off the letters in the A to Z list.

SCRIBBLE BOX

DON’T FORGET TO CHECK BACK NEXT WEEK FOR THE SOLUTIONS TO THIS WEEK’S PUZZLES

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

FIND THE FOLLOWING HIDDEN WORDS baseball cap

homburg

beanie

kepi

beret

mortarboard

boater

Panama

bowler

skullcap

crown

stetson

deerstalker

straw

derby

sunhat

fedora

top hat

fez

tricorne

forage cap

trilby

turban

22 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

My life feels like it’s over – my kids and husband don’t seem to notice ‘me’ I’M SO down at the moment, I just don’t know where to turn.

I’ve been married for almost 15 years, we have two lovely kids, but I feel my life is over.

My husband is a good man and provides for me and the kids, but he takes me for granted – there is no intimacy any more, and provided he has a clean shirt and a meal on the table he seems happy.

The kids are constantly demanding, to the point I dread waking up in the morning knowing it will be just the same as yesterday and the day before.

What can I do?

Anne, Templeogue

MARY SAYS: THIS sounds to me like a classic case of being ‘stuck in a rut’ and I can

GAZETTE

ADVICE REMINDER Mary needs you to contact her by noon on Monday, so don’t delay – send your problem to Dear Mary at Dublin Gazette today!

“I dread waking up in the morning knowing it will be just the same as yesterday and the day before”

empathise with how you are feeling.

It’s very debilitating to feel that you are simply living your life for other people and you feel that you have become lost as an individual and as a human being.

The good news is that you can do something about it.

It’s time to take back some control.

You need to talk to your husband about this. This won’t be easy and you need to pick the right time to do it, maybe when you have some quiet time without the kids.

The chances are he will have no idea how you are feeling and, as he sounds like a decent man to me, will want to help.

You have to remember, Anne, that some men find it hard to communicate on an emotional level. As he provides for you and the kids, he probably feels he is sticking to his part of the bargain.

You need to be honest with him, expect some resistance, expect him to justify his behaviour and don’t expect to sort it out in one conversation, but you need to start

communicating again.

If the prospect scares you, then suggest a third-party mediator to him – a mediator can often provide that first step to bridge the communication barrier.

I think once you start to communicate then you can start to take back control of your life, find time for yourself and put things into perspective. I wish you well ...

Is there something on your mind? Mary is delighted to offer her advice to Dublin Gazette readers; email her at marybyrne@dublingazette.com

22 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

DUBLINLIFE

 JAMES HENDICOTT

in the way the duo perform, too, and even feature in the touring style, which will see them DJ ACCESSIBLE London house act com- on one tour and head out live on the next. bine beats and an intelligent approach “It is very different,” Gibbon admits. “We do to building their business in an effort to the live shows more in festival season, stuff like take over the world of chart dance, and that. They are full on live shows, with lots of flit into the underground, too. instrumentation on stage, and we bring two difIn a world where some of music’s biggest art- ferent vocalists to perform the various different ists are commercialising their work in - from a special guest slots. fan’s perspective, at least - all the wrong ways, “That’s a difficult job, given there are so many it’s refreshing to see more of an ethos-driven, different vocal styles on our tracks, but they do hard-working and multi-faceted approach to it really well. But the DJ sets (such as the one slipping seamlessly into the big time. planned for Dublin) are far more underground London house music duo Gorgon City are than the live shows, and a good chance to presnot quite a household name yet, and a far cry ent a load of the music we haven’t released.” from the growing world of high-cost VIP meet and greets or ticket sales linked in with buying a small heap of merchandise.

In their world, though, they’re edging close to the summit, and the story of their rise is about far more than 2014 hit single ‘Ready For Your Love’.

The duos sound is always beat-driven, taking much of its inspiration from the deep house and garage scenes, but adds chart colour with a series of special guest vocalists.

In the past, their tracks have incorporated anyone from MNET to Klaxons, Wyclef Jean to Jennifer Hudson.

Performing both live and as DJs, and perhaps most importantly as part of a heavily franchised, multinational radio show, the pair have developed their music in a series of directions, also splitting their sound into what they see as their chart-ready, accessible angle and a more underground, edgy buzz that comes out in DJ sets and in their popular, franchised radio show.

“The radio show still feels new,” Kye ‘Foamo’ Gibbon tells us ahead of their return to Dublin club District 8.

“It’s been exciting to have a radio show in a lot of countries where we’ve never actually played. It’s led to a lot of new bookings coming from places like South America, Asia and Eastern Europe.

“It’s also a really cool project,” he continues.

“It really keeps us on top of new music, and helps us work towards the development of our own label.

“We hope to be releasing stuff from other people before too long, and we’re keeping a close eye on quite a few up and coming producers.

“The radio, the club night, they all contribute towards the brand,” Gibbon explains.

“That’s building towards Kingdom, which is now both a brand and an album; it’s become part of our identity as a band as well as being a record, as linked in with the radio show as well.”

The album version of Kingdom, in fact, has been on the horizon for quite some time, but it is now just around the corner.

“It’ll be out this year, probably late summer,” Gibbon tells us.

“It’s almost a ‘best of’ compilation with some new bits, and it’s more song based, like our first album. We’ll also be putting out more underground and club-friendly bits separately.”

Those two different identities shine through

MUSIC Dance music is currently in an interesting place generally, as Gibbon is not afraid to admit.

The progressive closing of clubs in London is mirrored in Dublin. While our capital has never been a particularly outstanding clubbing heartland, for reasons varying from restrictive licensing laws to the dominance of competing pubs, gentrification around nightlife venues is a growing factor in our scene and London’s.

“It seems like it’s dying all over the country,” Gibbon says of UK clubbing.

“We love Printworks [a new 6000 capacity London super-club], but too many clubs are turning into things like luxury apartments. A lot

LET’S GO OUT MUSIC

of places have closed over the last few years and that’s a real shame.”

As for the band’s future?

“We’ll keep moving between the mainstream and the underground,” Gibbon says.

“We’ll be back in Amnesia [Ibiza] this summer for another residence, and looking to release a load of different stuff, ours and other people’s.

“We’re in America, then around Europe in the next couple of months, and wé’re just back from Australia. It’s non-stop.”

Gorgon City play District 8 on Friday, March 28, with album ‘Kingdom’ due in the summer.

You can listen to their regular radio slot at gorgoncity.com

GAZETTE

GAZETTE

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 22 February 2018

PICKWEEK OF THE

Gorgon City

FEBRUARY 25 (SUNDAY) SEAL @ Olympia Theatre, €59.50 Backed by a big band, the multi-award winning British soul legend Seal will be performing songs from the new album, alongside his classic hits ‘Killer’ and ‘Kiss from a Rose’.

Building a Dance Dynasty

BEST OF THE REST FEBRUARY 22 (Thursday) I Dermot Kennedy @ Olympia Theatre, €22 Katie Laffan @ Whelan’s, €13 Budding urban pop star Katie Laffan is one of a growing avalanche of top-class hip-hop infused artists from around Dublin.

Kygo @ 3Arena, €51 Hothouse Flowers @ Vicar Street, €30 Brona Keogh + Jane Willow + Ryan Cahill + Crome Yellow + Lauryn Keating @ Purty Kitchen, €5

SEAL of approval

FEBRUARY 23 (Friday) King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard @ Olympia Theatre, €25.50 Don’t be put off my the mad name, these Aussie rockers are a class act.

Mary Black sings Jimmy Mac @ Pavilion Theatre, €35 Luke Clerkin @ The Sound House, €10 Jiggy @ Whelan’s, €16 Paul Draper @ Workman’s Club, €18.50 Wyvern Lingo @ Button Factory, €19.50 Cory Wong @ The Sugar Club, €15 Fredo @ The Academy, €17.35 Sun Mahshene + My Pilot

@ Whelan’s (Upstairs), late show FEBRUARY 24 (Saturday) Elbow @ 3Arena, €59.50 Marlon Williams @ Whelan’s, €22 Duke Special @ Unitarian Church, €22 A truly creative songwriter who pointedly refuses to conform to any kind of fashion, Belfast musician Duke Special riffs on literature and aging photographs in his gorgeous melodies.

Mystic Tears + Robert Delaney + Jack Spoke @ The Underground, €8 Karms @ W helan’s (Upstairs), €10 FEBRUARY 25 (Sunday) Seal @ Olympia Theatre, €59.50 The Bootleg Beatles + UCD Symphony Orchestra @ Bord Gais Energy Theatre, €45 Rickie Lee Jones @ Vicar Street, €40.

FEBRUARY 26 (Monday) Imagine Dragons @ 3 Arena, €41 FEBRUARY 27 (Tuesday) The Ruby Sessions @ Doyle’s, €6

GAZETTE

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 22 February 2018

DUBLINLIFE

FEATURES

RADIO: SPIN1038’S BILLBOARD CAMPAIGN READY TO (HOPEFULLY) HELP FOUR DUBS FIND LOVE

Helping Cupid find his mark  REBECCA RYAN

ARE you looking for love and fed up scrolling through apps looking for Mr or Ms Right?

Well, you can say goodbye to apps and hello to a whole new kind of dating with SPIN1038!

As recently revealed in Du bl in Ga z ette, S PI N 10 3 8 ’s F u l l y Charged Breakfast duo, Graham and Nathan – now dubbed the ‘Cupids of Dublin’ – are launching a new dating concept that will see the faces of four Dublin singles featured on billboards around the city.

In an Irish radio first, Fully Charged’s Billboard Singles campaign will see

four Dublin singles get their very own billboard dating ad for two weeks from next Monday, February 26.

Prospective daters who want the chance to date one of the Billboard Singles just need to send in a WhatsApp voice message on why they’d like a date with them and the Billboard Single will get to pick their perfect match on air.

Dublin Gazette caught up with Graham and Nathan, who told us why they decided it was time to flex their matchmaking muscles and shake up the dating scene for Dubliners.

Graham said: “It all

What a luvverly bunch of people ... Nathan O’Reilly, Graham O’Toole, Doireann Garrihy and Martin Guilfoyle, launching SPIN 1038’s Fully Charged’s Billboard Singles campaign

started a couple of weeks ago. Nathan has a friend and we call him ‘Rusty Rupert’ to hide his identity because he doesn’t want us talking about him on the radio.

“Well, Rusty was out of the dating game for about two years. He got back into it and went on a date and it didn’t go too well at all.

“He didn’t really like the whole online dating thing, and he was just talk-

ing to Nathan about it, so we brought it onto the show and we said to ourselves, ‘We would love to find a new way for Rusty

Rupert and people like him to find love, a new way that didn’t involve dating apps or having to go up to someone in

GARDENING: YOU MAY NOT HAVE NOTICED, BUT LIFE IS RETURNING

It’s time to reconnect with the spring garden ALTHOUGH it may seem as though winter still has us in its grip, it’s getting weaker by the day and spring is around the corner.

As we gear up for another growing season, I’d like to encourage you to reconnect with your garden whenever you have a chance.

It’s been a particularly wet and dirty winter in these parts, with more than the usual amount of mud and last year’s brown leaves still lingering in corners.

However, when you venture outside and really look at what’s happening, you can see that the garden has been busy – even though all but the hardiest gardeners have probably not been doing much in the way of gardening for the past few months.

Spring bulbs are already

Anne Byrne Garden Design provides easy to follow garden plans that you can implement right away or in stages.

Her design flair and passion for plants brings a touch of magic to gardens of all sizes.

Anne Byrne Garden Design – Creative Ideas  ANNE BYRNE – Practical Solutions – Stunning Gardens. info@dublingazette.com

Small narcissi can bloom as early as this month

poking their sturdy little tips through the soil, with snowdrops already in full swing.

Crocuses won’t be long and very soon the earliest narcissi, in particular the little golden “Tete a Tete” and “February

G o l d ”, will be scattering sunshine w h e r ever they bloom.

Catkins are unfurling o n a l d e r, birch and hazel.

It’s still very early days and we could be in for several more weeks of freezing weather, not to mention hail, rain and sleet, but these tiny signs of life serve to remind us that the

year is turning, days are getting longer – even though you may not quite notice it yet – and we have a fresh, new year ahead of us, with all the possibilities that brings.

Whenever you can, wrap up warmly and head into the garden – even if it’s just for five or ten minutes on a Saturday morning.

Bring a hot mug of tea with you if that helps, and work the whole way around your plot from one corner to another, looking, noticing and really seeing the tiny little signs that life is still going on.

Let the early birdsong gladden your heart. Come outside and reconnect!

FOR further information on Anne Byrne Garden Design, call 086 683 8098, or see www. annebyrnegardendesign.com

public’. So, we decided to set up billboards around Dublin!”

It’s been a huge success so far, and the lads told Dublin Gazette the four singles are being revealed on air this week on Fully Charged.

Nathan added: “More than 350 people applied for this and we managed to whittle it down to just four people. They’re all different sort of people, in age and sexual orientation, and we’re very happy.”

Graham and Nathan feel it is time for something new, and the ‘Cupids of Dublin’ are hoping to spice up the Dublin dating scene: Nathan said: “I think some people think that, in Ireland, we’re quite conservative in terms of dating.

“If you go to America, I know a lot of my friends

would say, ‘Oh my God, it’s so easy to get a date’; you can literally ask someone out at the supermarket.

“But if you went up to someone on Grafton Street, I’d be scared that they’d call the gardai or spray you with pepper spray! I had to learn that the hard way; my eyes are extremely sensitive!” he joked.

Graham said: “I hope this changes the dating scene and it makes people a little more confident and outgoing. Because, as Nathan said, it’s so different in Ireland to America in the way you go about dating. Hey, imagine this changes the dating scene for ever!”

Billboard Nathan added: “Could you imagine if a grandfather was surrounded by his grandchildren and they asked, ‘Hey grandad, where did you meet granny?’ ‘Well I met her on a billboard’. That’s my vision!”

Lastly, Graham said: “I’m going to do my damned hardest to help these people find love because I’m a softie at heart.”

You can follow the Billboard Singles journey every morning on the Fully Charged Breakfast Show and potential daters can keep their eyes peeled for the Singes Billboards from February 26.

22 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

GAZETTE

AWARENESS CAMPAIGN: ACKNOWLEDGING AND CELEBRATING THOSE WITHIN FOSTERING COMMUNITY

Fostering Changes Lives THE Irish Foster Care Association (IFCA) is the representative body for foster care in Ireland that promotes excellence in foster care for all those involved.

Their membership is broad based and includes foster and relative carers, social workers, child care workers, academics and others with an interest in or who are involved in foster care.

Fostering Fortnight is the IFCA’s annual awareness campaign to promote awareness of foster care and the incredible work being done by so many people in support of the most vulnerable of our children, that are being raised in

foster care in Ireland.

It is a chance to acknowledge and celebrate all those within the fostering community who play an important role in supporting children in foster care; foster families, related professionals, the wider community and others working to ensure that children in foster care are supported to reach their full potential.

Fostering fortnight acknowledges the team effort that goes into promoting excellence in foster care.

The theme this year is ‘Fostering Changes Lives’ and #bepartofit

Foster Care can change lives; for both the child in foster care, their birth family and the foster family

The IFCA Helpline is available five days per week from 11am - 3pm Telephone: 01 458 5123 Email: support@ifca.ie

How to get involved THEY are asking everyone to come together during Fostering Fortnight and support one another with coffee mornings, bake sales, family baking and fun get-togethers.

IFCA offers a dedicated Support Service to members and anyone involved or interested in foster care in Ireland.

This service provides practical information and advice regarding any aspect of fostering as well as a supportive listening ear.

IFCA regularly meets with Tusla and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and other stakeholders to communicate the issues and experiences of our members and propose positive solutions to inform best practice in foster care in Ireland.

The Importance of Foster Care Foster care is the backbone of the alternative care system in Ireland.

The number of children in care at the end of November 2017 was 6,182; of these, 92% are in foster care (65% in general foster care and 27% in relative foster care.)

This means that the majority of children in care, are supported in a family setting and can grow and develop in a secure environment while remaining connected to their birth family.

There are different types of foster care in Ireland; short term and long-term placements, emergency care and respite care. All of these offer support to a child in need and we should be proud

that in Ireland the majority of children in care are cared for in this environment.

The Irish Foster Care Association carried out research amongst its members in 2017* and what was clear to see from the research was the enthusiasm of foster families for the children in their care.

A total of 95% of foster carer respondents reported that knowing they have helped a child or family in need as being a reward.

It was clear from the survey that foster carers saw fostering as a vocation rather than as a career or a profession.

Membership of the Association is open to all those who have an interest in foster care.

You can join by visiting www. ifca.ie or by contacting the Office Tel: 01 459 9474.

Remember the first year’s membership is free.

24 DUBLIN GAZETTE 22 February 2018

DUBLINLIFE

BeautyBITS

Mint Velvet La Vie En Rose Tee €55

Penneys Michigan cropped sweatshirt €14

Going to Great Lengths for beautiful hair GREAT Lengths has teamed up with celebrity hairdresser, Angelo Seminara for the third year

Penneys Made in the 90’s Nickelodeon T-shirt €6

running for their stunning campaign Mirage. Seminara, international creative director and fourtime winner of the British Hairdresser of the Year Award, looked to the heat, sand and indescribable colours of the breathtaking Namibian desert as the inspiration behind the collaboration. Seminara said: “This gives me the opportunity to work with, what is in my opinion, is the best quality hair extensions on the market, and to breathe life into my creative visions. Great Lengths Extensions provide endless opportunities in the creative process, and also in the real world.” To find a Great Lengths certified salon or stylist, please visit: http://www. greatlengthshair.co.uk/salon-locator/

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MOTIF Madness  Rachel D’Arcy

STYLE is constantly changing, but there’s one thing that’s always steadfast – a slogan or motif print t-shirt. Easy to dress up or dress down, there’s a style to suit all styles and ages. A simple tee can be worn with jeans and a blazer for a casual cool in work, or dressed down for a relaxing day off.

High street and designer brands alike are fully embracing the trend, with their latest launches featuring everything from 90’s cartoons to a celestial star print.

Mint Velvet Granite Scattered Star knit €95 TK Maxx Navy and Grey Lemon print striped jumper €24.99

22 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

STYLE

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 Jessica Maile, Style Editor

LET ME be crystal clear. Even though the weather has been a bit wet and dreary, there are many ways to brighten your day. Add a bit of fun to your wardrobe with a clear raincoat in a bright neon colour or protect your crown with a funky

see-through hat. On less cloudier days, barely-there sunglasses will keep things rosy and bright. Continue the glow with a cheek tint like Benefit’s posie tint or a dab of NYX Professional Makeup’s Away We Glow liquid highlighter.

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ent TRP-Regulin to instantly reduce and soothe redness. The CALM Redness Relief Soothing Mask has proven to reduce tightness and burning by 70%, and reduces the appearance of redness.

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Their Nutricia Baume Levres is a nourishing lip balm to help sooth and protect lip’s delecate skin It uses sweet almond virgin

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It feels super soft and gives your lips a soft sheen while keeping them super comfy and hydrated. What more can you ask for?

Payot Nutricia Baume Levres, (RRP €18.50 ) is available in pharmacies nationwide

GAZETTE

26 DUBLIN GAZETTE 22 February 2018

DUBLINLIFE

COMMUNITY: LOTS OF GREAT ACTIVITIES FOR ALL DURING POPULAR FESTIVITIES

Join in the fun across the city as the Chinese celebrate The Year of the Dog  JORDAN UPSHAW

towards 12-17-year-olds later in the day; tickets for these are €10 each.

For Mandarin speakers, learners, and lovers there will be special Mandarin guided tours at EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum on February 24 and 25 all day long; ticket prices vary.

On February 24 and 25, the museum is offering a free children’s Chinese lantern painting workshop with any regular family ticket purchase; family tickets include admission for two adults and two children, and are priced €35 each.

There are also plenty of free events coming up.

The CHQ Building will host the Spring Festival Fair on February Opera singer Neria Wang (9) in traditional costume Pic: Leon Farrell

Yu Ying Yang (8), Kai Xin Zheng (5) and Lin Jia Zheng (6) help to launch this year’s Chinese New Year Festival.

Picture: Sasko Lazarov

24 and 25. This year’s programming is completely caninethemed and will feature performances, demonstrations, and games.

There will be lots of fun family-friendly activities such as Chinese calligraphy, Chinese paper cutting, Chinese tea ceremonies, red-envelope workshops, ping pong, face-painting, dog figuremaking workshops and fairground rides.

Artist Barbara O’Connell will be teaching a Year of the Dog family-orientated stamp and print workshop on February 24 at the Dublin City Gallery. The event is free and no booking is required.

The Chester Beatty Library will host Professor Yan Yi Blake, from the Irish Chinese Cultural Society, who will give a free talk about the origins and significance of various Chinese new year tra-

ditions on February 24.

The library will also host a special screening of the classic 1948 Chinese film, Spring in a Small Town, on February 25.

will be awarded. This is a free event but booking is required.

The Chester Beatty Library will also host Tai Chi workshops for teenagers on March 3.

Picture: Sasko Lazarov

THE annual Dublin Chinese New Year Festival started last week (on Friday, February 16) and is featuring fun, educational events for the whole family until March 4.

To welcome and help usher in the Year of the Dog, Asia Market []outlets?] served up a tasty variety of free dumplings all day, with a ‘dumpling day’ event.

There were also stalls that taught patrons how to make their o w n dumplings and a talk about the history of the iconic food.

Asia Market, Dr ur y Street is continuing to host food-related events over the coming weeks, with food-tasting tours today (Thursday, February 22) and on March 1 which promise to be both tasty and educational; tickets are priced €20 each.

Asia Market will also host Friday Lunchtime Culture Talks tomorrow (Friday, February 23) and on March 2, with themes of Chinese New Year Traditions and Chinese Food as Medicine, respectively; tickets are priced €15 each.

There will be a Chinese Comic Book Workshop for children aged 4-12 on February 24, while for older children, there will be a workshop geared

FEATURE

Yu Ying Yang and Lin Jia Zheng with Rupert

The film is in Mandarin with English subtitles and no booking is required for this free event.

February 25 will see the Year of the Dog Sports Tournament. There will be soccer, basketball and badminton and prizes

There will be one for 12-15-year-olds and another for 15-17-yearolds; booking is required.

This is the eleventh year of the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival put on by the City Arts Office, part of the Culture, Com-

munity and Recreation Department of Dublin City Council. The festival aims to strengthen understanding of the Sino-Irish relationship.

Of the festival, President Michael D Higgins said: “In the Chinese zodiac the dog symbolises honesty and loyalty, reminding us of the need to place high standards of integrity and a genuine spirit of inclusion at the heart of our society.

It is my sincere hope that, working together, we can craft such a society.

“The Chinese community in Ireland have played a critical role in the crafting of a more diverse and multicultural Ireland; one in which all our citizens can have a voice and be enabled to realise all of their possibilities.”

For further information on all of the programme events and to purchase tickets, see www.dublinchinesenewyear.com.

22 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 27

IFTA 2018

Awards Some of this year’s key categories included the following winners ...

FEATURE FILM Michael Inside Cardboard Gangsters Handsome Devil The Killing of a Sacred Deer Maudie Song of Granite ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE – FILM John Connors, Cardboard Gangsters Colin Farrell, The Killing of a Sacred Deer Dafhyd Flynn, Michael Inside Fionn O Shea, Handsome Devil Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Maze ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – FILM Barry Keoghan, The Killing of a Sacred Deer Jacob McCarthy, The Drummer and The Keeper Andrew Scott, Handsome Devil Fionn Walton, Cardboard Gangsters Barry Ward, Maze ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE – FILM Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird Sarah Bolger, Halal Daddy Ann Skelly, Kissing Candice ACTRESS SUPPORTING ROLE – FILM Victoria Smurfit, The Lears Niamh Algar, The Drummer and The Keeper Sarah Carroll, The Limit Of Deirdre O Kane, Halal Daddy Fionna Hewitt Twamley, Cardboard Gangsters DIRECTOR FILM Aisling Walsh, Maudie Frank Berry, Michael Inside John Butler, Handsome Devil Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Mark O Connor, Cardboard Gangsters SCRIPTWRITER FILM Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Frank Berry, Michael Inside Stephen Burke, Maze John Butler, Handsome Devil Nick Kelly, The Drummer and The Keeper

GAZETTE

CINEMA 2018 IFTAS: INDUSTRY NODS TO THE BEST ACTORS AND CREATIVES MAKING A MARK

A glittering celebration of our top TV, film talents  SHANE DILLON

ANOTHER year, and another round of IFTAs, (Irish Film and Television Academy awards), with the glittering celebration late last week highlighting some of the many big and small-screen stars hailing from our small island.

While there used to be a usual-suspects feel to the IFTAs for rather a few too many years, the whole shebang has evolved in recent times, with the industry as a whole noticing that, actually, the Irish really are pretty widespread in ‘the biz’.

While the public constantly sees the likes of (aforementioned usual suspects) Saoirse Ronan and Colin Farrell now flying the flag for Ire-

land, many lesser-known names have been quietly editing, writing, designing and filming their way to international kudos and acclaim.

As such, the IFTAs give a rare but very welcome public glimpse at just some of the terrific talents hailing from a small, rainlashed island on the edge of Europe.

And no, I don’t mean ‘Craggy Island’.

First up, and despite some tough competition John Connors had a very well deserved Actor in a Leading Role win for his striking role in Cardboard Gangsters.

The tale of Darndale wannabes drifting closer to the big time in the drugs trade – and ever closer to acrimonious disaster – was

a grittily powerful look at a slice of Irish life that’s normally hidden, but Connors made the film and role his own with a searing performance, making him one to watch.

Moving on, and despite some tough competition, nobody could begrudge Saoirse Ronan’s Actress in a Leading Role win, thanks to Lady Bird.

The film (and her role) has been wowing with ease, striking a chord in virtually every release territory it’s popped up in, with Ronan (and ‘mom’, Laurie

Above: Many of the great and the good of Irish film and TV gathered for the awards; right: President Michael D Higgins presented the one and only Gabriel Byrne with the Lifetime Achievement Award

Metcalf) nailing the nature of often fraught mother-daughter relationships with aplomb.

A n o t h e r largely expected Scriptwriter Film win came for M a r t i n McDonagh, with his no-nons e n s e work on Three

Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri wowing.

His naturalistic, often uncomfortable approach to dialogue and character proved a real winner, with ‘Billboards’ seeing him on top form.

Of course, these are only the low-handing fruit; the headline awards of a particularly eclectic gathering of nominees and sectors within our small but busy film and

TV sector.

It’s clear that, despite some quiet years, the Irish industry is plugging away, with an impressive crop of actors, directors and industry talents crafting and creating some superb work to look out for. Roll on the 2019 IFTAs ...

For all the awards and winners, see www.ifta.ie/ awards.

MeanwhileInBritain...

GIVEN the focus on our own busy industry with the IFTAs, it’s no surprise that the BAFTAs ‘next door’ – held last weekend – didn’t particularly mirror many of the names shortlisted at our own ceremony.

Even so, there were several parallels in both high-profile, glittering ceremonies, with many of the same people and titles popping up as one winner or nominee or other in the award ceremonies.

However, unlike the IFTAs, most years sees the BAFTAs scrutinised as a bellwether

for the Oscars (which come trotting along in their wake the following month), but this year it seems that the Oscars could go any which way, thanks to a particularly eclectic field of films, stars and crew in the running.

Box office slugger Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri scooped Best Film, Best Actress and best Original Screenplay awards, as expected, alongside Outstanding British Film, and Best Supporting Actor (for Sam Rockell, who faced co-star Woody Harrelson in the same category).

Many had expected The Shape of Water

to make a bigger splash (sorry) at the awards, but in the end it ‘just’ had to make do with wins for Best Original Music, Best Production Design, and Best Director.

As for the likes of Get Out, Lady Bird, and Call Me by Your Name (which at least nabbed Best Adapted Screenplay), their expected wins failed to materialise – but that wasn’t the surprise it might have been, given the particularly high calibre of nominees.

With such surprising results repeated at film ceremonies all around the world, the Oscar wins next month are anything but certain ...

28 DUBLIN GAZETTE 22 February 2018

GAZETTE

DUBLINLIFE FASTNews Volvo XC40: appeal

Call to action for motorists during 181 registration period IRELAND’S only electronic parking and tolling tag provider, easytrip is urging its customers to update their easytrip account details if buying or selling a vehicle to avoid incurring any unnecessary toll charges.

Possible scenarios that can lead to paying unexpected toll charges include: · Selling your old vehicle: if you’ve sold your old vehicle and inadvertently left your tag in the vehicle and haven’t updated your toll tag account, the new owner may continue to use your tag at most barrier toll plazas, racking up a bill connected to your account. · Buying a new vehicle: if you’ve bought a new vehicle and transferred your existing tag to it but forgot to update your account details, you’ll risk receiving a toll bill (billed at the higher rate) and penalty charge if you’ve travelled through the M50 toll plaza as your new vehicle registration is not connected to your toll tag account.

Easytrip customers can update their vehicle details through their online account at www.easytrip.ie or by contacting easytrip on 1890 67 67 68. Signing up to an easytrip tag account means that you save €1 on M50 toll fees and avoid incurring M50 toll fines for nonpayment within the specified period.

Berlingo Multispace updated THE arrival of the new Citroen Berlingo Multispace heralds an update for the iconic ‘Leisure Activity Vehicle’ (LAV) which it created 22 years ago. The new model, to be shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March, claims a fresh combination of design, comfort

Volvo’s XC40 has to be the head-turning car for early 2018 with stand-out style that links traditional Volvo safety credentials with modern SUV styling.

MICHAEL MORONEY took it on test and the appeal of the car just grew and grew.

I’VE been waiting to needed. The engine get behind the wheel choice seemed a of the Volvo XC40 natural one, deliverEngine 2.0 litre ing power and pace because it’s such a Engine Power 190 bhp to the car, with a new car in the Volvo smooth flow through range, with stand-out 0 – 100km/hr 5.3 seconds the gears. design lines that from Economy 20km/litre Volvo claims that the outset give it a very (5/100km or 56mpg) this XC40 is the first special appeal for me.

Fuel Tank Capacity 54 litres car on Volvo Cars’ Before Christmas I CO2 emissions 131g/km new modular vehicle sat into the XC40 in Road Tax Band B2 €280 architecture, which Volvo’s Grafton Street they claim will underpop-up shop and all Main Service 20,000km/12 months pin all other upcomthat did was fuel my Euro NCAP Rating NA ing cars in the 40 driving desire even Warranty 3 years (100,000km) series, including fully more.

Entry Price €38,900 electrified vehicles.

I just wonder how This diesel engine many others felt the same way? the V40 makes the XC40 look so option is clean in terms of emisThis new small Volvo compact much more robust. That combi- sions and gives reasonable econSUV ticks so many boxes for the nation included large 20in wheels omy.

The 54 litre capacity fuel tank brand that it’s sure to be building to add to the composure on the that also demands the use of up waiting lists across Europe, not road.

The car was powered by a 2.0 AdBlue additive in a separated to mention Dublin. Out on the road the appeal of the car grew litre turbo-diesel engine linked to nozzle, gave me ample range an eight-speed automatic gearbox of almost 800km, which is very more as I drove it.

The compact car design and and a seamless all-wheel-drive acceptable for a car of this size.

The fuel economy perforraised structure compared with system that works only when it’s

Volvo XC40 D4 AWD R-Design

and ease of use.

It features three independent and easily folding rear seats (row two), a flat floor through to the folding front passenger seat, 19 driving assistance technologies, four connectivity technologies and latest-generation engines.

The entry model will be powered by the new BlueHDi 130 1.5 diesel unit and a new EAT8 (8-speed) automatic gearbox. The new Berlingo will be available in two

Land Rover returns with Discovery commercial

sizes, M and XL, measuring 4.40m and 4.75m in length respectively, with five and seven seats. The Berlingo has new body styling with a more forward-set windscreen and a higher and shorter front end, achieved through the use of the EMP2 platform.

AFTER a period of absence, Land Rover is now offering a new commercial version of the Land Rover Discovery in Ireland.

This new commercial Discovery is priced from €52,695 ex-delivery (VAT at €9,737) in Ireland, and is available in SE and HSE specifications across the 3.0 TD6 model.

Featuring 1,856 litres of load space replacing the second and third row seats, the new Discovery claims driver and passenger premium levels of comfort and entertainment.

Available with Land Rover’s 3.0D TD6 258bhp engine, Discovery Commercial shares the

fundamental underpinnings of the Discovery, from its wide-spaced double-wishbone design at the front to its advanced multi-link layout at the rear.

Discovery Commercial comes exclusively with four-wheel-drive, automatic transmission, twin-speed transfer box and air suspension.

Fitted solely with Discovery’s front row seating, the HSE models feature heated seats and a cold climate pack as standard which includes, heated windscreen, heated washer jets and heated steering wheel.

mance is marginally better from the smaller engine Audi Q2, while a match for BMW’s X1, both of which I would consider to be XC40’s obvious competitors.

The XC40 is a better power performer and proves itself very capable on the road, where the automatic gearbox has to be the obvious choice, but be prepared for the extra price.

The compact nature of the XC40 means that it’s comfortable in city driving as well as the more adventurous off-road locations.

The all-wheel-drive system fitted to the test car will kick in on demand as wheel-slip and wheelspin signal the need for more traction.

It feels more spacious than some of the competition and it’s marginally longer. The wheelbase also extends longer than that of the Audi Q2 and the BMWX1, for added road comfort.

With Volvo’s heritage, it’s no surprise that this car comes with all of Volvo’s safety technology that we have experienced in the 90 and 60 series cars.

Volvo claims that these technologies make the XC40 one of the best-equipped small premium SUVs on the market.

Safety and driver-assistance features on the XC40 include Volvo Cars’ Pilot Assist system, City Safety, Run-off Road Protection

22 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

Skoda gives Fabia a styling update SKODA’S Fabia gets redesigned

charged with direct petrol injec-

front and rear end including LED

tion, enabling them to generate

lights front and rear for its launch

95bhp and 110bhp.

at the Geneva Motor Show.

of driver assistance systems,

lights are now being offered for

including Blind Spot Detection

the Fabia for the first time.

feature alerts the driver to the

space for phones (including inductive charging), a foldout hook for small bags and a removable waste bin in the tunnel console.

And like all things Swedish design, these spaces need a mindset to be effective, because while they are present, they don’t allow for bulky storage.

This new XC40 is available with a D4 diesel or a T5 petrol four-cylinder Drive-E engine option.

Volvo will be offering a hybridised version of the car later this year, along with a pure electric version.

Entry prices look temptingly attractive at €38,900 but that’s where the fun

begins and cars such as the R-Design version that I had on test, complete with the full package of extra’s will add over €20,000 to the base price.

Make your Volvo XC40 choices with judicious care and you will end up with a car that’s stylish, distinctive and great to drive.

presence of vehicles in the blind

been extended too, including the

spot or approaching rapidly

addition of 18-inch wheels for the

from behind when driving on

hatchback while the redesigned

multi-lane highways.

instrument cluster, new trim

The Rear Traffic Alert system

strips for the dashboard and

monitors what is going on behind

two-tone finishes for the seats

the vehicle and warns of a risk of

update the interior.

collision when reversing.

The new line-up of engines for

and Mitigation, Cross Traffic Alert with brake support.

The 360° camera helps drivers manoeuvre their car into tight parking spaces.

The XC40 claims to offer a radical new approach to storage inside the car. True, there is more functional storage space in the doors and under the seats, a special

The new Fabia gets a choice

LED headlights and LED rear

The choice of alloy wheels has

Volvo’s new XC40 is a very impressive looking and stylish compact SUV. The entry price looks competitive at €38,900 while the extra’s including the R-Design styling add significantly to the price and also the pleasure

GAZETTE

keeps growing

MOTORING

Another newly available

the Skoda Fabia will consist of

feature is Light Assist, which

four petrol versions, each with

automatically switches to low

three cylinders and a capacity

beam as soon as the system

of 1.0 litre and claims of diesel

detects oncoming traffic or vehi-

engine efficiency.

cles ahead.

The lower powered MPI engines

The Fabia infotainment system

feature indirect injection and

‘Swing’ now offers a 6.5-inch

produce outputs of 60bhp and

display and also allows drivers to

75bhp respectively.

use the full range of mobile online

The two TSI engines are turbo-

services from Skoda Connect.

Mercedes-Benz plans Sprinter vans for June MERCEDES-BENZ commercial vehicles division in Ireland confirmed that the new generation of Sprinter panel vans will arrive in Ireland in June.

The Sprinter was first introduced in 1995 and the model has since sold in excess of 3.4 million units worldwide.

The designers of the new Sprinter set out to create a van that would surpass its two illustrious predecessors.

In practical terms, this meant the new Sprinter comes with a larger load volume and lowering of the rear floor height to make for easier loading and greater ease-of-access for drivers.

This has also brought

improved cab comfort and driver access because of the option of front-wheel-drive within the engine mix.

The Sprinter comes with a new networked, online connectivity system that gives operators control over the fleet.

These easy-to-operate additions, Mercedes PRO Connect and new MBUX multimedia system, all mean easier fleet management, whether of a large, multi vehicle business or a small company fleet.

Functions monitored include vehicle operation and supervision, fleet communication, maintenance management and a digital driver’s logbook.

Mercedes PRO Connect provides eight connectivity packages that make for greater efficiency, lower operating costs, improved vehicle availability and optimised communication within the fleet.

The system is designed to relieve the workload of managers, fleet manage-

ment, controllers, dispatchers and drivers.

It works by linking the fleet manager to vehicles and driver, allowing assignments to be managed online, and vehicle information such as location, fuel level or maintenance intervals to be retrieved in real time.

Renault’s new offers extended to end of March RENAULT Group Ireland’s network has new offers on models ordered and registered by 31 March 2018 across its Renault and Dacia passenger car and LCV ranges.

The Renault passenger car offer includes 3% APR, three years’ servicing and €1,000 cash back, while Renault is also offering 0% HP and three years’ servicing on the stylish Kadjar.

With the recent Government Budget announcement on EVs and 0% Benefit-in-Kind (B.I.K.), Renault is ‘matching the zeros’ on the zero emissions electric ZOE with a 0% HP offer.

Dacia is offering 0% APR on Sandero Stepway Alternative 1.5 dCi diesel and 4.9% APR across the refreshed range which includes Duster, Sandero, Sandero Stepway, Logan and Logan Stepway.

On Renault’s award-winning LCV range which includes Master, Trafic and Kangoo, customers can avail of 3% APR HP over 60 months with a reduced deposit.

These offers are available through Renault’s very own bank, Renault Bank, where they claim that they can offer two-hour decision times and approval rates of 80%.

30 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 22 February 2018

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22 February 2018 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 33

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GAZETTE

34 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 22 February 2018

SPORT

FastSport DUBLINERS ABOUND IN IRISH CLUB SIDE: NINETEEN of the 31-player Ireland Club XV panel hail from Dublin clubs for their games against their Scottish counterparts on February 23 in Dubarry Park and then for a game in Netherdale in the Scottish borders on March 16.

Clontarf’s Matt D’Arcy is in for his fourth stint with the side and his clubmate Michael Noone is also included.

Division 1A league leaders Lansdowne have 4 players selected, with full-back Eamonn Mills looking to win his second club international cap, having featured last season against England Counties.

Terenure, who are currently third in Division 1A have five players included, all of whom will be looking to pull on the green club international jersey for the first time.

WALKING FOOTBALL: OVER-50S ENCOURAGED TO TRY NEW SPORTING INITIATIVE

Fingal gives new lease of life to keep sporting buzz going

 JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

A NEW FAI and Fingal County Council Initiative is seeking to encourage those over 50 to continue playing soccer, through a version of the game known as walking football.

The chilled-out alternative to regular soccer is aimed at preventing people from walking away from the game when they feel the pace is getting too much for them, but also to encourage a social aspect to the competition alongside the buzz of continuing with a slowed-down form of the game.

The contests will be informal, open to men and women, and hosted for free, with tea, coffee and biscuits supplied.

Organiser Mick Pender, who works as a Development Officer within the FAI, has praised the positive approach of the progressive local council in pushing forward such concepts.

“It’s popular in the UK,” he said of the campaign, “and Fingal County Council have always been very good about listening to and trying out

South Dublin County Council are already running walking football in Palmerstown, Clondalkin and Esker

ideas like this.

“They were immediately keen on the idea. We hope to be able to roll this out more broadly, but I’ve been in touch with people like Men’s Shed Swords to get this one underway first, as well as reaching out to local people with posters and other information. We’ll see who comes

out and go from there.

Casual “There are a lot of people who play football for as long as possible but get to the point where they feel like they have to stop, having dropped down to more casual things like five and seven-a-side,” Pender explains.

“There does come an age where a lot of people say to themselves ‘I’m finished’, and this is a way to keep people active and to build in a real social activity. It’ll be very casual.

“If people want to play, wander off for a cup of tea and then come back and play some more, that’s totally fine.”

The game itself is exactly what it sounds like: “The only new rule is that you get sent off if you run,” Pender says.

“It’ll be about staying involved, about accounting for people who might have reduced mobility and keeping them part of a game they might have played all their lives.”

Initially, the games will be very informal, but as the concept grows, Pender anticipates that their may be different agreements about rules, with both competition and casual games taking place to suit different people keen to get involved.

To start with, though, he’s simply keen to get the concept underway.

If you’d like to play walking football, the first of a series of games will take place at the Rivervalley Community Centre (Swords) indoor hall, from 1pm to 2pm on Wednesday, March 7.

They will then continue at the same time on Wednesdays from then on, with plans in place to move outdoors for fresh air once the weather improves.

Marian bounce back with pair of Super League wins MEN’S SUPER LEAGUE  sport@dublingazette.com

UCD Marian bounced back immediately from their loss to Pyrobel Killester. Picture: Martin Doherty

UCD Marian stormed back from last weekend’s loss to Pyrobel Killester in style, winning out in convincing fashion (72-46) against Dublin neighbours Éanna on T hursday evening in men’s basketball’s Super League.

They followed up with a cracking game against Tralee in a top of the table clash on Saturday evening. Huge displays on the night from Tralee’s Goran Pantovic and Trae Pem-

berton were just not enough in the face of sharp shooting from UCD’s Dan James, Barry Drumm and Conor Meany, which saw them eke out an 86-83 point win in the closing minute.

“It was a really, really difficult game,” UCD’s Ioannis Liapakis said afterwards. “Unfortunately, we didn’t have much time to prepare the team for it as we had a game Thursday but the main thing we needed to remember was what happened last year, where we were 25 points ahead and we lost the

game.

“It doesn’t matter if you play 39 minutes really well, you have to play 40 minutes really well and that’s what happened today. They played well, we played well and it was great game for everybody to watch, but in the end, I think we wanted it a little bit more.

“There is no safety net unfortunately, we lost that a few weeks ago. Now, every loss counts. We’re still really far away from winning the league so we have to go step by step.

The only thing we care about

right now is the next practice on Monday.”

Griffith College Swords Thunder, meanwhile, maintained their second place spot on the table with a 20-point victory over Moycullen at the ALSAA on Saturday evening.

Sheer grit won out for Black Amber Templeogue to see them win out 74-70 against Belfast Star.

They are now in fifth place on points difference with Pyrobel Killester just above them in fourth after winning out 79-72 over Maree in Galway.

22 February 2018 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 35

GAZETTE

FASTSport

Shamrock divers plunge to win string of silverware SHAMROCK Diving Club picked up a wealth of medals in recent weeks with success at the British National Championships in Plymouth before also succeeding at the Senet Cup in Eindhoven.

For the former competition, the Abbotstown-based club sent three divers to the competition which has Britain’s best competing for the top places and trying to achieve standard scores to qualify for this season’s major events like the Commonwealth Games, World Cup and Senior European Championships.

Shamrock’s Oliver Dingley was crowned champion in the men’s 3m, scoring 447.10 – a personal best and a new Irish record – qualifying himself for the Word Cup in China in June.

He also competed on the 1m board, scoring 390.60, securing silver and only missing gold by 1.80 points.

Jack Ffrench placed 10th and scored 319.15 in men’s 3m, just 10 points off his European Championship standard score. On the 1m board, Ffrench scored 299.35, placing ninth and, again, just missing out on the final. Clare Cryan took women’s 1m bronze, scoring 250.05.

Soon after, Shamrock had four seniors and three juniors in Eindhoven to compete in Europe’s biggest club event. Dingley (pictured), who was eighth at the 2016 Olympics, once again was in superb form, winning both the 1m and 3m competitions while also getting gold in the 3m synchro with Ffrench, also taking first place.

Ffrench, 21, finished in ninth place in the 1m and a personal best in the 3m with a fifth position.

Cryan backed up her Plymouth performances with fourth place at both heights while Francesca Doran’s best performance came on the platform, the 18-year-old ending eight overall.

In the 14/15 age group, Anna Power is hoping to make the junior European team this year and backed up those claims with bronze in two of her events.

Ciara McGing also won a bronze with an Irish record in platform competition for girls aged 16 and over.

Teenage sensation Sarah in record-breaking form Blackrock AC’s 17-year-old distance runner smashes both the Irish Youth and Under-20 national records to beat Olympian Kerry O’Flaherty to win senior Irish 3,000m  sport@dublingazette.com

BL AC K R O C K AC ’ S Sarah Healy provided the performance of the Irish Life Health National Indoor Championships when she smashed both the Irish Under-20 and Youth 3,000m records.

It was the teenager – who has just turned 17 – win her her first national senior title in 9.10.43 at the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena in Abbotstown last Satuday.

Healy was simply outstanding as she left Rio 2016 Olympian Kerry O’Flaherty (Newcastle) firmly in her wake. A rare talent was on display and the Blackrock teenager surpassed the Under-20 record of 9.28.67, previously held by Rose Anne Galligan, and the Youth record of 9.35.1 of Amy Rose Farrell.

Reacting to the news,

Healy said she “was really surprised” before adding that she “didn’t think it was that fast”.

O’Flaherty led the first kilometre in roughly 3.10 and then Healy took over, winding it up sublimely to 3.05 and finishing off with a swift 2.55 final kilometre for a comprehensive victory.

“I wasn’t thinking about records and I didn’t really know what was going to happen so it was just about running fast. I felt good following Kerry at the start and thought I could give it a go. Hopefully, I have plenty more senior championships ahead of me!”

Meghan Ryan (DSD) got up for bronze in 9.43.35. She has been one of the most consistent team performers for DSD over the past ten years, on track and cross-country, winning many team med-

als at national level.

The smile on her face as she sprinted to a bronze individual medal showed how much it meant to her to be on the medal podium. She is now focused on the outdoor season with renewed vigour, as she seeks that elusive gold but will have her hands full with rising star Healy.

Elsewhere, on the first day of action, MidSutton’s Sarah McCarthy bagged the women’s national long jump title with a leap of 5.90m.

On day two, it was a bittersweet day for Crusaders Adam McMullen who was supreme in the men’s long jump winning with a monster jump of 7.99m, It was a mere centimetre off the magical 8m mark and the national indoor record of Ciaran McDonagh.

Phil Healy took a com-

Sarah Healy crosses the line to smash two national records in one . Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

manding victory in the women’s 400m in 53.10 which was another world indoor standard with Catherine McManus (Dublin City Harriers) running another personal best in second in 53.81.

DSD’s Sinead Denny took third in 54.31.

Andrew Mellon, another Crusaders AC man, impressed in the men’s 400m to win in 47.32.

His club mate Matthew Behan also caused a stir in the men’s 60m hurdles to win his first national senior title in a big personal best of 7.84 seconds ahead of the fancied Ben Reynolds (North Down AC) in second in 7.88.

Shane Aston (Trim AC) took third in 8.33.

Donore Harriers’ John Travers has been building on his tactical acumen and he won the 3,000m in 8.25.21 from defending champion Eoin Everard (Kilkenny City Harriers) in 8.25.74.

He sat in third at the 200m bell and sprinted past his rivals with 150m to go for a hard-fought victory A great walking performance at 5,000m by DSD’s Jerome Caprice saw him pick up bronze, in a time of 20.39.24. He will represent Mauritius in the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

Long jump champ Adam McMullen. Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

GAZETTE

36 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 22 February 2018

SPORT

FASTSport

SOCCER: RANGERS IN GREAT SHAPE FOR PROMOTION FROM SENIOR 1A

Boden breakfast club in aid of senior hurlers BALLYBODEN St Enda’s senior hurlers are hosting a buffet breakfast morning on Saturday, February 24 from 8.30am to 12.30pm in the clubhouse at Pairc ui Murchu.

Visitors will get the chance to meet and chat with the club’s senior hurlers while enjoying a full Irish breakfast - or other options!

All funds will go toward the senior hurling training fund. Entry to the event are €10 for adults, €5 for children and a family of four is €20.

Boden’s senior hurlers begin their AHL Division One campaign on Sunday morning when they travel to Marino to take on St Vincent’s at 10.15am.

Sars minors fight back for Bray victory LUCAN Sarsfields’ minor hurlers opened their league campaign against Bray Emmets on Sunday morning in AGP3 with a 2-12 to 1-12 win.

The first half was quite even with never more than a point between the teams.

At the break, the sides were level on 0-7 each.

Bray got control of the game at the start of

the second half scoring an unanswered 1-2 but also had four wides as underfoot conditions continued to deteriorate.

Entering the final quarter, Bray had stretched their lead to 1-12 to 0-9. Two points by Mark Lavin either side of a Cillian Hogan goal brought Lucan back into contention. Ciaran Keane converted the levelling score before cutting a side-line in to Ben Mullins who flicked to the net for the final decisive score.

Newtown Rangers’ LSL Sunday Senior 1A side

Dano delight for Newtown LSL SUNDAY SENIOR 1A Newtown Rangers St John Bosco  DAVE DONNELLY

4 1

sport@dublingazette.com

NEW TOWN Rangers remain on course for promotion from LSL Sunday Senior 1A following a 4-1 win over St John Bosco at Farrell Park on Sunday morning.

The Tallaght side sit just one point behind Edenderry Town with a game in hand at the midway point in the season.

Former Athlone Town striker Daniel P urdy scored twice, and exShelbourne attacker Lee Murtagh once, after former Celtic trainee Dar-

ragh Satelle had opened the scoring early on.

The Drimnagh side did manage to pull a goal back from the penalty spot early in the second half, however the result was rarely in doubt as Newtown dominated the game.

In wet and windy conditions on the Kiltipper Road, Newtown took an early lead through former Irish underage star Satelle as he ghosted into the 18-yard box and finished in the bottom corner.

Purdy wasn’t long in adding his name to the scoresheet, having earlier had a goal ruled out, scoring direct from a free

kick to double the advantage midway through the opening period.

Murtagh added his name to the scoresheet shortly before half time, breaking through and scoring at the second attempt after seeing his first effort saved.

St John Bosco pulled a goal back from the spot through Craig Fitzgerald shortly after the break but never looked like forcing their way back in.

It was left to Purdy to wrap up the three points ten minutes from time, the one-time Shamrock Rovers man latching onto a through-ball and burying his shot in the corner.

“The elements weren’t great on Sunday with the pitch digging up, the wind, and that’s when the little bit of class comes in,” Newtown manager Glenn Madden told the Dublin Gazette.

“The likes of Dano [Purdy] give us that. It does help a lot.”

Having missed out narrowly on promotion last year, Madden made a few key signings he thinks will help get his team over the line this year and, possibly, take home the title.

“If I’m honest, we should have gotten promotion last year. We’ve added the likes of Dano, ex-League of Ireland, but

one of the main factors is Alan Curry who we signed off Sacred Heart.

“I played with Alan at Bluebell – top player, top lad. A few people question his discipline but for us he’s been nearly player of the match every game.

He really makes us tick.

“He sits in the middle and lets the likes of Darren O’Grady and Dano play. He does all the dirty work and he’s been really impressive.”

Newtown meet fellow promotion-chasers Inchicore Athletic on the Pearse Park Astro on Friday night, a game Madden says “will let us know where we are at the halfway stage.”

22 February 2018 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 37

GAZETTE

SOCCER: DALYMOUNT ROCKS FOR LEAGUE OPENER

FASTSoccer

Shamrock Rovers’ Graham Burke gets away from Dan Casey. Picture: Deryck Vincent

Four-star Crumlin ease through

LOI PREMIER DIVISION

HOLDERS Crumlin United eased into the semi finals of the Charlie Cahill Cup after an excellent team performance against a gritty Swords Celtic in Pearse Park last weekend ended in a 4-0 victory.

The first half was a tight affair. Crumlin kept probing away and eventually got their reward when the excellent Conor Murphy popped up to head home from close range to give the home side a 1-0 lead at the break.

Crumlin stepped up a gear in the second half and started to play some excellent football and the second goal was worth the wait. Murphy took the ball on from wide on the left in his own half and launched a superb pass through the heart of the Swords defence with Craig Walsh taking it down.

With his second touch, he lobbed the advancing Swords keeper to give Crumlin a 2-0 lead.

It was all Crumlin after that and shortly after they went 3-0 ahead when Jake Donnelly got on the end of a super cross-field ball from Walsh to clinically slot the ball wide of the Swords keeper.

A few minutes later, Murphy raced through the defence and poked home his second and Crumlin’s fourth to put the game beyond Swords.

Donnelly almost made it five with a cracker from 30 yards out but the Swords keeper made a wonderful acrobatic save to deny him.

Case-closed as Bohs light up Dublin derby Bohemians Shamrock Rovers  DAVE DONNELLY

3 1

sport@dublingazette.com

SHAMROCK Rovers conceded three goals in 11 second-half minutes as they crashed to a disastrous 3-1 defeat in the Dublin Derby against Bohemians at Dalymount Park on Friday night.

The Hoops spent much of the game in cruise mode following Ronan Finn’s first-half opener, but goals from Paddy Kavanagh and a Dan Casey brace saw Stephen Bradley’s side fall to pieces late on.

It was a near-carbon copy of a league meeting between the sides three seasons ago, when Rovers led at the break only for three quick goals to swing the result in the Gypsies’ favour at Dalymount.

Bradley had predicted to the Dublin Gazette in the run-up that it wasn’t going to be “pretty to look at,” and he was proven very much correct in a game that failed to sparkle for 70 minutes.

An early lunge from Rovers’ Greg Bolger, for which he was fortunate not to receive a card, set the tempo for a scrappy game where caution won out on both sides.

It was the Hoops who took the lead at the midway point in the first half, and it was a rare moment of magic that proved the different in a game lacking inspiration.

Graham Burke’s audacious overhead kick, after Gary Shaw had easily beaten Casey in the air, deserved a goal of its own, but with Shane Supple beaten the post came to Bohs’ rescue.

It was to prove a shortlived relief, however. With Supple out of position, the captain Finn showed composure to bury the rebound on the half-volley into an empty net.

That’s more or less how it remained for the next 50 minutes, with half-chances for Keith Ward and Dinny Corcoran shortly after the break the closest Bohs could manage to an equaliser.

Until, that is, the home side won a corner on the

right and Casey rise high above Lee Grace to plant a beautifully-executed header in off the post to level the tie.

The Hoops roared back, with Dave McAllister replacing the injured Finn, but their bark was worse than their bite and Bohs took the lead for the first time with nine minutes remaining.

Goalkeeper Kevin Horgan, who was surprisingly chosen ahead of the experienced Canadian international Tomer Chencin-

ski, was at fault as he was beaten at his near post.

A long punt forward from Supple was flicked on by Oscar Brennan, and former Rovers man Paddy Kavanagh – who won two league titles with the Hoops in 2010 and 2011 – raced through.

The wide-man kept his cool to smash the ball high past the flailing Horgan, and three minutes later it was Casey who settled the tie, exploiting Horgan’s woeful positioning to head into an empty net.

Rovers Joel Coustrain in the wars. Picture: Martin Doherty

Bissett back at the Orchard to take on ambitious girls plans CHERRY Orchard have appointed Dave Bissett as their new Director of Girls football.

The 31-year-old former Cherry Orchard schoolboy player will oversee the two current girls teams at Under-11 and 12 level in the MGL, reporting into Karl Keogh.

Bissett’s long-term plan is to have a girls team in the DDSL and to develop an academy for girls football.

He played his Schoolboy football with Cherry Orchard for two seasons with former players Stephen Quinn, Gary Dicker and Shane McFall, managed by Paul Somers.

He also played in the Kennedy Cup with the DDSL and the Milk Cup for the Orchard, finishing fourth.

His most recent honour was captaining the Republic of Ireland street leagues International team in Oslo Norway last September with the Irish team finishing in eighth place in the competition.

GAZETTE

38 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 22 February 2018

SPORT

FOOTBALL: STAR-STUDDED MUN UNDONE BY ANTHONY RAINBOW’S NEW

FASTGAA

Brilliant Boden upset the AFL DIVISION ONE Ballyboden St Enda’s Ballymun Kickhams  sport@dublingazette.com

Templeogue and Mary’s off to flying AFL2 start TEMPLEOGUE Synge Street made a winning start to their AFL Division 2 campaign as they won a westside story 3-12 to 0-7, starting off their campaign with the second biggest win from Sunday morning.

The largest scoreline went in favour of St Mary’s who had a full 16 points in the difference when they won their derby date with St Anne’s 2-17 to 0-7 with former Dublin senior player Blaine Kelly recording 1-7.

In the top tier, Lucan Sarsfields also got off to a winning start with a hard fought 0-11 to 0-6 away win over Cuala in Dalkey while Thomas Davis drew 0-14 to 2-8 with Ballinteer St John’s.

3-12 0-9

ON THE face of it, Sunday morning’s AFL1 league opener looked heavily weighted in Ballymun Kickhams’ favour prior to throw-in against Anthony Rainbow’s new Ballyboden St Enda’s charges.

The Dublin county players were made available by Jim Gavin with the Mun able to field six of their stars. For Boden, Collie Basquel was out injured and Michael Darragh Macauley could only half an hour and their dual players were also out, making the odds against a home win would probably be high.

The side that did line out, however, made light

of such a preordained script and produced some lovely attacking football at Pairc ui Murchu and ran out an unlikely – but fully merited – 12 point victors.

In the first minute, Ross McGarry showed why he was an All-Star minor last year by firing over an early point. Ryan Basquel followed with two similar scores, one free.

Darren O’Reilly, operating from the half back line, brought the score to four points to nil in the seventh minute. The backs were giving no room to the Ballymun forwards and it took 10 minutes before they got their first score, a pointed free by Dean Rock.

Ryan Basquel popped over a free before James Madden, making his senior league debut, fired to the back of the net after 14

minutes.

Stephen O’Connor continued to attack up along the left wing and, after one such long run, he expertly found Ryan Basquel heading towards goal and he made no mis-

take in scoring the second goal.

This seemed to waken Ballymun from their slumbers and they scored the next four points, three frees by Rock and a point from play by fellow Dub-

lin man Paddy Small.

With two minutes to go to half time, Declan O’Mahony stopped the rot by hitting a point to leave the half time score 2-7 to 0-5 in favour of the home team.

Ballyboden St Enda’s ahead of last Sunday’s AFL Division One league tie

CLUB NOTICEBOARD BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S

WELL done to the senior ladies who beat Mullahoran LGFA 9-9 to 5-3 in the final of the Paidí Ó Sé tournament in Dingle.

Congratulations to our senior footballers on their win over Ballymun Kickams with a scoreline of 3-12 to 0-9 Congrats to the minor A team who started their campaign today with a win in Cloghran Have you got your ticket yet for the Big Breakfast? Ballyboden’s senior hurlers are meeting and greeting over breakfast in the club next Saturday, February 24.

Make sure you pop along.

Get those thinking caps on and gather your team for the Feile boys dundraising quiz this Thursday night in the club.

Our Boden Sessions continue.

Come down to the club next Monday, February 26 for music, song, dance and comedy!

GARDA/ WESTMANSTOWN

MIXED fortunes for our adult men’s teams last weekend in the opening league fixtures with the inters losing to St Pat’s in Donabate and the juniors having an excellent win away to Ranelagh

Gaels in Bushy Park.

Next fixtures have both squads at home on Sunday, March 4 when the inters play Ballymun Kickhams and the juniors meet Round Towers.

Training continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm in Westmanstown. The minors Have their first league fixture of the season when they host St Pauls at Westmanstown next Sunday, February 25 at 11am.

The ladies are holding a fundraising quiz in Westmanstown this Friday, February 23; table of four €40. All welcome.

The U-16s and U-14s had challenge games against Lucan Sarsfields and Scoil Ui Chonail as they prepare for the opening league ties next weekend.

Both teams are at home against Man O War with the U-14s starting at 1pm and the U-16s at 4.30pm. Best of luck to Zeta with the Dublin U-14s and Heather with the Dublin senior squad in upcoming fixtures.

U-16 boys had good win in their second league game away at Naomh Mearnog, 3-10 to 2-10; U-13s narrowly lost their grading match away to St Maurs.

Both U-12 teams had grading matches away with the As beating Fingal Ravens and the Bs losing out to Fingallians.

Easter not too far away and we are having our usual very popular Easter Camp from Tuesday, April 3 to Friday, April 6 at a cost of €50 per child payable on the day. To book, go to https:// www.surveymonkey.com/r/ WMTGaelsEaster2018.

Davy Cryan continues his great performance on Operation Transformation and don’t forget you can Walk For Davy every Monday night at Westmanstown at 7pm.

All team mentors and managers are reminded that all requests for training and playing slots must be done through pitch coordinator Alan Egan; no exceptions.

LUCAN SARSFIELDS MEMBERSHIP is now due for 2018, deadline for the interest free six-month instalment has been extended so to avail complete online ASAP as all players need to be registered by February 28 and the six-month option will close thereafter.

Well done to all involved in the adult football section with all four teams picking up away wins in the season opening games, over 80 adult footballers played so great stuff and we had a few extra left over in Division 10.

Fine wins as well for our U-14A

and U-16B teams vs Ballyboden.

Our three U-12 teams also had a clean sweep of victories over BSJ. Minor A hurlers had a hard fought three-point win vs Bray Emmets, our second minor team lost but maintaining the team is the challenge for them.

Hard luck also to our senior camogie who lost to the renowned Oulart the Ballagh in the Leinster league.

Leopardstown Leaps - A Supreme Day of Supreme Racing: The Lucan Sarsfields annual race day in conjunction with Leopardstown is fast approaching; we are delighted to offer a super afternoon of Supreme National Hunt Racing with the best seats in the house, a four course meal with wine in the 1888 suite, a professional tipster, a Prosecco reception in the club, a return bus, and a chance to meet and greet some of our Dublin Stars both past and present.

All proceeds go towards club development; to book your place today, contact Joe on 086 815 4635, Jim on 086 238 7585, Ronan on 087 699 8572.

Good Friday - Annual Maintenance Day: We are looking for people to give a hand for an hour or two on Good Friday particularly those who have relevant skills – electricians, carpenters, painters et ala; those

like myself who aren’t as skilled can always assisted as well with a general clean up.

The club is a big place and can always do with a bit of extra TLC. With the bar open, there could be free pints.

Golf Society: The golfing season starts in a few weeks, on Saturday, April 21. The society’s AGM for 2018 is Monday, March 12 at 9pm in the clubhouse. All golfers welcome to attend. Captain for 2018 is Seamus Fagan.

If you would like to play in any of the outings or know someone would then contact Seamus at 086 8168984. New members are always very welcome.

The club bar is looking for volunteers to assist with the rota, it might be good for students looking to gain experience, or maybe to meet more members, full training provided. Anyone interested can leave details behind the bar.

Club shop is scheduled to open Thursdays from 7.30-8.30pm and Saturdays 10.30am to 1pm.

25 Card Drive continues every Friday at 9pm. Caters for all levels, beginners welcome.

The ‘Cúpla Focal’ club is on Mondays from 7.30pm to 9pm.

Bingo is on Wednesdays at 8.30pm Lucan District Credit Union Academy is on Saturdays, 9.30am

for girls and 10am for boys (5+) Last week there was no winner of the €19,400 lotto where the numbers were 6, 7, 14 and 21. This week’s €19,800 lotto draw will be managed by Mary Flannery and is sponsored by Newcastle Golf Centre. Tickets can be purchased online, at the club, in Carey’s Newsagents, in Vesey Arms or Kenny’s Bar. Healthy Clubs Cookery session: On Friday last, 48 U-10 and U-11 boys and girls took part in one of two hands-on cookery sessions. Assigned to “stations” in groups of two to four, they were responsible for weighing, measuring and mixing their recipes, getting them into the oven and cleaning their workspace before moving onto the next recipe.

The completed products were proudly taken home (or in some cases eaten before they left the building!).

Well done to all who took part – hopefully they will practise the recipes using the recipe cards they were given on the day!

The construction work has now commenced on the new access road, the entrance to the club is now up what was the Goodwins entrance.

So please approach with caution.

Turn after the garage but

22 February 2018 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 39

GAZETTE

CHARGES

HONOURS EVEN

odds The second half started with Macauley taking over from Declan O’Mahony in midfield but play continued as the first half ended with the home team again in control.

Ryan Basquel hit two points, one free, before a great move ended with Simon Lambert finishing to the net after 10 minutes.

Rock scored two points, one free, before Cathal Flaherty, operating from full back, got up to score a point.

Rock, again from a free, cancelled this out. The Ballyboden management emptied the bench but it did not weaken the team as they continued to dominate with Ryan Basquel and Barra McGarr y pointing frees and Ballymun getting one back, their third from play in the whole match.

Next on the Boden agenda is a southside derby against Kilmacud Crokes

Towers stung by late equaliser ROUND Tower’s senior footballers got a point on the board on open-

ing day of the AFL Division 2 campaign with a 0-8 each draw with Na Fianna on Mobhi Road last Sunday.

It might have been even better for the Clondalkin club when Cathal Carty edged them in front in the 59th minute, finding the smallest of spaces to clear the bar.

But Na Fianna had the final say to draw the teams level, also surviving a penalty with a double save There was little to differentiate between the sides throughout and the momentum swung either way. Towers felt they had the upper hand midway through the second half when they edged three points clear, 0-7 to 0-4.

Jason Joyce’s pair of points and an effort from Thomas Galvin had seen them develop a 0-3 to 0-2 half-time lead into a very strong position with seven minutes to go but Na Fianna pegged them back each time. Towers next play Ballyboughal on Sunday, March 4.

Ballymun Kickhams’ James McCarthy takes on Darren O’Reilly. Picture: Cliona Mellett

CLUB NOTICEBOARD before the old club entrance then left into the carparks.

We expect this access route to remain in place for up to six weeks but that timeframe could possibly last longer. Obviously, we have no control of this so thanking everyone for their patience. A mention to opposition teams might be no harm!

ROUND TOWER, CLONDALKIN

OUR senior footballers drew their opening league fixture away to Na Fianna, our junior A team defeated Ballymun Kickhams and our AFL11 team were winners over Shankill.

The inaugural Eugene Garrigan Memorial Tournament will be played this coming Thursday, February 22, with a Round Tower football selection playing the Irish Prison Service at Monastery Road at 8pm.

It will be followed by a benefit night in the club in aid of the Irish Hospice Foundation, with live music from Billy Sullivan.

Round Tower lotto (February 12): Jackpot:

€2,100. Numbers drawn: 8, 16, 19, 30 bonus ball 5. No overall winner and no bonus ball winner. Three €100 winners: Antoniette Roche, Charlie McGroarty, Bernadine Lynham. Thanks to all who participated.

Bingo every Tuesday night in the club. First call at 8.30pm, with the jackpot being €1,000 for a full house if checked within 55 numbers.

Otherwise €20 for full house.

All-in €2 to buy in. Game usually €90 to €150.

Round Tower Golf Society outings for 2018 are now listed on our website. New members welcome for the year ahead.

ST MARK’S

WELL done to all our teams who competed the weekend, keep the good work up.

The ladies minor footballers are recruiting players – new and past players all welcome, training Monday nights from 7-8pm. Anyone interested can contact Pauline Russell on 087 4127889.

The 2018 St Mark’s boys U-10s are currently seeking new players for both Gaelic

football and hurling for the upcoming season.

Boys must be born after January 1 2008.

If interested and for further details, please call or text Ashley Pitts at 085 1599219.

All juvenile section training has returned to date, contact the relevant mentors for info.

The adult section has returned to training, Tuesday and Thursdays.

Music every Saturday in the club. Live sport every weekend. Bar opening hours 8pm all week, 5pm on Friday, 2pm on Saturday and 12.30pm on Sunday.

Set dancing classes are on Mondays at 8pm. Bingo on Thursday night starts at 8.45pm, open to everyone.

Slimming World every Tuesday at 5pm and 7pm and Wednesday morning at 9am in the main lounge.

Please continue to support the club lotto.

Tickets €2 each or three for €5, jackpot €5,300 – not won.

Numbers drawn were 4, 6,19 and 28; €50 winners - 1.

Bernadette Hamell c/o Bingo 2. O’Reilly Kids c/o Ollie Prior 3. Lilly Connelly c/o Bingo

4. Pat McGril +4 5. Matthew Munds c/o Bingo 6. Amy McAllister.

ST MARY’S

ADULT league results from the weekend: seniors had a convincing win over St Anne’s in Saggart while the juniors lost to St Margaret’s by a point.

The minors start their league next weekend, playing Ballymun Kickhams on Sunday at 11am in Ballymun.

Membership for 2018 is now due. Rates are adult player: €130, third level student player/nonplaying/associate €70, juvenile €50, senior citizen €20, family membership €175. Membership can be paid on-line or by clicking on the Blue “Shop Now” button on the Facebook Page or contact Siobhan Moran in the clubhouse every Monday evening from 7-8pm.

Monthly Whist takes place on Thursday in the club lounge from 8.30pm. New players always welcome.

We would like to thank Insomnia Saggart for their recent sponsorship of the

club and a new set of jerseys for our U-12 girls team Lotto numbers drawn this week were 10, 11, 18 and 25. There was no winner so next week’s jackpot remains capped at €8,000 with a €2,100 roll-over.

There were three Match 3 winners of €35 each: the Kenny family, Coolmine, Charlotte Byrne, Broadfield and John Mahon, Rathlawns.

Next week’s Match 3 will be worth €100 win/share.

You can now follow the LocalLotto link on our Facebook page and website to play Lotto online.

ST PAT’S PALMERSTOWN

WE HAD had a great turn out for our juvenile presentation on Sunday afternoon. Sam Maguire was there. Thanks also to Denis Bastick, five times All-Ireland winner, for coming along to help with the presentations. Well done to all our players who received their medals.

Special thanks to Moriarty’s SuperValu for the goodie bags and to Rebecca and her dancers at Kinesis.

It was a busy weekend on

the playing front with nearly all our teams back in action.

Well done to our junior footballers and several juvenile teams who had solid wins over strong opposition.

Well done also to our senior camogie ladies.

Hard luck to our senior footballers who went down to Templeogue Synge Street in their first league outing.

Membership for 2018 must be renewed by the end of February. The easiest way is to pay on-line at https:// www.stpatricksgaa.ie/ online-memberships A registration night will also be held on Thursday, February 22 from 6.30- 7.30pm in the clubhouse. Thank you to those who have already renewed their membership.

The Peil Og programme for girls aged 8-13 years continues in the Kings Hospital on Monday evenings at 6.30pm. All welcome.

The last week of Operation Transformation, in partnership with Waterstown Warriors and sponsored by SuperValu Palmerstown, continues in Glenaulin Park on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7pm.

Our junior academy train on Monday nights from 6-7pm in the Pobalscoil Sports Hall. Training on Saturday is from 10-11am on the all-weather pitch at the clubhouse. Contact James on 087 6821582 or Denise on 086 1591268.

Our U-7s girls and boys teams train on Monday evenings from 6-7pm in the Ballyfermot Sports Hall (behind the St Patrick’s GAA clubhouse). New members always welcome. Contact Denise on 086 1591268 (girls) or David on 087 7422646 (boys).

Our lotto numbers this week were 6, 15, 18 and 26.

There was no winner. There were four Match 3 winners – Darren Kennedy, Karl Walsh, Tom Somers and one other.

The jackpot next week will be €8,400 with the draw taking place on Sunday night in the Palmerstown House at 10pm.

Tickets are available from SuperValu, Palmerstown House, Manor Hair Studios, Mullingar House, and Chapelizod Post Office.

Many thanks to all our ticket sellers and everyone for supporting this important fundraiser.

GAZETTESPORT

ALL OF YOUR WEST DUBLIN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 34-39

FEBRUARY 22-28, 2018

BODEN BRILLIANCE: Fancied Mun side, packed with county talent, knocked back on opening day P38-39

HEALY GOING THE DISTANCE: Southside teenager smashes series of 3,000m records P35

Representatives of each of the clubs who will contest the SSE League of Ireland First Division in 2018. Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Ryan’s higher learning Clondalkin-based teacher feels UCD’s club ethos gives them unique place in the League of Ireland structure, offering alternate pro route

 DAVE DONNELLY

sport@dublingazette.com

ST KEVIN’S Community College teacher Ian Ryan believes UCD’s focus on education gives them an edge in developing players for life on and off the field.

Winger Simon Power became the fourth player to leave UCD for a professional contract in the UK in the space of 18 months when he signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Norwich City in January.

Striker Ryan Swan earned a move to Exeter City last February following his Europa League heroics, while another to feature in those games, Dylan Watts, joined Leicester City.

And goalkeeper Tom Murphy earned a move to Everton after starring for the club’s under-17 side and has gone on to represent his country at the same level.

And Ryan feels the club’s ethos, which encourages players to pursue education off the field while realising their full potential on it, will continue to reap benefits in the future.

“Obviously I’d be a bit biased but, for me, it’s the best place for a young player to play,” the former centre-half told the Dublin Gazette.

“They come in and they get their education.

The lads on the scholarships are extremely well looked-after, from an education point of view, facilities, strength and conditioning – it’s all available.”

The 30-year-old is a teacher in Clondalkin, so he has personal experience of the importance education can play in the life of any aspiring footballer.

“I’m a teacher myself, so it bodes well that I’m coaching in UCD because I value the education point of it.

“Kids, even if they don’t go across to England, if they get a first-team contract they mightn’t even work or get a part-time job.

“It’d be something that I’d be passionate about, for people to go to college and get an education.

“You get your degree then, and if you want your crack at full-time football with that and you have your degree to fall back on and you could go into a job that will last you a lifetime.”

Ryan has taken over the assistant manager’s duties from Evan McMillan, who has stepped down due to work commitments after three years working under Collie O’Neill.

Ryan, who finished his playing career with the club in 2015, was previously manager of the club’s Under-19s and guided them to a national title in 2016.

The Dubliner guided Leinster to the Under18s schoolboy interprovincial title in DCU in November, but was itching to get back into coaching at League of Ireland level.

“I missed it last year. I wasn’t with anyone last year and I missed being involved with football. It’s all I know really so it’s great to be back and, even better, with a first team.”