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WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE SDCC AREA, WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED  JANUARY 11-17, 2018

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P20 ‘LACK OF RESOURCES’ PROMPTS TALLAGHT TEEN TO DROP OUT

Teaching standard ‘forced girl to leave school’

 MARK O’BRIEN A TALLAGHT teenager says that she was forced to leave school because a lack of teaching resources was affecting the standard of education she was receiving.

Chloe O’Faolain (16) – a contestant in Top Model Ireland – left in November this year because there would often be days when there were no teachers available to take up to six of her nine classes.

Chloe’s mother, Sinead, told Dublin Gazette: “It was making her miserable forcing her to go to that school and she was coming home from school every day in tears and I couldn’t do it to her any more. It just wasn’t right.”

See Full Story on Page 8

2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 11 January 2018

HOUSING CRISIS | WESTERN WEBSITE ALSO APPLICABLE TO DUBLIN

A Mayo-led initiative could help house Dubs  MARK O’BRIEN MORE than 400 vacant properties that could potentially be brought back into active stock to help alleviate the housing crisis have been identified across Dublin.

The properties have been identified by members of the public and logged onto the website www. vacanthomes.ie.

T he website (right) was launched in October and is an initiative of Mayo County Council with the aim of possibly bringing some of the properties back into stock to help alleviate the current housing crisis.

Mayo County Council’s director of services, Tom Gilligan, told Dublin Gazette: “We’ve been delighted with the responses we’ve got back from the public in Dublin

and nationwide.

“We’d have around 15,000 people that have contacted us. In the country overall, we’d have about 1,600 properties logged on vacanthomes.ie, and in Dublin – you take the four Dublin authorities – we’d have about 440 properties.”

The website allows members of the public to upload pictures of vacant properties in their area and provide details of where the properties are and how long they have been vacant for.

The details are logged anonymously, and the details are not displayed on the website, protecting the privacy of people who log the details and the people who own the properties.

“Once the properties are identified through the crowd-sourcing mechanism in relation to the logging on the website, we then pro-

vide that information to the local authority,” said Tom. “We’ve got very good feedback up to now from the authorities that they’re looking at the properties and obviously trying to get as many of them as possible back into stock.”

The last Census showed that there are 183,212 vacant homes across the country.

“That figure from Census 2016 represents 9.15% of the overall national housing stock,” said Tom. While it will not be possible to bring all of the identified properties back into stock, he said that it will be quicker to bring the ones that can be made available into stock rather than wait for brandnew houses to be built.

He said: “In relation to vacant properties and existing properties, the reality is an awful lot of the key

infrastructure is already in place.

“For example, you have the roads, facilities such as electricity and telephone, a lot of that work is already done, so to bring those properties back in to use, there would be less work involved.”

He added that were other benefits to local areas in making these homes habitable once again.

“There’s also a benefit to the local economy because a lot of these properties, they’re going to use local builders or tradesmen to bring them back them into use, and also it helps to create stable communities. For properties adjacent to a vacant property, obviously it does have an economic and a visual impact.”

Tom said that he hopes that the initiative will go some way to helping to ease the homelessness crisis in the country.

TV3 set for rebranding TELLY watchers across the capital have a ‘new’ name to look out for later this year – Virgin Media Television.

The new name is part of the rebranding of an old favourite, with TV3 changing its name as the station looks to shake up its offerings.

TV3 was bought by Virgin Media in 2015 for €80m.

Hundreds of projects at RDS AN OVERSEAS trip to a remote corner of sub-Saharan Africa is the thrilling prize that awaits the lucky winner of one of the top prizes at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition in Dublin.

More than 2,000 student projects were submitted to this year’s exhibition which runs until Saturday, January 13.

FASTNews

IT Tallaght creche reopens

Claire Kiernan, Creche Manager, Oakview Tallaght; Dr Ken Carroll, Registrar, Institute of Technolology; Teresa Ward, Manager of Academic Administration and Student Affairs, Institute of Technology and Clodagh Moynihan, manager, Orchard House Ltd.

IT Tallaght opened their on-campus creche this week under the new management of Orchard House Ltd. Orchard House Ltd will operate as Oakview Tallaght (a trading name for Orchard House Ltd in Dublin) to manage the onsite Early Years facility from January 2018 for the next three years.

Teresa Ward, manager of academic administration and student affairs at the Institute said: “This morning is the result of an exhaustive process to appoint a childcare provider and ensure the on-campus facility continues to operate in accordance with national childcare requirements.”

Enquiries and registration requests for childcare can be directed to tallaght@oakviewhouse.ie.

11 January 2018 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 3

CHALLENGE | STEPHEN HOPES TO JOIN ELITE CLUB WHO SUCCESSFULLY SWAM THE CHANNEL

Tallaght man bids to conquer the North Channel for charity  MARK O’BRIEN

A TALLAGHT man is hoping to raise money for charity by becoming one of only a handful of people to successfully swim the North Channel, between Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Stephen Martin founded Marathon Man To Ironman three years ago and has raised money for charity by running marathons and ironman challenges since then.

Stephen initially took on the first challenge himself but others soon joined him to help raise money for Make A Wish.

He told Dublin Gazette: “I just fancied taking on an Iron Man there a few years ago but I was told go get a marathon in my legs as well.

“My wife suggested that I do it for charity just to give me the extra push to do it. The first time I did it, I was on my own.

“Last year I just chanced my arm to see would anybody fancy joining up with the challenge so I set up a Facebook page and all that and luckily I think we got about 12 last year.

“Over the last two years we raised nearly €8,000 for Make A Wish.

“This year I think we’ve about six or seven signed up and it’s only the first week of January so the ball’s rolling already.”

As well as an Ironman challenge in Majorca later this year, Stephen is hoping to swim the Irish Channel next year.

Just 57 people have suc-

cessfully completed the swim since 1947 and there is gruelling training involved before Stephen can attempt the swim.

“You have to prove to the Irish Long Distance Swimming Association that you can swim in water for eight hours below 15 degrees,” he said.

“They have a race on this summer, I’m going to swim that, it’s 25km. I’m hoping to get there. It’s just over eight hours so I’ll be good to go.”

The group have also decided to change charities this year and have partnered with Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland (SBHI) for the next two years.

“We were with Make A Wish for the first two years but this year now, a friend of mine,

his daughter was born with Spina Bifida so we decided to change charities this year for the next two years and team up with Spina Bifida Ireland and try and raise as much funds for them as we can,” said Stephen.

The next fundraising event in aid of SBHI will be a 5km race in Corkagh Park on June 30. The event is intended as a family fun day with people of all levels of ability encouraged to run or walk the race in aid of the charity.

“There’s no pressure on you to finish in a certain time,” said Stephen.

“It’s just a day out and hopefully we’ll raise a few bob.”

To get involved please visit the Marathon Man To Iron- Stephen has raised money for charity by running marathons and man Facebook page. ironman challenges

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 11 January 2018

COUNCIL | ISSUES WITH QUAD BIKES AND SCRAMBLERS REMAIN ONGOING

New task force to tackle scrambler bike problem now a real consideration  MARK O’BRIEN

SOUTH Dublin County Council (SDCC) have confirmed that they are seriously considering setting up a task force to tackle issues with scramblers and quad bikes across the county.

Last week, Dublin Gazette reported that Kingswood Castle FC had become the latest sports club to have their pitch destroyed by the vehicles.

This follows on from similar incidents Kil-

linarden Park, Butler McGee Park, Old Bawn and Palmerstown Wood A council spokesperson told Dublin Gazette: “Our Public Realm unit has initiated several works in attempts to combat this problem e.g. running 1.2 metre high fencing along the side of the green space areas, provision of bollards etc.

However, these have not stemmed the actions of a minority who continue to engage in anti-social and menacing behaviour.

“In many such cases it is not always possible to reinstate the damage caused due to the intensity and regularity of such events, and in certain limited cases, where absolutely necessary, the availability of pitches are minimised and in isolated areas have had to be withdrawn.

“It is most regrettable that this type of activity continues and due to the level of such anti-social behaviour at Killinarden Park heretofore, there is

restricted sporting play there in recent months.”

The council passed a motion at the January 2017 council meeting calling for the introduction of primary legislation to regulate ownership and use of scramblers and quads.

The Minister for Justice’s reply at that time indicated that such legislation would require a review of road traffic legislation and the communication had been referred to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

No response was received from the Minis-

ter for Transport, Tourism and Sport and the council recently sent a reminder to his office, but as yet there has been no reply.

For the past two years the council has launched an awareness campaign about the correct use of quads bikes and scramblers in advance of Christmas.

The campaign requested parents who were considering buying these bikes as a Christmas present for their child, to make sure that they were informed as to the legal requirements around these bikes and the use of

them.

These requirements include ensuring that the vehicles are taxed and insured.

The council spokesperson added that, as the issue was a countywide one, they now consider it appropriate to potentially establish a county or regional task force to tackle the problem.

This will be considered jointly by the Environment Public Realm and Climate Change and Land Use Planning & Transportation SPC at forthcoming February meetings.

Getting South Dublin active

OPERATION Transformation walks will take place across South Dublin County Council in January.

The walks are being organised by the following organisations: Name of group Contact Name Contact No. St Finians GAA Glenview Park Walking Group St. Dominics Walking Group Tallaght Athletics Club - Couch to 5k An Cosan Thomas Davis GAA Tallaght Sports Complex Fettercairn Community Centre Perrystown Community Centre Ballyboden St. Endas GAA St Judes GAA Round Towers GAA Lucan Operation Transformation Waterstown Warriors Quarryvale Community Centre Balgaddy Family Centre Supervalu Rowlagh

Katie Keane 087 7827329 Denise Lakes 086 3238584 Jacky Fahy 087 2223739 Sarah Kinsella 087 2162284 Sharon Bermingham 01 4628488 Fiona Lawrence 087 6881936 Glenda Murphy Smullen 01 4515105 Reception 01 4527011 Reception 01 4515527 Anne Devlin annedevlin16@gmail.com Louise O’Connell 087 9625998 Cathal O Donoghue 087 2834150 Liona O Toole 087 2795274 Ann Battersby 087 6995931 Susan Collins 01 6269151 Patricia Mc Cann 01 4577104 Customer Service 01 6200042

To take part in any of the walks, please get in touch with the relevant contact above. South Dublin County Sports Partnership would be delighted to hear from any other groups that are organising walks. For further information contact info@ sdcsp.ie See advertisement on Page 6

FASTNews

CCTV to combat illegal dumping SOUTH Dublin County Council have confirmed that they will develop CCTV to combat illegal dumping in St Cuthbert’s Park, Clondalkin.

Cllr Francis Timmons said that he totally condemns illegal dumping in the area.

He said: “There can be no excuse for dumping. No one likes paying for rubbish disposal but it is not excessive, less than two packets of cigarettes or three pints would pay for it.”

He said that he was “delighted” that CCTV will be developed to combat the problem.

The litter warden has been notified about the dumping in St Cuthbert’s Park and the items are scheduled for removal.

Man in late 40s killed in crash A MAN in his late 40s was killed in a crash in Lucan on Sunday morning.

Gardai are investigating the single vehicle fatal road traffic collision that occurred on the N4 inbound.

The man was the sole occupant of the car and was fatally injured when his car left the road and struck a wall at approximately 2.15am.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene and his body removed to Blanchardtown Hospital where a post mortem took place.

Gardai are appealing to any persons who may have witnesses the collision or can assist them in the investigation to contact them at Lucan Garda Station at 01 6667300, the Garda Confidential Line 1 800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

11 January 2018 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 11 January 2018

Out and About

Strong showing from Dubs with Sports Scholarships T

Bronagh Elliott with Eleanor Ryan Doyle from Lucan

Bronagh Elliott, Financial Controller, ITB is pictured presenting Odhran McNally from Raheny with a ITB sports scholarship for soccer. Andres Poveda Photography

HERE was strong Dublin representation this year as ITB (Institute of Technology Blanchardstown) awarded their Annual Sports Scholarships to 22 ITB students in Kickboxing, Soccer, Basketball, Rugby, Pool, Canoeing, Boxing, Athletics and Badminton with all packages totalling €25,000. Of the 22, 18 were Dubs. Students, selected for the ITB Sports Scholarships benefit from an excellent financial package as well as the excellent support services made available to them.

Aimee Clarke from Donnycarney

Paul Ryan from Donahgmede

11 January 2018 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

Bronagh with Anna Brennan from Malahide

Jordan Fallon from Castleknock

Steven Ball from Swords

Bronagh with Shane Elworthy from Swords

Sean Bregazzi from Glasnevin

8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 11 January 2018

EDUCATION | TEEN WAS ‘FORCED TO LEAVE SCHOOL’

‘It was making her miserable forcing her to go to school’

 MARK O’BRIEN

A golden opportunity

GOLDEN Ticket winner Bobby Luiz receiving his €500 prize in the EZ Living Furniture Blanchardstown Store. Each week for the month of January, every EZ Living store will select a winner who will receive a €50 voucher which can be used against their next purchase.

These 10 winners will also be entered into the subsequent golden ticket draw for the main prize of the week. Further details can be found at www. ezlivingfurniture.ie/goldenticket.

A TALLAGHT teenager says that she was forced to leave school because a lack of teaching resources was affecting the standard of education she was receiving.

Chloe O’Faolain (16) had been attending St Aidan’s Community School in Brookfield, Tallaght.

But she left in November because there would often be days when there were no teachers available to take most of up to six of her nine classes.

Chloe’s mother Sinead told Dublin Gazette that she couldn’t keep sending Chloe to the school because it was making her depressed.

“She was heartbroken,” said Sinead.

“It was making her miserable forcing her to go to that school and she was coming home from school every day in tears and I couldn’t do it to her anymore. It just wasn’t right.”

Sinead was keen to stress that she felt the school were doing their best for their pupils but were hamstrung by a lack of resources.

“I don’t blame the school entirely because I think they were trying to do the best with what they had,” she said.

“It’s basically the system that’s at fault.”

Sinead is currently trying to enrol Chloe into another local school but

Chloe has been focussing on competing in Top Model Ireland. Picture: Grant McDonald

has not yet been successful.

In the meantime, Chloe has been focussing her attentions on competing in Top Model Ireland.

Chloe found out that she had been accepted into the competition not long after she left school.

“It came at the best time,” said Chloe.

“I really needed it.”

Chloe has taken part in boot camps, learned how to do make-up and taken part in photoshoots ahead of the final of the competition, which takes place on January 20 in the Citywest Hotel, with the proceeds going to Make-A-Wish Ireland.

Chloe said that taking part in the competition had been a massive confidence boost following her departure from school.

But she also has her sights firmly set on returning to education and going to college.

“I want to do culinary arts or something in social work,” she said.

Dublin Gazette contacted St Aidan’s Community School and the Department of Education for comment on the staffing difficulties that led to Chloe leaving the school.

Principal of St Aidan’s, Karen Quigley, said: “In common with many schools, we have found that there are increasing difficulties around recruitment of teachers.

“However, classes and students are never left unsupervised during any period of recruitment.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said: “Teacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by the Department in accordance with established rules based on how many pupils are enrolled in the school. “ The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on the Department website.

“The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority.

“The deployment of teaching staff in the school, the range of subjects offered and ultimately the quality of teaching and learning are in the first instance a matter for the school management authorities.

11 Janaury 2018 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 11 Janaury 2018

Out and About

Haris Koutsikos

Michelle Mulcahy, Louise Mulcahy and Michael Mulcahy. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Great live music in our most historic places Vasiliki Ioannidi and Justine Zwiazek

O

NE of the biggest and best traditional music festivals in Ireland is set to rock the Capital very soon. The festival was launched by Minister for the State Ciaran Cannon at the department of Foreign Affairs recently. This year’s TradFest will be dominated by female performers including Judy Collins, Martha Wainright, Michelle & Louise Mulcahy and Maria Doyle Kennedy. TradFest 2018 takes place in some of the most iconic venues across the Capital from January 24 to 28.

11 Janaury 2018 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

Eileen O’Brien, Lorraine Heffernan, Niamh Fitzgerald, Hilary McGee and Kathleen Trunk. Pictures: Fanchea Gibson

Bronze medalist Eileen O’Brien and silver medalist Niamh

Harriers flying high Niamh Fitzgerald

L

Lorraine Heffernan

Niamh Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald

UCAN Harriers were well represented at the Dublin Masters Cross Country Championships which were held in St Anne’s Park, Raheny last week. Niamh Fitzgerald led the Lucan ladies home finishing 3rd overall, and won the silver medal in the F40 age category in a time of 12.26. Next home for Lucan was Lorraine Heffernan who crossed the finish line in a time of 14.11 earning her 5th place in the F45 age category and she was closely followed by Hilary McGee who finished in 14.14. Next home was Kathleen Trunk in a time of 15.25 and Eileen O’Brien who finished in a time of 18.08 which earned her the bronze medal in her age category.

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE 11 January 2018

GAZETTE

DUBLINBUSINESS Enterprise Ireland reports creation A new year, so time of 19,332 new jobs for a new job, think employees – survey RESEARCH | CONSULTANCY SEES RELIABLE STAPLE IN WORKERS’ THOUGHTS

ENTERPRISE Ireland has reported the creation of 19,332 new jobs by Enterprise Ireland backed companies in 2017.

There are 209,338 people now employed in companies supported by the agency.

This is the highest total employment achieved in the history of the agency.

This represents a net increase of 10,309 jobs for 2017, taking account of job losses.

In line with total employment levels, the net increase in jobs, is the highest on record with Enterprise Ireland.

Enterprise Ireland attributed the strong performance by Irish businesses to the continuing growth of an entrepreneurial climate for start-ups, allied to strong jobs growth in the Construction (8% increase), Engineering (8% increase), Lifesciences (8% increase), Digital Technology (6% increase), Electronics (6% increase), Food (4% increase) and ICT sectors (5% increase).

Temporary support for businesses hit

by Eleanor’s wrath THE Irish Red Cross has confirmed that the Department of Defence has requested the society to administer an emergency humanitarian support scheme to assist small businesses, community, voluntary and sporting bodies affected by the recent devastating floods caused by Storm Eleanor.

The scheme will provide support up to €5,000 initially for those who meet the eligibility criteria, and up to €20,000 following receipt of more detailed information and a site visit.

This scheme provides emergency humanitarian support to small businesses impacted by the flooding from Storm Eleanor between January 2-5, with the closing date for receipt of applications set for January 31.

Targeted at small businesses (with up to 20 employees), the funding is a temporary support contribution towards the costs of returning business premises to their pre-flood condition and designed to cover damage to buildings, contents and fixtures and fittings.

This scheme also provides temporary emergency humanitarian support to community, voluntary and sporting bodies impacted by flooding from Storm Eleanor between January 2-5.

This aid is designed to cover damage to buildings, contents and fixtures and fittings; however, it is not designed to provide a contribution for loss of earnings or loss of business goodwill, or for damage caused to pathways, sports grounds, carparks or pitches.

To download an application form, or for further information, see www.redcross.ie.

A RECENT survey by recruitment consultancy, Osborne, has revealed that 85% of respondents have started back to work for 2018 – and the first thing on their to-do-list is to look for a new job.

A better salary (28%), and a new challenge (20%) are the two main driving forces behind the search, with promotion, location and a complete change of career completing the top five reasons, and more than a quarter citing all five as the reason to change jobs.

Shona McManus, Osborne’s chief executive, said: “Having time to regroup over Christmas and the opportunities that the New Year brings gives many employees the chance to reflect on

the past year and make resolutions and plans for the year ahead.

“In today’s market, candidates may find it difficult to get clarity and

direction on next steps, as there are a number of employment platforms available.

“Some 9% of those surveyed have not changed

jobs within the past 10 years, so for them, finding a new role or company could be extremely daunting.”

Joanne Murray, recruit-

ment and business manager at Osborne, added: “A career plan is a good way to start the year for any employee.

“To get started, we advise performing a selfassessment or personal audit, which consists of making a list of skills, abilities and experiences.

“This will act as a snapshot of who they are as an employee, and what they can offer.

“Creating long- and short-term career goals will help the candidate to critically assess their objectives and decide on reasonable goals, which they will then list, starting from the long-term goals and working backwards, identifying benchmarks along the path towards their long-term goals,” she said.

STATISTICS | TOTAL DOWN ON 2016 – BUT REFLECTS GOOD TRADING

Market watchers toast Dublin pub sales worth €20m in 2017 LAST year saw 20 Dublin pubs changing hands in sales worth more than €22 million.

Commercial property consultants CBRE Ireland have released statistics on the volume and value of pub sales in the Dublin market.

They show that 20 pub properties, totalling sales worth more than €22 million, sold in the Irish capital last year – a figure that compares to €43 million in 30 pub sales in Dublin the previous year.

Some notable Dublin pub properties that sold in the past 12 months include Boland’s in Stillorgan; JJ Smyth’s on Aungier Street, Dublin 2; Sandyford House, Sandyford and the Arc Cafe Bar at Liffey Valley in West Dublin.

‘Pent-up demand’ John Ryan, director of CBTRE Hotels said: “On the one hand, the volume of transactional activity in the Dublin pub sector last year was disappointing, consid-

ering the volume of pent-up demand prevailing for good licensed premises in the capital.

“However, on the other hand, it is largely reflective of strong economic and trading conditions that have encouraged publicans to remain in business.

“Good trading conditions boosted turnover and profitability, leading to a corresponding uplift in the value of the underlying asset, which encouraged many publicans to continue trading.”



GAZETTE

DUBLINLIFE

11 January 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

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

2017 BIRTHS: FORTY NEW ADDITIONAL ANIMALS ARE WELCOMED TO POPULAR ATTRACTION

A very busy year for babies at Dublin Zoo

 MARK O’BRIEN

SINCE Dublin Zoo first opened its doors in 1830, its 28 hectares has been transformed with the support of the Irish public and now attracts over 1 million visitors a year.

Last year proved to be a particularly busy year for the zoo, as it welcomed 40 new animal additions.

“2017 has been a truly remarkable year for all of us here at Dublin Zoo,” said Leo Oosterweghel, director at Dublin Zoo.

“We were delighted to welcome a total of 40 new animals including the births of two Asian elephants, a southern white rhinoceros, an eastern bongo calf and no less than three scimitar-horned oryx - a species classified as extinct in the wild.”

Scimitar-horned oryx were once widespread across northern Africa but due to overhunting, habitat loss and competition with domestic livestock, they have gradually disappeared from the wild.

The species have now been classi-

fied as extinct in the wild.

Since 2013, Dublin Zoo has financially supported the reintroduction programme for the scimitar-horned oryx in Tunisia. Currently there are over 200 oryx in semi-wild areas in four national parks across Tunisia.

These semi-wild areas are an immediate step between zoo animals and wild living animals.

Dublin Zoo kicked off 2017 with the birth of a healthy eastern bongo calf, a species classified as critically endangered.

Born on January 5, the calf is the offspring of mother Nanyuki a n d father Hodari.

This was a particularly significant birth for Dublin Zoo, as only between 75 and 140 eastern bongos exist in the wild.

A population in rapid decline, the eastern bongo is hunted in the wild for its horns and meat.

As well as the animal additions, Dublin Zoo also opened some new attractions this year.

In July, Zoorassic World opened its doors. The Zoo’s new home for reptiles past and present features Stan, a life-size replica fossil of a Tyrannosaurus rex that lived 65 million years ago.

Dublin Zoo’s opening hours are 9.30am-4pm, with last entry at 3pm.

Tickets are priced at €17.50 for adults and €13 for children over 3 and under 16.

NEW BONGO CALF

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 11 November 2018

GAZETTE

DUBLINLIFE Get a glimpse into the mind of world’s most famous hacker

DIARY

BT MINDSHARE: EXPERT SET TO PERFORM A LIVE HACK

THE “World’s most famous Hacker”, Kevin Mitnick, will be the keynote speaker at BT Mindshare, which takes place during the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at 5pm in the RDS, Dublin.

Formerly one of the FBI’s Most Wanted, Kevin has since transformed himself into a trusted security consultant to Fortune 500 enterprises and governments worldwide, mentoring leaders and staff on both the theory and practice of social engineering and educating consumers on how they can protect themselves from today’s latest threats.

On his first visit to Ireland, Mitnick will be performing a live hack

and will bring insight and experience alive to a room full of senior business professionals where security is top of their agenda.

Tickets are available online now costing €6 for students, €12 for adults and €25 for a family pass which includes two adults and two children. http:// btyoungscientist.com/ ticketing/

MUNKY RELEASING SECOND SINGLE DUBLIN’S alt-rockers Munky are releasing their second single 7am on Wednesday, January 17.

The release will also be accompanied by a video written and directed by the band’s frontman Zac Stephenson.

This is the follow up to their debut single Hunter

Gatherer Blues which resulted in a sold out Whelan’s mainstage show in February 2017.

The ‘7am’ single launch on the February 9 in Whelan’s sold out within a month of the announcement and as a result a second date has been added, Saturday, February 10.

All the proceeds of this second date will be given to the Peter McVerry Trust to help combat the homeless crisis.

Tickets are on sale now via eventbrite and donations will be welcome on the night.

POWERFUL STORIES AT THE NEW THEATRE THE New Theatre in Temple Bar is currently playing host to the highly acclaimed show, Save +

Quit.

Fun, fast paced and fearless, Save + Quit tells the powerful and empathetic stories of four humans.

The play was chosen as the winner of the London Student Drama Festival 2015 and completed a hugely successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and VAULT Festival in London.

Save + Quit runs until January 20. Tickets available from www.thenewtheatre.com.

FUNDING TO SUPPORT ANGLING EVENTS INLAND Fisheries Ireland has launched its Sponsorship Fund for 2018 which will support angling events and initiatives across the country.

The fund supported

Dublin’s alt-rockers Munky are getting set to release their second single

79 events and initiatives across 19 counties to the tune of €30,000 in 2017, with a particular focus on those which help grow Ireland’s angling tourism product and support novice anglers.

Inland Fisheries Ireland’s Sponsorship Fund aims to support large international competitions held in Ireland which showcase Ireland’s angling offering and contribute to local economies.

The fund contributes to novice angler events which increase participation in angling among those who want to begin, or who have recently taken up, fishing as a hobby.

Applications for funding from the Sponsorship Fund are now invited from anyone organising an angling initiative.

The scheme will remain open for applications until January 22 2018 and all

applications can be made online at www.fisheriesireland.ie/Angling-Information/sponsorship-programme.html.

INNOVATIVE THERAPY FOR MENTAL HEALTH A GROUND-BREAKING mental health treatment, with potential to save thousands of patient lives, is launching in Dublin this month.

Smart TMS, a leading UK clinic for the treatment of mental health issues, launches its innovative Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy on January 15 in Ireland.

Statistics from the Healthy Ireland Survey (2016) suggest that over half of the Irish population will either have personal experiences with mental health issues, or have experience with someone with a mental health prob-

lem.

TMS is a clinically proven and non-invasive treatment which stimulates the affected areas of the brain using magnetic energy, treating a range of mental health issues including depression, anxiety, OCD, addiction, PTSD and depersonalisation disorders.

FAMOUS PAINTER’S WORK ON DISPLAY CLOSING the afternoon of January 14 is the National Gallery of Ireland’s exhibition Frederic William Burton: For the Love of Art, which has been delighting audiences since October.

Don’t miss this fascinating show that reveals the full talent of Burton.

Advance ticket booking is advised due to high demand. Great concession offers from €5, see www.nationalgallery.ie

11 January 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

GAZETTE

FEATURE

Enjoy food in a whole new way  MARK O’BRIEN

EVERY year, dieting and losing weight factor among people’s most common New Year’s resolutions.

After the overindulgence of Christmas, many people resolve to get fit and healthy and this often involves new fad diets.

But one Dublin-based psychotherapist says that diets don’t work and that people can lose weight while still enjoying their food.

Karina Melvin recently released her new book, Artful Eating: The Psychology of Lasting Weight Loss.

Artful Eating contains no strenuous exercise regime, no food elimination and no strict meal plan - just powerful psychological tools and strategies aimed at creating lasting change.

It is filled with stories, examples and the actions that Karina says people need to take to reprogram

their minds to lose weight, by changing their thoughts, behaviours and approach to pleasure.

Karina – who has run her own psychotherapy practice since 2010 – told Dublin Gazette that the book was inspired by the work that she was doing with people who were unhappy with their bodies.

“How I came to it really was working in the clinic and I was struck by how many, regardless of their age, regardless of their gender, regardless of their size, would talk about weight and would talk about their relationship with food,” she said.

“I’m not talking about the far end of the spectrum – people with eating disorders per se – the book isn’t necessarily for people who have extreme issues with food as a problematic symptom.

“More just in terms of, as a society, I realised that this is a stick we beat ourselves up with on a con-

stant basis.”

Karina says that she wants to change the narrative around food.

“Our relationship with food and attaining weight loss isn’t about what we eat,” she said.

“It’s about what we think, how we feel.”

As well as treating people in her practice, Karina also runs an online course that promotes Artful Eating and has recently started a podcast on the same subject.

She says that, through her research, she is convinced that dieting doesn’t work.

“The diet is basically doomed to fail because you’re fighting against seven million years of evolution,” she said.

“The body is designed to hold on to weight and as soon as we start to calorie restrict or limit our food intake the body responds by clinging on.

“My hope is to stop people from

dieting because they don’t work and also to stop with this good/ bad relationship and really just start to engage in enjoying food, finding pleasure in food whether it’s healthy food or sweet treats or whatever it is but just that we can enjoy it.

“And when we start to enjoy it really wonderful things happen.

“We slow down, we eat less, we don’t feel guilty, we enjoy ourselves, we feel better in ourselves and we start to lose weight.

“So it’s a really positive approach and it works in comparison to diets, which don’t work.

Artful Eating provides actions, exercises and key psychological ingredients to successful weight loss.

Artful Eating is available in all good bookstores and online now.

Karina’s new book contains powerful strategies to create lasting change

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 11 January 2018

11 January 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

GAZETTE

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 11 January 2018

DUBLINLIFE

CINEMA ReelReviews

VISIT THE SKELLIGS!

Makes a Force-ful impact BORD Failte’s ingenious film about visiting the lovely Skellig Islands (oh, all right, it’s really The Last Jedi, Cert 12A, 155 mins, which has lots of scenes shot at the Skelligs) is an interesting addition to the Star Wars series. There’s something truly spinetingling about seeing the late Carrie Fisher (as General Leia) in her final film, but Mark Hamill surpisingly steals the show with a terrific turn as a much older, jaded Luke Skywalker.

It’s definitely a news room, not a snooze room with magnetic stars like Tom Hanks (as Ben Bradlee) and Meryl Streep (as Katherine Graham) at the heart of The Post

THE POST: TIMELY REMINDER ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLISHING THE TRUTH

Press to get real news THE Post (Cert 12A, 115 mins) director Stephen Spielberg’s timely defence of the free press, stars Meryl Streep as Katharine Graham – the first female publisher of an American newspaper.

Helming The Washington Post alongside editor Ben Bradlee (played by serial Spielberg collaborator Tom Hanks), Graham aids in exposing decades of American government lies concerning the Vietnam War. In the process, she puts her reputation on the line, risks her career and those of her employees, and gambles with the life of the paper itself – all worthy bets when freedom of the press and the truth itself is concerned, posit Spielberg and Co. Indeed, the inhabitants

 MARTIN MACNAMARA

of this world eat, sleep and breath journalistic integrity and the almighty truth – “the right to publish”.

The only way to protect that very right, we’re told

by Bradlee, is “to publish”.

Consequently, for all the grey areas in politics, this is fundamentally a world of black and white, much like the newspapers on which it thrives.

Centred on the government’s attempted cover up of The Pentagon Papers in 1971, The Post’s conspiracy-driven overtones evoke the work of Alan J Pakula

– in particular, 1976’s All the President’s Men – an association that will be lost on few cinema-lovers regardless of the narrative.

Aesthetically, The Post is all slow-zooms, naturalistic lighting and sudden cuts, bringing to mind the best of paranoid 1970s cinema, and even some of Spielberg’s own work from the decade – visually, along with its slow, deliberate pace, this is a far more nostalgic film for the director than any of his late-career throwbacks.

Deftly choreographed long-takes and tracking shots bring us through frantic newsrooms where incessant typewriters click away like drums in a march to war, and the office space is so choked

with the smoke of anxiously sucked-dow n cigarettes, you can all but smell the tobacco from the comfort of your cinema seat.

The office of The Washington Post is not just the war room, it’s the war zone itself – a world away from the Vietnam battlefield in which proceedings begin, but thematically and aesthetically connected.

A peppering of stock footage adds an element of pseudo-realism to a story about truth in journalism, politics and everywhere in-between.

While Hanks is in typically magnetic form here, leading the journalistic procedural element of the narrative and pulling us into all its sinister intrigue, it’s Streep that, unsurpris-

ingly, carries The Post’s dramatic weight.

It’s from Graham that all narrative tension evolves; a woman leading a newspaper in a world where politics is a men’s table subject and women remove themselves to discuss the style section in the sitting room.

It’s great to see longtime collaborates Bob Odenkirk and David Cross acting alongside each other in a major dramatic film, and Sarah Paulson, although regrettably underused, turns in a great performance as Bradlee’s wife, Tony.

Bruce Greenwood is a dead ringer for Robert McNamara, whose sanctioned study instigated all this controversy.

This story about the free press and its essential

role in democracy is well told, timely and deeply necessary.

Spielberg’s sinister positioning of Nixon through the window of the Oval Office in a number of scenes has dark ties to its current inhabitant.

However, affairs are a little too neatly tied up here to inspire any further investigation – we rarely have to work at following The Post, and for it to provoke any radical consideration of the subject, a little more nuance may have been necessary.

Still, while it may not garner Spielberg any major awards this season, The Post provides a nailbiting political thriller with much to say from a master showing little sign of slowing down.

Verdict: 8/10

JUMANJI

A jungle-icious reboot LESS of a reboot of the classic Robin Williams film, and more of a reimagining, Jumanji (Cert 12A, 119 mins) turns out to be a surprisingly fun romp through the Jumanji universe. Again taking a core premise of kids getting sucked into a game, some older teens find themselves trapped in their gaming alter egos, and forced to survive in the Jumanji jungle world. Jack Black is a hoot and a half!

DADDY’S HOME 2

Yule be glad when it’s gone LAST and very definitely least, Daddy’s Home 2 (Cert PG, 100 mins) is a Christmas turkey whose time on our big screens is thankfully up.

Mel Gibson clashes with Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg and John Lithgow as a diverse family tries to get through Christmas with some wildly different dads in tow.

The end result? An often humourless, macho tale with some uncomfortably sexist jokes that don’t sit too well.

11 January 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

GAZETTE

WHAT’S ON

BEST OF THE REST JANUARY 11 (Thursday) Christy Moore @ Vicar Street, sold out Ghost Accuser + Ger Fox Sailing + Runway Lights + Niamh Regan @ Workman’s Club, €8 The Manglers @ Grand Social, free Michael Buckley’s ‘Dublin Standard Time’ @ Bruxelles, €10 JANUARY 12 (Friday) Jarlath Regan @ Vicar Street, €25 Organek Dla Wosp @ Grand Social, €20 The Bionic Rats @ Grand Social, free Delorentos host The Therapy Sessions @ The Workman’s Club, €10 Kiernan McMullan + Aaron Shanley @ Fibber Magee’s, free Camelphat @ District 8, €20 JANUARY 13 (Saturday) The Redneck Manifesto + Margie Jean Lewis @ Whelan’s, sold out Instrumental rock band starring Jape make a rare return to the stage in what’s sure to be a loud, lairy yet brilliantly nuanced rock night out. They’re a Dublin treasure; catch them while they’re still around.

Silent Front + Hands Up Who Wants To Die @ Whelan’s Upstairs, free Ewa Gigon, Workman’s Club, €10 Bone Machine plays the music of Tom Waits @ Grand Social, €10 The Hot Press Big: Rusangano Family + Ailbhe Reddy, Le Boom and A. Smyth @ Tramline, €12 Last year’s Choice Music Prize winners Rusangano Family are probably the best hip-hop act ever to come out of Ireland, and a fiery live act, full of bounce and not afraid to tackle big issues in their lyrics.

The support’s not at all bad, either!

PICK

OF THE WEEK

JANUARY 14 (Sunday) The Dublin Blues Cartel @ Whelan’s, free Mack Fleetwood @ Vicar Street, €25 JANUARY 16 (Tuesday) 6Lack @ The Olympia Theatre, €27-€29 Motionless In White @ The Academy, €26 God Mother +Ilenkus + Destriers @ Whelan’s, €12 The Ruby Sessions - secret line up for charity @ Doyle’s, €6 You never know what you’re getting with the Ruby Sessions, but if you turn up every week, you’ll see pretty much everything worth seeing in Irish music. Turn up early to ensure entry, it’s ‘on the door’ only.

Pierce Turner @ The National Concert Hall, €25 JANUARY 17 (Wednesday) This Is The Kit @ Whelan’s, €19

CELEBRATING DAVID BOWIE - A TRIBUTE  JAMES HENDICOTT

THERE are loads of great gigs and events happening across Dublin in the coming week (see panel, left), but a celebration of the late, great and utterly unique David Bowie stands out as a show not to be missed.

Taking place at The Olympia Theatre next

Monday, January 15, Celebrating David Bowie – A Tribute sees long-time Bowie collaborator and recording keyboardist Mike Garson lead other experienced Bowie figures to present a show that’s not only a celebration of Bowie’s inimitable music, but also imagines what a 2018 tour by ‘The Thin White Duke’ himself might have been like.

With music played by some of the musicians who knew Bowie best, it promises to be a night to remember, with Dublin one of the few European cities that the largely UStouring show is also visiting.

Tickets priced €45-€51 are available now via Ticketmaster, the Olympia Box Office, and all usual outlets.

GAZETTE

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 11 January 2018

DUBLINLIFE

TravelShorts

The world is on offer at an RDS show THE new year is barely

a wet weekend old, but already many of us are looking ahead to sunnier times and climes in the coming year – and there’ll be a dizzying range of options to consider at this year’s Holiday World Show.

Taking place at the RDS Simmonscourt from Friday, January 26 to Sunday, January 28, this

Water view! For those looking to get off the

year’s show looks set to

beaten track, Vietnam offers an unforgettable

be the best yet.

mix of some of the world’s most incredible

More than a thousand

landscapes, and a rich, diverse culture

travel experts from across the island of Ireland and the whole globe will be on hand to offer visitors a world of dream destinations.

From unforgettable breaks in our own fair isle to old favourites, up and coming travel hotspots, trendy getaways, cruises and package deals – and much more – the show looks set to be holiday heaven for all.

For full info, see www. holidayworldshow.com.

WIN a family pass to the holiday show TO HELP celebrate the upcoming Holiday World Show at the RDS from January 26-29, we have ten sets of family passes to give away.

To enter and be in with a chance of winning, email your name, address and contact details to competitions@dublingazette.com before noon on Friday, January 19. The lucky winners will be contacted by email.

Good luck!

DREAM DESTINATIONS: BEAT THE JANUARY BLUES WITH SUN-SATIONAL ESCAPES

Dig into bucket list bliss with top 2018 holidays  SYLVIA POWNALL

memorable as its citizens mark 200 years of independence. So why not jump on a flight, raise a glass of pisco sour and join them?

Travel Editor

THERE’S no better way to beat the January blues than with a good, oldfashioned bit of escapism.

We’ve put together our predictions for 2018 to give you a headstart on everyone else. Bucket lists at the ready ...

1 Chile It might resemble a long string of misery on a map, but nothing could be further from the reality.

Explore the sun-kissed historic treasures found in Montenegro

This South American gem of a country has a vibe all of its own – with the soaring Andes to the east, the vast Pacific Ocean to the west, the

Atacama Desert to the north and the wilds of Patagonia to the south.

Celebrations in the trendy capital of Santiago are expected to be

2 The Commonwealth Games, World Cup or Winter Olympics It’s a super year for spor ts fans and the variety of destinations will keep the keenest of globetrotters happy too.

It all starts with the Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, followed by the Commonwealth Games

on Australia’s Gold Coast.

What better excuse to go and visit some of the planet’s most talkedabout destinations?

And, if you fancy something closer to home, there’s always Russia’s first FIFA World Cup this summer.

3 Montenegro This slice of Adriatic coastline has become more and more accessible to travellers over the past decade.

Now Montenegro – which is just a short hop

across the border from Croatia – is tipped to hit the mainstream in 2018.

The majestic coastline was showcased to great effect in James Bond flick Casino Royale, and celebs have long since cottoned on to the delights of Buddva.

The bustling town of Tivat on the picturesque Bay of Kotor should also feature on your ‘must-see’ list.

4 Vietnam This Asian gem has rightly emerged from the shadow of its neighbour

11 January 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

GAZETTE

TRAVEL

Oman has avoided many of the pitfalls of her over-developed neighbours, and offers visitors a more authentic Middle Eastern experience

Thailand.

With investment in tourism infrastructure increasing, major hotel brands establishing more of a foothold and flight options expanding, now is the perfect time to see Vietnam’s beautiful landscapes, experience its rich history and mix with its friendly people.

Food, drink and accommodation options are all great value.

5 Symphony of the Seas launch Royal Caribbean’s eagerly-awaited flagship vessel will take to the seas in 2018, weighing in at 230,000 tonnes, and accommodating 5,500 passengers in 2,774 cabins across 16 decks.

H e r s e ve n ‘ n e i g h bourhoods’ will have something for everyone – including a 10-storey waterslide.

She’ll spend her first summer sailing around the Med, before transferring to her home port – a new state-of-the-art cruise terminal in Miami.

You’ll never be bored

Endless jaw-dropping vistas

aboard the floating city

of raw natural beauty await

that is the spectacular

lucky visitors making their

Symphony of the Seas

way down to Chile

If you’re more of a landlubber, how about the Abraj Kudai, currently being built in Mecca by the Saudi royal family?

With more than 10,000 rooms, 12 towers, 70 dining options and a US$3.5 billion price tag, it is set to be the world’s largest and most extravagant hotel.

6 Malta Malta’s historic and rugged beauty remains relatively unknown but its capital, Valletta, has been designated as a 2018 European Capital of Culture (along with Leeuwarden in Holland).

An increased number of flights from Dublin and Belfast will give more travellers than ever the chance to enjoy the 12-month long celebration of art, performance, history and Maltese culture.

7 Oman Travellers who prefer a more authentic Middle Eastern experience than some of its flashier neigh-

Marvellous Malta

Even by Spain’s high

needs no introduction

standards, Seville is a

to Irish tourists

stunning destination

bours have put Oman firmly on the map.

T he destination is growing in popularity among even first-time visitors to the region, thanks to its impressive range of hotel choices, from world-class resorts to tented desert camps, its traditional architecture (a result of its strict no-skyscraper policy), natural wonders – especially the Wadi – and the preservation of local traditions in its art, cuisine and entertainment.

8 Movie- and TVinspired holidays It’s no secret that Game of Thrones has seen tourist numbers to Dubrovnik and Northern Ireland skyrocket, and Star Wars has done no end of favours for these shores.

T his year, we can expect the all-female cast of Ocean’s 8 to throw the spotlight on New York; the Star Wars spin off, Solo, to give Fuerteventura and Italy a boost; and Jurassic

World: Fallen Kingdom to show off Hawaii in all its wild glory.

9 The launch of the world’s longest nonstop commercial flight, to Australia From March, flying Down Under will take just 17 hours, thanks to Qantas’s new direct from London to Perth – the longest non-stop commercial flight ever.

Passengers will be crossing 10 time zones aboard one of Qan-

tas’s brand-new 787 Dreamliners – where the recycled in-cabin air, mood lighting and ergonomically designed seating are all designed to improve the passenger experience. Sounds heavenly.

10 Seville This Spanish city has transformed itself over the past decade to the point where it’s almost unrecognisable.

The traffic gridlock has given way to bicycles

and trams and thanks to the change the capital of Andalucia will host the 31st European Film Awards in 2018.

Scenes for the final season of Game of Thrones will also be shot on location in Seville.

The city still celebrates its artistic past and is in the midst of marking the 400th anniversary of Baroque painter Bartolome Esteban Murillo with a variety of expos lined up for coming months.

GAZETTE

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 11 January 2018

DUBLINMOTORING

Peugeot makes a strong statement with new 5008

Peugeot’s new 5008 car will make a strong impression on the Dublin car market for a combination of its distinctive styling, flexible seating, modern dash design and total package offer.

MICHAEL MORONEY took a New Year drive in the new Peugeot and he’s well impressed with it PEUGEOT’S new 5008 car makes an impressive statement for the French brand in terms of styling and the overall package on offer. This new car for 2018 brings Peugeot into a growing market segment of seven seat SUV’s, with a unique design style that stands out from the crowd in a modern and distinctive way.

SUV growth in the Dublin car market has been phenomenal; the new Peugeot 5008 is set to boost that even further. In its previous form, Peugeot’s 5008 was a top selling MPV, now it has morphed into a large seven seat SUV, almost without a hint of warning, to make it a real family driving choice for 2018.

What’s noticeably different about the new 5008 is that it now comes with the new Peugeot iCockpit

Peugeot 5008 1.6 HDI Engine 1.6 litre Engine power 120hp 0 – 100km/hr 11.4 seconds Economy 23.8km/litre

(4.2l/100km or 67mpg) Fuel Tank Capacity 56 litres CO2 emissions 108g/km Road Tax Band A3 €190 Main Service 20,000km/12 months Euro NCAP Rating 5 star 2016 Towing rating 1300kgs Warranty 5 years Entry Price €29,865 and digital instrumentation across the range.

The 5008 range prices start from €29,345 plus delivery related charges for the Access 1.2 130bhp PureTech petrol version, while the entry diesel versions cost an additional €520.

Peugeot claims that the

new 5008 is lower and more spacious, yet less bulky than competitors.

And while it is a full seven seat car it retains the same height as before at 1.64m while the third row passengers get an extra 21mm of head height.

This new SUV design model is longer than the

previous 5008 and Peugeot claims that this delivers additional knee room for the second row passengers who also have the benefit of individual sliding seats.

The extra length means that the camera reversing kit is useful option for the 5008.

The second row of seats are matching and each separate and can be folded and tilted, while the two third row of seats can be easily folded or removed.

All three seats in the second have three-point Iso-fix child seat anchor points.

The seating arrangement gives the car great flexibility. In the five seat mode, the boot space is impressively huge, while the boot itself is a shade heavy and could benefit from an auto opening system that’s available from other brands. There’s a

The new Peugeot 5008 is an impressive new seven seat SUV from Peugeot with great space, stylish modern looks and good economy, while prices start at €29,345 for the entry level turbo-petrol models.

useful space saver spare wheel tucked externally under the boot floor.

I was driving the 1.6 litre turbo-diesel version that’s rated at 120bhp and comes packed with the extra features that come with the higher specification GT-Line range.

The GT-Line specification adds almost €10,000 to the list price of the car compared with the entry level Access specification model.

There is a lot of extra kit coming with the GT-Line and GT models, while the slightly lower specification Allure models comes with a high level specification at a keener price.

Peugeot has a wide specification option listing for the new 5008 model, across five trim levels which include Access, Active, Allure, GT Line and GT versions, and a

range of both petrol and diesel engines. So take time to look at the choices and give yourself the potential to get the best value offer.

The standard features from entry Access models includes the Peugeot iCockpit interior comprising a compact steering wheel, a configurable 12.3” headup digital instrument panel, an 8” touchscreen, multifunction steering wheel, Bluetooth, USB connectivity and 3 x 12V sockets. This new Peugeot boasts a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

On the safety front, the car comes with Electronic Stability Programme, 6 airbags to include curtain airbags along all three rows, Cruise Control with Speed Limiter, Speed Limit Information with Intelligent

Speed Adaptation, Driver Attention Alert Level 1 and Lane Departure Warning.

The extra third Iso-Fix seat in the middle row is also a useful safety bonus for family owners. There is sufficient width to squeeze three small people in safety and comfort.

Peugeot has re-invented its car range topped now by this impressive 5008 that combines people carrier features in a model SUV styling.

While there is some competition in this big market segment, few cars have the distinctive styling of the Peugeot 5008 in a car that’s packed with features.

This is one 2018 car that has to be driven and experienced to appreciate its styling, flexibility and value running costs.

New electric hybrid Mondeo on the way from Ford

FORD in Ireland is adding its first Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) car to

shift automatic transmission would deliver a fuel consumption rate

its line up with the arrival of the new Ford Mondeo HEV due here in

of 4.8l/100km.

January 2018. This new Mondeo option is based on a 4-door body style with a 2.0 litre 187bhp petrol engine with an automatic transmission in either Titanium or Vignale series.

The car is priced from €34,895 and when a promotional launch discount and VRT rebate is included, customers will be able to get into

Ciaran McMahon, Chairman and Managing Director of Ford Ireland believes that the demand for electric and partial-electric cars in Ireland is on an upward slant accounting for 4.1 percent of car registrations this year.

“The arrival of Mondeo HEV in Ireland is the first step in a progres-

a new Mondeo HEV for approximately €31,500 for a limited period.

sive Electric Vehicle (EV) development plan for Ford that will see

Similar to other HEV models, the energy for the electric motor

seven new full or partial EVs hit the streets of Europe and North

comes from the petrol engine and from regenerative braking where

America by 2020, including a hybrid version of the iconic Mustang that

the energy generated by braking recharges the battery.

will deliver V8 power and even more low-end torque; and two new,

Ford is now offering a petrol hybrid drive Mondeo with

pursuit-rated hybrid police vehicles for North America” says Ciaran

impressive economy figures and a starting price in the

McMahon.

region of €31,500

The Mondeo HEV claims to deliver a fuel consumption rate of 3.8l/100km. For comparison purposes, a 2.0 litre diesel 150bhp Power-

11 January 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

One of the more impressive features of the new Peugeot 5008 is the ease with which you can convert the car from five to seven seat configuration and back again.

NISSAN has revealed that Irish motorists are switching to petrol cars at a much faster rate than the car industry or market analysts predicted.

The shifting trend has emerged from Nissan’s 181 pre-sales figures which reflect its position as Ireland’s number one selling petrol car brand, according to Nissan Ireland CEO, James McCarthy.

The number of new car buyers who have opted to buy the petrol version of the Nissan Qashqai has increased from 29% in 2017 to 54% for 2018.

The numbers buying the diesel model have fallen from 71% to 46%, while the Qashqai mix outside of the cities has doubled from 21% to 40% over the same period.

“Our 181 pre-sales figures show a real shift towards petrol cars where there is a choice on offer.

“The economic factors governing the cost of change and residual values sharply influencing consumer behaviour across the urban and rural divide,” said James McCarthy.

“The rate of change is far more accelerated than predicted and the trend from our 181 pre- sales figures provides very real evidence that the split between petrol and diesel car sales is well on track to being close to equal by the end of next year,” added.

“Sales of the Nissan Qashqai provide a very accurate barometer of what is happening in the market and

our 181 pre-sales figures have swung in favour of petrol for the first time, heralding a return towards the natural market position of 70:30 that existed in 2007,” he continued.

“Diesel drivers are taking a much harder look at their mileage and whether the cost benefits of running a diesel car will be ultimately outweighed by the higher entry costs of owning a diesel car and potential lower residual values.

“Petrol is winning out where consumers have a choice of petrol over diesel and Nissan offers that choice across its model range,” said Mr McCarthy.

“The VW emissions scandal also led to extensive regulatory change which has influenced manufacturers and consumer alike.

“The cost of regulatory compliance has led manufacturers to consider the financial viability of producing diesel cars below €35,000, while consumers are considering the merits of buying diesel at a time when Governments are introducing bans that prevent them from driving those cars into their capital cities,” he added.

Nissan also predicted that cumulative electric vehicle (EV) sales will increase from 3,500 to 14,000 units by 2020 and that the Government’s target of having 20,000 EVs on Irish roads by that time can be achieved but only with significant investment in the country’s EV recharging infrastructure.

GAZETTE

Nissan leads the way in the shift back to petrol

FASTNews

Agnelli Motor Park joins the Suzuki team in Dublin SUZUKI Ireland has announced the appointment of Agnelli Motor Park for its new franchise in Dublin. The state-of-theart 128 square-metre, six-car showroom on Greenhills Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24, is the fourth Suzuki retail location in the Declan Maguire, dealer city, and brings the total

development manager

number of Irish dealers

for Suzuki in Ireland

representing the brand

with Michael Kerslake,

to 22.

Dealer Principal of

The contemporary and

Agnelli Motor Park

spacious premises in Tallaght house Suzuki’s entire model range, spanning the Celerio city car to the flagship S-Cross crossover, and the accessible external forecourt offers a further selection of Approved Used models.

Agnelli Motor Park is also a Suzuki Service Centre that adheres to Suzuki’s Service Promise. Customers will benefit from, amongst other advantages, pricing that is transparent, the use of genuine parts during any maintenance or repair work, and a complementary health check on every visit.

Agnelli Motor Park is one of the busiest motor retailing outlets in Dublin and brings over 20 years’ experience.

2018 brings active year for Mercedes-Benz MERCEDES-Benz is

Both cars have been

planning another

significantly enhanced

active year ahead with

in terms of appear-

nine new models set

ance, specifications

to arrive at Dublin’s

and technology fea-

Mercedes-Benz dealers

tures compared to the

the course of the year.

model they replace.

In the first six

Looking towards the

months, attention will

second half, the spot-

focus on the arrival of

light will move to the

two new S-Class mod-

entry-level A-Class

els, an S-Class Coupe

range with the arrival

New car sales drop 10% while Dublin region stays stronger

and S-Class Cabriolet

of a new A-Class

with arrival dates

hatchback, followed

fixed for the Febru-

towards year-end by a

OFFICIAL statistics released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show that the total new car registrations for the year 2017 finished 10% down on the 2016 figures dropping from 146,649 to 131,356.

New car sales in the Dublin region had a smaller decline of 5.88%, significantly below the national average, confirm Dublin as a significant hub for new car sales in 2017.

The figures show that 54,856 new cars were registered in Dublin in 2017 com-

ary/March period.

saloon version.

This shows the new Peugeot iCorkpit dash design that’s especially modern in terms of style with plenty of functionality and a range of easy to use display options.

pared with 58,285 in all of 2016.

Ireland’s best-selling car in 2017 was the Hyundai Tucson, followed by the Volkswagen Golf, with the Nissan Qashqai, Ford Focus and Skoda Octavia, taking third, fourth and fifth place, respectively.

Volkswagen, Toyota and Ford were the top three selling car brands in Ireland in 2017, according to the SIMI figures, while Hyundai and Nissan took fourth and fifth places.

The top five brands between them accounted for 46.5% of all new car regis-

trations on the Irish market in 2017.

The diesel engine share of the car market dropped by 16.6% in 2017, while registrations of petrol electric, hybrid and electric cars all increase, while still only accounting for less than 5% of the total new car market.

Registrations of new Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV’s) at 24,195, recorded a fall of -14.2% for the year in 2017, while new Heavy Commercial Vehicle registrations (HGV) at 2,602 saw a decrease of -9.4% over the 12 months compared to 2016.

GAZETTE

24 DUBLIN GAZETTE 11 January 2018

DUBLINLIFE

Working out what to wear…

1 2

New Look Green and black palm leaf print leggings €24.99

New Look Grey tie-up front vest €9.99

Penneys Lace-Up mid top black €16

4

3 New Look Green and black palm leaf print crop top €14.99

Penneys Slogan tee €6, shaping leggings €13, holdall metallic gym bag €14

11 January 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

STYLE

6

5 7

8 5 H&M Conscious activewear khaki stripe leggings €19.99 6 H&M Conscious activewear cross back sportsbra €19.99 7 Penneys Holdall gym bag bilver €14 8 H&M Conscious activewear hoodie €29.99

Getting fashionably fit in 2018 OK, OK, we know it’s a cliché but it has to be done.

By now most of us are probably stuffed to the gills after Christmas and dying to get in shape for new year new me, yadda yadda…

Let’s make the thoughts of exercise more enticing

(if it isn’t you’re thing, if it is, go you) with some nice new gym gear.

If anything, you’ll be looking forward to wearing the new gear which can make that first trip back to the gym a bit more bearable.

Penneys grey raincoat €19, Slogan scuba sweat €14, ombre leggings, €11, lace-up black trainers €16 Penneys running crop €5, running leggings €7, pink knit trainer €16

26 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 11 January 2018

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GAZETTE

28 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 11 January 2018

SPORT

FASTSport

FUTSAL: GREENHILLS’ CLARKE LEADS IRISH SIDE AT QUALIFIERS

Lucan Harriers’ women’s team. Picture: Fanchea Gibson

Fitzgerald Masters the Dublin championships NIAMH Fitzgerald led home the Lucan Harriers ladies team with a third place finish at the Dublin Masters Cross Country Championships held in St Anne’s Park, Raheny last Sunday.

She won the silver medal in the F40 age category in a time of 12.26 for the two-lap, 3,000m course in the wooded area of the park. Next home was Lorraine Heffernan who crossed the finish line in 14.11, earning her fifth place in the F45 category. She was closely followed by Hilary McGee who finished in 14.14. Kathleen Trunk ran 15.25 and Eileen O’Brien in 18.08 which earned her the bronze medal in her age category.

The Lucan Harriers team, pictured, were ninth in the W35 team competition.

The Irish women’s deaf futsal team in Dublin Airport

Deaf Euro finals beckon sport@dublingazette.com

THE IRISH deaf futsal team qualified for the European Championships with Greenhills’ Laura Clarke – who captained the side – Lucan’s Jade Kavanagh and Tallaght’s Helen Ward all part of their run.

They needed to finish in the top four of their qualifying group of five over three days. While that might sound an eminently manageable task, the presence of powerhouse sides Germany and Denmark, alongside strong Netherlands and Italy sides, made the Irish favourites to finish bottom. The side

outdid themselves, however, and came through at the last.

On the opening day, Ireland played out a dramatic 3-3 draw with the Dutch hosts in which Ireland saw a player sent off, while they had led late on. A second day defeat to European champions Germany, 6-1 left them with two vital games on Sunday to decide their fate.

They lost heavily on Sunday morning, 13-0 to Denmark, who are regulars in the European top three. Crucially, though, they dismissed Italy 6-2 in the final game and ensured qualification along the way. Italy had

LEINSTER LEADER McGrath props up blues superb winter form FORMER St Mary’s College student Jack McGrath was on the charge for Leinster last Saturday as the province ran up a perfect series of interprovincial results, beating Ulster 38-7 at the RDS. It was the powerful prop’s second appearance of the winter series, lining out also in the victory over Munster on St Stephen’s Day to help the province keep the pressure on the Scarlets at the top of Conference B of the PRO14.

Picture: Martin Doherty

gone into the game a point behind Ireland and needing the win.

Nathalie O’Brien scored twice in the opening half, one which saw an Italian player and coach dismissed, and the Ireland leading 2-1 at half time.

Aisling Hanley and Carmel Heery added second half goals in an ultimately comfortable victory.

Coach Dave Bell said of the outcome: “We knew we’re not on the same level as Denmark yet. We wanted to have our most influential team out for the Italy game, so we did that.”

Fellow coach Ben O’Looney added: “The question after a heavy

defeat like that was always going to be can the girls pick themselves up and bounce back.

“Full credit to the squad, they did a great job, it showed an awful lot of character, an awful lot of strength.

“We were looking at traditionally big teams, and every game is tough.

International football is new to all but two of them, but we always had a lot of faith in the skill level. It was about competing on the big stage.”

“We’ve got a really, really young team,” Bell added. “It’s magnificent.

The first game against Holland was a great game.

Germany was a great experience for the girls, they’re the best team in Europe at the moment.

We learnt a lot from that game, and we’re really developing.

Captain Clarke in particular was commended by the coaches, having played just two months after giving birth.

The squad, which has an average age of just 19, contained a large majority of players who had never played competitive international futsal before, and will now travel to the finals, which take place in Finland in December of this year.

11 January 2018 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

GAZETTE

FAMILY AFFAIR

SUNDAYSenior

Husband and wife drive-in new year HERMITAGE Golf Club’s captain and lady captain - as well as husband and wife - Denis and Chris McGillicuddy are pictured prior to their drive ins on Saturday, January 6.

The event raised the curtain for the club for 2018’s action at the Lucan club.

Picture: Pat Cashman

SOCCER: GILCHRIST ADDS TO TALLAGHT CLUB LINE-UP

Griffiths sends Bluebell top of LSL pile with narrow victory over Bangor

Ally Gilchrist foilowing his confirmation of his signing for Shamrock Rovers

Bradley finally lands his man for Rovers LOI PREMIER DIVISION  DAVE DONNELLY sport@dublingazette.com

SHAMROCK Rovers made their third signing of the off-season last week in the form of defender Ally Gilchrist from St Johnstone.

The Scottish defender follows Cork City’s double-winning midfielder Greg Bolger and former Finn Harps defender Ethan Boyle.

Rovers’ boss Stephen Bradley had hoped to bring the 23-year-old in on loan last summer but has belatedly got his man after the Perth club

agreed to release him.

Gilchrist arrives in Tallaght with Europa League e x p e r i e n c e , h av i n g appeared for the Saints in the competition in each of the past two seasons.

Having been part of the fully-professional set-up with St Johnstone – who have signed Templeogue native David McMillan from Dundalk – Bradley expects him to slot in easily.

“We had Ally over in the summer,” said Bradley. “He spent the week with us training and we were hoping to get him in then on loan. It didn’t quite come off at the time

but I kept in contact with Tommy Wright at St Johnstone.

“Four or five weeks ago, Tommy came and we spoke about a possible deal and we were delighted when we knew we could get something done.

“You can tell he’s been a professional for a number of years because of the way he trains, the way he carries himself and the shape he’s in. For us it was a no-brainer to get him in.

“He’s a ver y good defender, quick and strong. He’s left-footed and can play a bit as well.

He’s a good age for us and

fits in well with what we’re doing.

“I believe he adds a lot of quality to the team and the squad. If you look at us, we’re a big side all over the pitch now.”

Bradley identified defence as an area that needed strengthening and hasn’t been afraid to make difficult decisions as stalwarts Simon Madden and Dave Webster have been let go.

With a couple of further additions expected to come in from outside the League of Ireland in the coming weeks, they hope to be significantly bolstered for the 2018 season.

BLUEBELL United began the new year with a bang as they defeated Bangor Celtic to return to the top of the LSL Senior Sunday division.

A strike from captain Tony Griffiths, pictured, five minutes before half-time was enough to see the Bell to a 1-0 victory at the Red Cow. Just six points separated the clubs at the beginning of the weekend’s fixtures, with Celtic’s two wins on the bounce putting them back in the conversation for the title race.

With the tie between first-place Killester United and reigning champions St Mochtas postponed due to an unplayable pitch, Andy Noonan’s side knew a win of any sort would see them top.

And last year’s FAI Cup quarter-finalists dug in to see off the Crumlin side in a match that, on another night, could have gone either way.

Both sides had chances to take all three points in a game that was ultimately decided by an uncharacteristic error from the experienced Bangor goalkeeper Stephen Conlon.

The game’s first chance fell to Bluebell midway through the first half, and it was the former Inverness Caledonian Thistle striker Dean Ebbe on the end of it.

The Clondalkin native met a pinpoint cross with a header that forced a fine save from keeper Conlon.

And Sean Gleeson had to be alert to prevent Bangor from inching in front at the other end when he nodded a goalbound header off the line.

Bluebell took the lead on 40 minutes as midfielder Griffiths picked the ball up and, with a rare sight of goal, decided to take his chances on a speculative effort.

The captain let fly from distance and saw his shot fly past the despairing Conlon, who may have done better in the circumstances.

Both teams had chances in the second half, with Bangor pressing harder in search of an equaliser and Bluebell looking to land the killer blow.

However, it was defences that won the day as neither goal was breached again in the second half.

In the end, a professional performance from the 2015-16 champions saw them dig out an important win that sees them kick off 2018 on a winning note.

The result leaves Bluebell a point clear at the top of Senior Sunday from Killester with both teams having played 11 games, while St Pat’s CY and Crumlin United head the chasing pack.

Bangor may now begin to look over their shoulders once more as they sit in eighth position.

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GAZETTE

30 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 11 January 2018

SPORT

FASTSport

HURLING: LUCAN QUARTET PLAY PART IN HECTIC START UNDER GILROY

McCormack launches 2018 Great Ireland Run OLYMPIAN Fionnuala McCormack was on hand to launch the 2018 Garmin Great Ireland Run along with personal trainer Sean Harding.

They are encouraging families to get off the couch and get active for 2018, by joining them for a fun, healthy family day out in Dublin’s Phoenix Park on April 15.

With the event taking place in the Spring, it is a perfect opportunity for people to make a commitment towards a healthier lifestyle this year, as they spend time training and having fun getting fit together as a family.

Thousands of runners of all ages and abilities will come together in the beautiful surroundings of Europe’s largest urban park for a fun-filled day out.

There is something to suit everyone on the day, with the choice of a 10k or a 5k run, as well as mini events suitable for kids from three to 15 years old. After the run, kids will take home their very own finisher’s bags, which will include lots of goodies.

Harding, one the creators of ‘Behind the Basics’ health and fitness expo, is excited to take part on the day.

He said: “Being fit and active is something that is so important to me and it’s great to have a goal to work towards after the Christmas indulgence, it makes it easier to just get back on it! Signing up for the Great Ireland Run is the perfect way to make that commitment to getting healthier in the New Year.”

Early bird tickets are available for a limited time and cost €20 for entry to the 10k, €15 for entry to the 5k and €10 for entry to the mini events (1.5k and 2.9k).

New Dublin boss Pat Gilroy has seen his side advance to the semi-finals

Crummey makes his mark WALSH CUP Dublin 4-16 Antrim 0-17  KARL GRAHAM sport@dublingazette.com

PAUL Crummey found the back of the net at a vital point of the game to help Dublin reach the semi-finals of the Walsh Cup following a 4-16 to 0-17 win over Antrim at Parnell Park last Sunday.

The Lucan Sarsfields forward was one of 11 men to start in two games in as many days; with the Boys in Blue losing a challenge match against Tipperary in Thurles the day before.

He was among a quartet of Lucan men involved, lining out with the returning Johnny McCaffrey and brother Chris Crummey while

Ronan Smith came off the bench.

The tough schedule seemed to affect Dublin initially as they fell five points behind within the opening six minutes – with ill-discipline from the Dublin players contributing to four of those points coming from frees.

However, like the game against Meath a few days prior, Dublin once again showed good form in front of goal to significantly reduce their deficit through Crummey’s three pointer in the seventh minute.

The forward found himself in the right position to add a finish to fine work from Cillian Costello. Three unanswered points from the Dubs then saw them in front by the 12th minute.

Dublin’s second goal arrived ten minutes before half time and it was another fine effort.

Alan Moore stooped low to make a great catch before surging past his marker and towards the goal.

He had a teammate bearing down on goal either side of him but he decided to take the chance on himself and crashed a shot off the bar.

The sliotar rebounded to Paul Winters who made no mistake by firing emphatically into the top corner.

Both sides scored a further two points each to see Dublin take a sixpoint advantage into the break.

Antrim notched the first point of the second half but Dublin respond-

ed with another well taken goal. After initially misplacing a puck out, Dubs keeper Gary Maguire showed great composure at the second time of asking by finding Darren Kelly with a nicely disguised pass. The defender went long towards Moore, who ushered the ball past his marker before cutting inside and finding the net.

Moore grabbed his second goal of the game five minutes later after taken advantage of a scramble in the opposition box to stretch his county’s lead to 10 points.

To their credit, Antrim continued to fight valiantly and managed to get within seven, but Dublin eventually reestablished control of the game and consistently

split the posts to win by 4-16 to 0-17.

The win makes it two from two in competitive fixtures for Gilroy since the Dublin board created a stir when they handed him the role in October of last year, and the manager - who led Dublin to their first All-Ireland football championship in 16 years - has praised the character of his players. “ We p l ay e d c h a l lenge games as well during the week and it’s a lot of work but the workrate and effort has been excellent,” Gilroy told the Dublin Gazette pitchside after the win.

“We have to work on our discipline; we gave away too many frees today but you couldn’t fault them for effort. I’m very happy from that perspective.”

11 January 2018 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 31

GAZETTE

FOOTBALL: FRESH-FACED DUBS UNDONE BY WEXFORD

CLUB NOTICEBOARD LUCAN SARSFIELDS HAPPY New Year to all members; we wish

Gerry Seaver lays off a pass. Picture: BallyboughalGAA/Facebook

O’Byrne run comes to close in Enniscorthy O’BYRNE CUP Wexford 1-12 Dublin 0-14  JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

A YOUNG Dublin football side were defeated in the O’Byrne Cup against Wexford on Sunday afternoon, dropping out of the tournament they’ve won for two of the last three years with a low key loss away in Enniscorthy.

Lucan Sarsfields’ Emmett O’Conghaile, Te m p l e o g u e S y n g e Street’s Killian O’Gara and Thomas Davis’s Chris Sallier and Ryan Deegan were all part of the panel that had a mountain to climb, needing to win by 17 points to turn around the goal difference to advance as a result of Offaly’s massive victory against Wexford a week ago.

The Dubs, managed by Paul Clarke and missing their main stars, had been fortunate to draw with Offaly at Parnell Park on Wednesday night.

The hosts, though, started the stronger with Daithi Waters setting the

tone for the home side. He hit a fine solo goal seven minutes in as Wexford played with the wind.

The home team were better all round, gathering lots of possession and adding another nine points to the goal to lead the Dubs by 1-9 to 0-6 at half time, having built much of that lead in a fast-paced and pressured opening ten minutes.

It was clear Clarke was going to have to change something and a lot of that change came in improved second half composure.

Unlike the Offaly contest, the second half proved stronger for Dublin.

They gradually edged back into the game through some well-taken points from Emmet Ó Conghaile, Paddy Small and Colm Basquel, drawing level through a dominant period of play leading up to the 60th minute.

From then on, most would have bet on the Dubs, and when Kevin Callaghan popped up to give the boys in blue a 70th minute lead, it looked like the game – if not the tournament – had

been salvaged.

It was not to be: a sting in the tail from Wexford came via a Craig McCabe free, and then a fine thirty-yard point from Barry O’Connor with four minutes past the allotted time having been played. Despite a weak second half, Wexford had snatched the contest by 1-12 to 0-14.

A few players came out of the O’Byrne Cup with credit: Basquel hit 0-5 on free duty, to add to a still stronger performance on

Wednesday night, while Brian Howard looked a threat without really converting his play into points. Killian O’Gara, Shane Carthy and Graham Hannigan all raised their hands in the Offaly contest early in the week.

Most of these players, though, are very much testing the water of county football though perhaps Clarke might regret his pre-match quote: “if Wexford can keep us to 15 points, perhaps they’ll see that as a moral victory.”

The club wishes all players who will be

teers and our sponsors every success

representing the club on county duty

in 2018.

in the year ahead all the best. Also, the

We are, in association with ABC Gym,

best of luck to those involved with Dublin

trialling a new initiative to provide club

in adult management set-ups: Ken Rob-

subsidised S&C training to all adult play-

inson - ladies football, Fintan Clandillon

ing members for an initial period of three

– U-21 hurling; Gerald Gleeson - minor

months. The cost can be less that €3 per

football; Joe Leonard, Ollie Mahon,

session. Full details available from team

Georgina McClelland - minor camogie;

managers. Download the ABC app for

Michael O’Grady and Martina McGillo-

bookings.

way - senior camogie.

Congratulations to Laura Quinn on

Back by popular demand, it’s the

making the Dublin minor ladies football

Lucan Sarsfields GAA club annual dinner

panel and also to Abby Shiels, Aoife Cof-

dance on Saturday, February 3, 2018.

fey and Caitlin Maguire who have been

Tickets €30 each on sale from any of the

named in the U-16 panel.

committee members (Mary Flannery

Well done to all players who repre-

and Josephine Donohue). Tickets are lim-

sented the club in the Dubs Star matches

ited so don’t leave it too late to get yours

across the festive period, particularly

for the social event of the year.

those who were making their Dublin

25 Card Drive continues every Friday.

ST PAT’S, PALMERSTOWN THE St Patrick’s GAA Christmas charity

087 7422646 (boys).

walk took place on St Stephen’s morning

Flyers will be in all local schools in

in Glenaulin Park. Donations were made

early January for any child interested in

to the Palmerstown Old Folks and the

playing Gaelic football, hurling or camo-

Elizabeth McNicholas Trust.

gie with details of all teams, mentors and

The Paul Hegarty Memorial match

contact details.

was held on Saturday, December 30.

Our lotto numbers for this week were

Again, there was a great turn-out

3, 6, 17 and 18. There was no winner. There

with many players past and present in

was one match three winner – Tom Som-

attendance. Proceeds were donated to

ers.

cancer research.

The jackpot for next week will be

We would like to thank everyone for

€7,200 with the draw taking place on

supporting these events and well done

Sunday night in the Palmerstown House

to all involved with the arrangements

at 10pm.

and helping out.

Tickets are available from Supervalu,

We are now actively recruiting for our

Palmerstown House, Manor Hair Stu-

U-7 girls and boys teams for 2018. Anyone

dios, Mullingar House and Chapelizod

born in 2011 who would like to join these

Post Office. Many thanks to all our ticket

teams, please contact Denise Mullins on

sellers and everyone for supporting this

086 1591268 (girls) and David O’Hanlon

important fundraiser.

ROUND TOWER, CLONDALKIN MEMBERSHIP is now payable for 2018.

team around 5.30-6pm. That night in the

All memberships are to be paid online

club, the hurling section will host a social

and new membership fees for juveniles

night where the senior and junior hurl-

and minors have been introduced by the

ers of the year for 2017 will be presented.

executive. The new fees will cover GAA

This invite extends to all members of

and club registration, sub payments for

the club and non-members who would

referees, insurance and usage of club

like to come along and support. Music

facilities. They will provide savings over

will be provided by Jack Whelan and

the course of a season. Further details

Shane Boland.

are available via our website and payment optionsare now available online.

A hurling workshop will be hosted next Saturday, January 13 at Monastery

Round Tower Follows Operation

Road from 11.30am to 1.30pm. It is free of

Transformation commenced Monday,

charge and is open to all mentors or par-

January 8. Registration costs €20 and

ents. The workshop is being facilitated

that covers all talks and weigh-ins for

by Barry Mullane. Those attending just

the seven-week period. Register online

need to bring a notepad and pen.

now via our website.

The hurling section will be holding the Curran Cup on Saturday, January 13 in

Adam Rogers gets in a tangle

debuts.

all players, managers, coaches, volun-

The club lotto resumed on Monday with the jackpot €1,600. Tickets on sale online or from usual outlets.

Monastery Road, starting at 4pm. The

Line dancing recommences on Thurs-

plan is to play two semi-finals and a final

day, January 11, with beginners from 7.30

with the presentation to the winning

and improvers from 8pm.

GAZETTESPORT

ALL OF YOUR WEST DUBLIN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 28-31

EURO QUALIFICATION: Local trio play massive role in deaf futsal team’s success, booking a finals ticket to Finland P28

JANUARY 11-17, 2018

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS: Dublin senior footballers and hurlers’ cup conundrums P30-31

Crowd call for Molly O’Toole Memorial  KARL GRAHAM

sport@dublingazette.com

LUCAN United will face off against Shamrock Rovers at Celbridge Park this weekend with John Doyle looking forward to a big crowd taking in the second annual meeting of the two clubs for the Molly O’Toole Memorial Cup. Lucan have run the event in memory of Molly who played with the club’s girls youth teams before passing away in 2015 following a short illness when in fourth class.

This year’s match – played on Saturday at Celbridge Astro Park

at 11am – will see funds raised at the gate go toward five-year-old Lacey Robinson who is currently in Great Ormond Street Hospital waiting on the vital funds needed for a transplant.

“What we really need is for people to turn up,” Lucan manager John Doyle told the Dublin Gazette. “We are charging €5 for adults but the kids go free and the whole gate goes towards [her cause].”

On the football front, Doyle knows his side are in for another serious test against the League of Ireland side.

“Rovers have added a few new players and it is their first outing

so it will be interesting to see; we’ll give it a go. To be honest, the event is more for the charity and Rovers have been very good the last two seasons in supporting us on it.”

The LSL Senior Sunday 1A side are flying high in the league this season but Doyle expects a tough challenge from Rovers despite it being their first game ahead of the new season.

“It is good for the players; they get to play against top opposition.

We are going ok in the league but it is a totally different ballpark when you are playing Rovers.

“There are a lot of players who will be looking to get into that

team and they will all be competing for places straight off so it will be interesting.”

“For us, if we can stay with them for a while then we will be happy but we are not going to park the bus – as they say!”

Doyle also dispelled any suggestion that the players might be over-eager to impress against such illustrious opposition.

“They are totally focused on the league. This is great but some of our lads have a lot of experience and have played teams like this loads of times.

“This is a nice distraction for a week but our total focus is on the league.”

Lucan United’s goalkeeper Conor Barco attempts to make a save in last year’s Molly O’Toole Cup