Dublin Gazette: West Edition

DublinGazette FEBRUARY 20-26, 2020

POLSKA GAZETA GAZETA: This week we look

at the Zapusty celebration event held by the Irish Polish Society SEE PAGE 20

SPORT CANOEING:

Salmon Leap’s Liam Jegou the first confirmed member of Team Ireland for Olympic Games.

SEE P32

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THE LATEST NEWS & SPORT FROM SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL AREA

2,000 show interest in 535 affordable homes PADRAIG CONLON

SOUTH Dublin County Council (SDCC) has received a phenomenal response to its affordable homes scheme.

Since launching a portal last September for provisional expressions of interest from the public, more than 2,000 firsttime buyers have expressed an interest in buying the first 535 affordable homes.

In advance of finalising its plans, SDCC said it launched the portal to establish that there are “sufficient levels of interest”

in the scheme.

The council also said that completion of the assessment “does not imply eligibility” and it was not “a waiting list and will not determine priority”.

While the final purchase price of the affordable housing has not yet been determined, SDCC says it is likely to be below €300,000.

The funding to build the new homes came via an allocation of €18 million to SDCC by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government through

the Government’s Serviced Sites fund.

The three sites initially being developed plan for an estimated 300 affordable homes in Killinarden, 135 homes in Phase One of the Clonburris Strategic Development Zone scheme, and 100 homes in Rathcoole.

The homes, which are expected to go on sale from next year, will be available to low- and middle-income buyers who qualify for the State’s “affordable dwelling purchase scheme”.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Microsoft hoping to expand at 20-acre site

US TECH titan Microsoft has detailed plans for a data centre and 120-person office development in Clondalkin – if it can acquire the 20 acres of land it needs.

The land is in Grange Castle Business Park, next to its existing data centre campus.

Microsoft has been in discussions about buying the land with South Dublin County Council, which approved the sale of the land subject to several conditions last December.

SEE PAGE 4

2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 20 February 2020

PICK UP YOUR

2,000 FIRST-TIME BUYERS EXPRESS AN INTEREST

Affordable house scheme EVERY THURSDAY! prompts a huge response

DublinGazette WEST EDITION

at the following locations:

• Aylesbury Clinic – Old Bawn • B&Q – Liffey • B&Q – Tallaght • Ballyfermot Leisure Centre • Centra – Foxborough • Centra – Griffeen • Centra – Lynch ‘s • Citywest Shopping Centre – (Underground car park) • Clarion Hotel • Courtyard Hotel – Leixlip • Credit Union – Clondalkin Main St • Dunnes Stores – The Square Tallaght • Eurasia Supermarket Fonthill • Eurospar – Ballyowen • Freynes Chemist – Clondalkin • Gala – Rossefayre • Leisureplex – Tallaght • Lucan Library • Marks & Spencer – Liffey Valley • Maxol • Neilstown Newsagents • Round Towers G.A.A. Club Clondalkin • Spar – Finnstown • SuperValu – Celbridge • SuperValu – Palmerstown • SuperValu Firhouse • SuperValu Leixlip • Tesco – Celbridge • Tesco - Clondalkin • Tesco – Liffey Valley • The Food Centre • The Mill Centre • Topaz • Maxol • Westmanstown

For further information

www.dublingazette.com

01 60 10 240

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Of the 2,140 expressions of interest received, 848 first preferences were for Clonburris, 339 for Killinarden and 831 for Rathcoole.

Some 1,740 people expressed interest in affordable housing in Clonburris, 1,831 in Rathcoole, and 1,369 in Killinarden.

Those eligible applicants who are living in the SDCC area for at least 12 months are set to be first in line for the available homes, with any remaining homes offered to applicants who have a child in an educational institution within a set distance of the property.

Homes will be aimed at workers who cannot get a mortgage but do not quali-

Kari Daniels, CEO of Tesco and Denise Fitzgerald, CEO of Temple Street, pictured with Ethan Byrne, a patient of Temple Street. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

Tesco raises €5m for Temple Street

The income thresholds have yet to be set for the affordable housing builds

fy for social housing.

The income thresholds have yet to be set.

Daniel McLoughlin, chief executive of SDCC, said: “The delivery of

affordable housing is a significant but challenging element of our housing strategy.

“We hope that early engagement with poten-

tial applicants will serve us well in understanding sentiment around this issue and guide us in our decision-making.”

SDCC aims to build up to 4,500 homes across south Dublin over the coming years – more than 70% of which will be social and affordable housing, under a €1 billion investment plan.

The final breakdown of the planned five mixedtenure developments will be decided based on the final master plans approved for each site, and on the finalisation of the Government’s affordable housing scheme.

Meanwhile, a study by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) published on Tuesday revealed that Irish property prices have risen by more than any other advanced economy since the end of 2018, with Ireland the secondmost expensive market relative to incomes behind only Switzerland.

The BIS study also showed that the ratio between prices and rents was the third-highest, behind the Netherlands and Denmark.

The study read: “Among the boom/bust/recovery countries, price/income ratios are above trend in Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain, but below [trend] in the United Kingdom and the United States.”

TESCO has reached a monumental fundraising milestone, announcing that they have raised €5 million over the course of its five-year partnership with CHI at Temple Street.

The funds raised have helped the hospital to buy over 270 pieces of vital medical equipment for patients including ultrasound scanners, patient monitors and respiratory equipment.

Tesco Ireland first chose Temple Street as its Charity Partner in 2014 following a selection process guided by Tesco colleagues nationwide.

Tesco is also announcing a further extension to its partnership for one-year for 2020 and continuing with its ambition of purchasing much-needed equipment to aid the treatment of sick children with the aim of raising an additional €1 million.

Denise Fitzgerald, chief executive, Temple Street Foundation, said: “We are truly honoured that Tesco is extending our charity partnership for another year and I want to congratulate everyone involved on reaching such a momentous fundraising milestone.

“As a direct result of their support over the past five years, funds have been invested where they are needed most right across the hospital, directly benefitting sick children and their families who depend on Temple Street to provide the urgent care they need.

“Put simply, these funds have helped to save lives and for that we commend Tesco colleagues for their dedication and Tesco customers or their loyalty and generosity.”

Irish Sugarcraft Show comes to Saggart GET a slice of the action in Saggart this weekend!

The Irish Sugarcraft Show is open to all aspiring bakers, cake decorators and sugar artists, and it’s almost here.

Come enjoy the craic on February 22 and 23 at Citywest Hotel, Saggart.

Be inspired, get your hands on the latest products and sugarcraft essentials, meet your cake heroes, and welcome celebrated cake artists from around the world.

The Irish Sugarcraft Show celebrates the art of cake baking and decorating with lots of interactive edible fun and as Ireland’s largest cake show, visitors can enjoy plenty of sweet inspiration!

The Irish Sugarcraft Show is open to all, and competition entries will be expertly judged by the British Sugarcraft Guild.

Entry is €14 via Eventbrite or at the door and children go free when accompanied by an adult.

20 February 2020 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 3

COMMITMENT : LOCAL AUTHORITIES SIGN UP TO ‘BREATHELIFE’ CAMPAIGN

Pledge to bring city’s air quality to safe levels PADRAIG CONLON

MORE of Dublin’s roads could be allocated to walking, cycling and public transport as part of a pledge to improve air quality.

This week, the capital became the first Irish city to sign a commitment to meet World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality guideline values by 2030, as the capital’s Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Tom Brabazon (FF) and the mayors of the other three Dublin councils signed up to the BreatheLife campaign.

They called on all Dubliners to be ‘Climate Brave’.

There are 76 other cit-

ies, regions and countries around the world in demonstrating a commitment to bring air quality to safe levels by 2030.

Those backing the pledge want to allocate more road space to walking, cycling and public transport, move away from burning fossil fuels to heat homes, and make choosing the right options simple and economically viable.

The Mayor of South Dublin County, Cllr Vicki Casserly, welcomed the pledge to make Dublin’s air cleaner.

She said: “By signing this commitment, Dublin is joining with cities and

regions around the world in saying we want to be ‘Climate Brave’ and we want to set an example for others to follow.

“South Dublin County Council and the three other Dublin local authorities are working to meet the challenges of climate change through our climate action plans, and this is an important next step.

“Dublin is the first city in Ireland to sign up to the BreatheLife campaign but I am sure that we won’t be the last.”

Speakers at Monday’s event in the Mansion House included Dr Maria Neira from the World Health Organisation; Anne

CELBRIDGE

Tenor set to delight with Castletown House show

Cllr Shay Brennan - Cathaoirleach DLRCC, Mayor of South Dublin Cllr Vicki Casserly, Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin Tom Brabazon, Lord Mayor of Dublin Paul McAuliffe, Dr Maria Neira from WHO and Mayor of Fingal Cllr Eoghan O’Brien.

Picture: Dublin City Council

Graham from the National Transport Authority; 17-year-old climate activist Beth Doherty; Donna Gartland from Codema; and Brendan O’Brien from Dublin City Council.

Beth Doherty said that solving the crisis would require “large brave leaps”.

She said: “We need to target the key roots of the issue head-on, acting where it is needed most,

improving sustainable infrastructure, and ensuring that sustainability is accessible to all to ensure Dublin makes a just transition towards a brighter and cleaner future.

“People can make changes in their lives, including using public transport more and switching to renewable energy, where possible.

“It’s important we

ensure that is accessible and that we facilitate that.

“If there’s a better public transport infrastructure, people use fewer cars; if more sustainable food is cheaper, people use more sustainably-sourced foods.”

According to the WHO 92% of people around the world breathe air quality which falls short of the recommended guidelines.

TENOR Paul Linehan will be in Castletown House next month to perform the songs of the wellknown and popular Joe Locke.

Paul, who is a native of Cork but is now living in Kildare, has performed countrywide, from the Waterfront in Belfast to the National Concert Hall here in Dublin.

He has also performed in the US, Italy and France.

Paul is also a Feis Ceoil winner and the local Baldonnel choir have had him as their guest soloist.

He says he is looking forward to performing in Castletown House on Mother’s Day, March 22, from 3-4.30pm, Mother’s Day. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.ie or by phoning 01 628 8252.

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 20 February 2020

CLONDALKIN: PLAN INCLUDES OFFICE SPACE FOR 120 PEOPLE

Microsoft plans for new data centre PADRAIG CONLON

US TECH giant Microsoft is trying to acquire another 20 acres of land to build a data centre and 120-person office development in Clondalkin.

The land is in Grange Castle Business Park, next to its existing data centre campus, as the tech company looks to keep up with ongoing demands in the data and cloud computing sector.

Microsoft has been in discussions about buying the land with South Dublin County Council, which approved the sale of the land subject to several conditions last December.

Some of those conditions include a fee of €600,000 per acre, which is to be paid to the council and would bring in over €12m in fees.

Other conditions include the payment of 10% of the purchase price upon signing an agreement for the site, to be refunded if the development fails to receive planning permission.

FASTNews

Exhibition at Tallaght Library THE What in the World exhibition from RTE/Irish Aid opened on Tuesday in Tallaght Library. The RTE television series What in the World? has filmed in over 50 countries across the globe.

To mark that milestone, as well as almost two decades on the air, RTE and Irish Aid have commissioned a brand-new travelling exhibition entitled “50 Countries, 50 Stories”.

The new dedicated exhibition brings a wide range of stories together for the first time.

Throughout 2020, Irish audiences will have the chance to see this free exhibition as it tours libraries across the country. This month it’s the turn of Tallaght Library to host the exhibition.

The official launch will be by Mayor Casserly next Tuesday, February 25 at 11am. The exhibition is viewable until Friday February 29.

Airbnb to offer grants to initiatives Microsoft’s current data centre in the Grange Castle Business Park

They also include a subsequent planning application, to include an office building to support a staff of 120 people, in addition to the proposed data centre provision.

Upon the conditions being met, the lease shall be for a term of 999 years, subject to a rent of €500 a year, which will be reviewed every five years.

At a meeting held in July 2007, the council first noted the disposal of 18.9 acres at Grange Castle

Business Park to Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited, subject to certain terms and conditions.

Operating in Ireland since 1985, Microsoft employs over 2,200 people in this country Grange Castle, which is owned by SDCC, was selected as the location of the company’s first data centre built outside the US, with the initial development phase opening in July 2009.

It has expanded on sev-

eral occasions since opening due to the continued demand for Microsoft’s cloud services across the European region which makes Ireland an important cloud hub for Microsoft.

Through their expanded data centres, the Microsoft Cloud helps drive the digital transformation of businesses to enable growth for local economies.

The advantages of locating the data centre in

Ireland include proximity to cloud services customers, geological stability, extensive fibre optic networks, reliable and affordable energy rates and a moderate cool climate that enables free air cooling of the facility.

Grange Castle was the first location Microsoft employed outside air and direct evaporative cooling systems at scale, a practice that has since become common across most of its global data centre fleet.

AIRBNB is inviting community members in all areas of Dublin that lead grassroots, cultural and community initiatives to apply for funding as part of its new microgrants programme.

Aitiuil is a scheme designed to provide funding to cultural and community projects across Ireland. It will award grants of between €500 and €5,000 to local grassroots initiatives.

The pilot and first round of funding will take place in the first quarter of 2020, with the company shortlisting applications every three months.

Jean Hoey, public policy lead for Airbnb in Ireland, said: “Community is at the heart of everything in Ireland. That’s why we are proud to launch Aitiuil, Airbnb’s local-led microgrant programme. Grassroots initiatives are critical to preserving our culture and heritage.”

For further information on the application process, please visit Airbnb’s website.

Sinn Fein TD seeks to meet with universities over proposed rent hikes A DUBLIN Mid-West TD wants to meet with Irish universities to discuss their controversial plans to increase on-campus rents.

Sinn Fein spokesperson on Housing Eoin O Broin TD says he has written to the Presidents of University College Dublin, Dublin City University, NUI Galway, NUI Maynooth, Limerick University, Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork requesting a meeting to discuss plans to increase on-campus student accommodation charges by up to 4% per year.

Deputy O Broin said the planned increases will price many students out of university.

“Sinn Fein and other opposition parties worked hard to force a change in the legislation to ensure

that on-campus student accommodation was included in the rent pressure zone legislation,” Deputy O Broin said.

“This made it illegal for on-campus student accommodation providers to increase rents by more than the 4% cap.

“While the Universities are adhering to the letter of the law they are not recognising the spirit of the law.

Financial burden “Rising student accommodation costs are placing a huge financial burden on lower and middle income students and their families.

“Most students cannot afford any more rental increases and should not be priced out of the

university of their choice due to accommodation costs.”

Deputy O Broin hopes talks between himself and the universities happens very soon.

“We need to start a conversation about how on-campus student accommodation is financed and what can be done to lower the costs so that Universities can provide affordable, good quality accommodation,” he said.

“I am keen to meet the head of these universities as a matter for urgency to ensure that students have access to good quality accommodation.

“I have also written to student union representatives seeking a meeting to discuss their concerns about this latest flurry of rent rises.”

20 February 2020 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 20 February 2020

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Ger O’Connor and Mandy Maher

Anna Fortune and Kate Fortune

Heather MacGuinness, Dympna Lahiffe, Lorraine Donegan, Linda Blanchfield, Marie McKeon and Sinead O’Riordan. Pictures: Aishling Conway

Masquerade Ball in aid of Irish Injured Jockeys Chris McManus and Lisa McGowan

Conor Brophy, Ciara Corcoran and Eoin Corcoran

O

N Friday, January 31, Palmerstown House Estate hosted the inaugural Masquerade Ball in Palmerstown Manor House with funds going to the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund.

Attendees enjoyed five star dining, live band, followed by a performance of opera by Matthew Gilsenan of The Celtic Tenors.

Caoimhe Jameson, Orlaith Higgins, Aoife Brady, Sarah Coller and Claire Mangan

Michael Higgins, manager of Irish Injured Jockeys, said: “Huge thanks to Palmerstown House Estate for hosting the masquerade Ball on Friday night in the Manor House, in aid of Irish Injured Jockeys, we would personally like to thank Luke Comer, Linda Blanchfield and all the staff for a truly memorable evening.”

Dympna Lahiffe, Lorraine Donegan, Marie McKeon and Sinead O’Riordan

20 February 2020 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

CLONDALKIN: CUTE LITTLE COLOMBIAN GOLDEN RETRIEVER SET TO BE THE GRAND MARSHAL

St Patrick’s Day parade a real case of Puppy Love this year PADRAIG CONLON pconlon@dublingazette.com

THE dog days are over for a cute little Colombian Golden Retriever who is set to be the Grand Marshal of this year’s Clondalkin St Patrick’s Day Parade.

When local couple Fiona Barry and Keith Ward set off on their dream trip around the world they never imagined they’d bring an extra special friend home with them.

Ke ith explained to

Dublin Gazette how their dog Uimhir a Do has been chosen to do honours on Paddy’s Day. “ We ’r e d e l i g h t e d , along with our gorgeous Colombian pup Uimhir a Do (or Uimhy) to be the Grand Marshal of this year’s Clondalkin St Patrick’s day parade,” he said.

“This honour not only gives Uimhy a great day out, but also gives us an opportunity to highlight animal cruelty both in Ireland and abroad.

“For those who aren’t

familiar with our story, Uimhy was rescued from a glass box, without food and water in a cruel pet shop in Bogota, Colombia in October.

“We discovered both her and her sister while backpacking through South America.

“Sadly due to their prior mistreatment both of them contracted the deadly Parvo virus.

“Uimhy’s sister, Gracie, sadly didn’t survive, however with the help of so many generous donations, many from

Clondalkin, we were able to get Uimhy back to Ireland. “ S h e n ow l e a d s a happy and safe life in Clondalkin with us.

“Again, we’re overwhelmed that Uimhy gets to represent the town of Clondalkin, a town she now calls home.

“Thank you Councillor Francis Timmons and to the other members of the St. Patrick’s Day committee for their support.”

Cllr Francis Timmons says he’s already looking forward to next month’s

Keith Ward and Fiona Barry with Colombian Golden Retriever Uimhy

Jail for man who shot innocent bystander A MAN who shot an innocent bystander in the chest when he fired a shotgun in a west Dublin breaker’s yard has been jailed for five years.

James Gallagher (33) of Cushlawn Park, Tallaght, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm and recklessly discharging a firearm at Cullen’s Yard, Greenhill Road, Walkinstown on August 4, 2018.

Garda Aidan Devenney told Diana Stuart BL, prosecuting, that John O’Connor was at the scrapyard to buy car parts when he saw a man holding a single-barrel shotgun.

This man discharged the gun.

O’Connor didn’t realise he had been shot but he was knocked to the ground after receiving multiple gunshot pellet wounds.

Gallagher and another man left

the scene on foot and a witness then saw a car driving away at speed. Mr O’Connor was not the intended target of the discharged shotgun, the garda said.

The victim rang for an ambulance and was brought to Tallaght Hospital. Another man also received minor injuries but did not need to attend hospital.

The firearm was never found.

Gda Devenney said the shooting related to the sale of a red Seat Ibiza the day before and that CCTV had identified Gallagher at this incident.

Gardaí also recovered a pair of discarded tracksuit bottoms that contained a phone linked to Gallagher.

Gallagher has 42 previous convictions, including convictions for theft, criminal damage, possession of drugs for sale or supply and road traffic

offences. He has two children.

Ciaran O’Loughlin SC, defending, said that his client was one of eight children and had left school at 14 and taken up work.

He said Gallagher had begun to use heroin at an early age, but had since become clean of drugs.

He said his client was “deeply sorry and apologetic” for his crimes.

Judge Elma Sheahan said the reckless firing of a shotgun in a public place was egregious and unacceptable. She noted Gallagher has made significant and successful efforts to get clean of drug addiction.

She imposed a number of concurrent sentences, resulting in an operative sentence of five years.

The sentence runs from December 4, 2018 when Gallagher went into custody.

festivities. ‘’The public have spoken, and this year have voted for Uimhir a Do to lead the 2020 Parade with his owners former FM 104 radio host and Clondalkin local Keith

Ward and his partner Fiona Barry,” he said.

“They follow in the steps of Mary Kennedy, Mary Dardis, Colm Gavin, Gemma and Philip Carr, this year’s parade has already nearly 30 entries.

“I am delighted we will have two top bands - Clondalkin youth band and the Clondalkin Pipe Band.”

For more info on Uimhy’s story, checkout @ blanktrails on instagram.

8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 20 February 2020

LAURALYNN : FAMILY ACCOMMODATION OPENS AT CHILDREN’S HOSPICE

TV star opens revamped family houses PADRAIG CONLON

CELEBRITY architect and TV favourite Dermot Bannon recently opened the newly refurbished family accommodation at LauraLynn’s Children’s Hospice.

Dermot visited the southside charity last week to cut the red tape on the new rooms at Ireland’s only children’s hos-

pice.

LauraLynn has four family bedrooms alongside a living space and kitchen area allowing entire families to book in for short stays at the hospice.

T h e s e s h o r t s tays allow the child using the service, their parents and any siblings they may have to enjoy quality time together making

memories as a family.

This specialised family accommodation was in need of some improvements, as it was over eight-years-old and a little outdated.

With no dedicated State funding however a renovation project was not something that seemed possible.

This year alone over €4.6m of LauraLynn’s

Dermot Bannon at the official opening with Liam Ryan and his mum Niamh. Picture: Andres Poveda Photography

annual running costs will need to be met via fundraised income.

The chance to do the much-needed refurbishment came about when Chris Mackin, one of the owners of Malmac construction, offered to help out if there was any building work needed.

B e l i n d a Ro h a n o f Belinda Rohan interiors also came on board to

offer her services free of charge alongside Malmac construction.

Through the amazing work of the two generous groups, the entire project came at no cost to the charity, who provide vital services to those who are ill.

The regeneration of the space has a direct impact on those who use the service.

Liam Ryan, 11, has been going to LauraLynn for four years.

His mum Niamh said that Laura Lynn is like “a home away from home” for the family.

“It’s a lovely place for our family to come knowing that Liam is being minded and loved and is safe and happy,” she said.

“We get to just be

Mam, Dad and brother as all of Liam’s medical and care needs are looked after by the lovely staff.

“But LauraLynn is so much more than that.

“We all feel minded as the fantastic staff think of our whole family and this project has created such beautiful relaxing spaces for all of us to rest and feel so refreshed after our stay.”

62 speed cameras added to roads SYLVIA POWNALL

SPEED CAMERAS have been installed at 62 new locations across Dublin as part of a nationwide Garda crack down on reckless drivers.

There are now a total of 291 zones in the capital which can be tracked via GPS navigation and are also listed on the Garda website (www.garda.ie).

The National Roads Policing Bureau compiled the list based on road collisions from 2016 to 2018 with 575 zones across the.

Superintendent Tony Lonergan of the GNRPB

said the removal of cameras from zones shows a change in driver behaviour, and that the new zones are targeting a small number of people who continue to drive in excess of speed limits.

Among the new zones are a 3.4km stretch of the R139 at Clonshaugh near Dublin Airport where two fatal crashes and two serious crashes were recorded between 2016 and 2018.

Go Safe zones are also in operation along 1.4km of the St Peter’s Road from Walkinstown Cross to Whitehall Road, and the Hartstown Road in D15.

The 20 most dangerous stretches of road in Ireland are all in Dublin according to analysis with the highest number of accidents on the R111 between Islandbridge and Irishtown.

In a three-year period 118 collisions were recorded including two fatal crashes and 18 which were classed as serious.

The second riskiest road is a 5.4km stretch of the R148 between the Chapelizod bypass along the Liffey quays to the Customs House. Despite having a 30kph speed limit in places, it was the scene of

99 collisions including 17 serious crashes.

The third most dangerous road is a 21.4km s t re tc h o f t h e M 5 0 between junction 3 (M1 interchange) and junction 11 (N81-Tallaght) where a total of 116 crashes were also recorded.

Superintendant Lonergan said: “We urge drivers to be fully aware of the posted speed limit and drive within the speed limit for the duration of their journey. Speed kills, help save lives.”

The full list of locations can be viewed at www. garda.ie/roadspolicing

20 February 2020 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

NATIONAL EVENT: CELEBRATING THE NATION’S TREASURES

FASTNews

Kids make a splash with top Water Babies honours

Rory Dignam and Justine Doswell at the launch of the St Patrick’s Festival programme. Picture: Julien Behal Photography

St Patrick’s Festival programme revealed RACHEL D’ARCY

THE programme for the National St Patrick’s Festival has been unveiled, with the theme this year set to be SEODA – Treasures from Ireland.

This year’s festival will celebrate Ireland’s rich heritage with a worldclass programme showcasing both contemporary and traditional Ireland over five great days and nights, from March 12 to 17.

This year’s festivities will see dozens of fun-filled family experiences, massive outdoor events, specially commissioned collaborative performances, a myriad

of musical treats and the magnificent national St Patrick’s Festival parade.

There will also be an expanded four-day festival village and food market at Merrion Square.

Celebration Susan Kirby, chief executive, said: “St Patrick’s Festival is one of the world’s largest cultural celebrations and one of the most important and powerful tools that Brand Ireland has in promoting our country.

“This year’s festival will present today’s culture creators and celebrate who and what our contemporary national treasures are, as well as

taking pride in our traditions.”

This years’ festival will offer a richly diverse programme, including ABAIR – a remarkable programme of performances celebrating Ireland’s oral traditions, art exhibitions, poetry and literary events, the all-new Festival After Dark club series, hidden Dublin tours and trails, an exciting Port to City treasure hunt, Ceili Mor, and so much more.

Artists and performers set to take part in the diverse 2020 festival programme include Lisa Hannigan, Annie Mac, Kojaque, Soule, Denise Chaila, Crash Ensemble,

M a n go X M a t h M a n , Dublin Gospel Choir, and many more.

Orla Carroll, director of product development at the National Tourism Development Authority, said: “We are delighted to see some of Ireland’s national treasures highlighted at this year’s St Patrick’s Festival.

“Festivals are crucial to the tourism sector and play an important role in both attracting overseas visitors and delivering brilliant visitor experiences.”

The full St Patrick’s Festival 2020 programme is now available over on the festival website, stpatricksfestival.ie.

Sharpen your digital skills with help from Google’s full-day workshops GOOGLE will start its 2020 Digital Garage workshops this week at its Dublin headquarters.

Starting on Friday, February 28, the workshops will include expert advice and tips on how to scale a business for international growth, and embrace opportunities to reach and engage with global customers online.

Digital Garage is part of Google’s

global business support initiative, Grow with Google, that aims to help people and businesses acquire the skills needed to embrace the opportunities that technology presents.

The full-day workshop will feature mentoring and talks focused on digital skills highlighted by business as areas of concern.

Some of the main areas of focus

on the day will include how to utilise Google tools effectively in order to plan and grow a business internationally.

Last year, more than 1,000 companies took part in Grow with Google Digital Garage workshops around the country. Digital Garage is free to attend but anyone wishing to attend must register at: https://g.co/irelandgaragef2f.

WATER Babies, a baby and toddler swimming school, has announced that 11 inspiring children from around Ireland have been honoured at its annual Water Babies Little Heroes awards ceremony in Blanchardstown.

The school, which celebrated its tenth anniversary in Ireland last year, says the children – all of whom have been challenged by accidents, serious illness and special needs – have

greatly benefited from learning to swim and being in water.

The school said “many of [the] Water Babies Little Heroes have shown an incredible amount of strength and bravery, considering their early years”.

Dublin Water Babies Little Heroes winners for 2020 included Blu-Levi Harris (1), Finglas; James MacNeill (4), Killiney (pictured above), and Ciara Gannon (1), Leopardstown.

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 20 February 2020

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK The Under 9s Team are Katie Meade, Harley Cullen Walsh, Robyn Stack, Amelia Walshe, Keevah Kavanagh, Dylan Harkin, Leah Fitzpatrick, Hannah Brady and Jia Ni Xie and (inset above) Amy Macken & Mollyanna Ennis

Under 12s Team. Emily Moroney, Emma Savin, Heather Miller, Elisa Razoare, Aoibhinn Maguire, Cillian McCarthy, Caoimhe Leslie, Carla Venet, Maeve Ruddy, Ava Mullan, Emily Derrien, Lauren Brady, Sofia Kazlou, Lilymai Clancy, Luize Brengmane, Molly McCarthy.

Huge haul for Westside

D

UBLIN’S WESTSIDE Performing Arts Competitive Dance Team headed up north to compete in numerous styles of Dance including Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Tap, Jazz and Ballet at the 5678 Elite Dance Competition.

The standard over the weekend was extremely high with competing teams arriving from all over Ireland to participate in the weekend event at Belfast’s Europa Hotel.

After a tiring weekend the club arrived back in Lucan at midnight on Sunday with a huge haul of trophies and medals.

Westside are now looking forward to the remainder of the Competitive Dance Season with their next competition in March at Tallaght’s Civic Theatre.

Ranging from Under 12, Westside Performing Arts Competitive Dance Team have a number of different teams and levels right up to its successful senior team.

20 February 2020 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Moya Doherty, John McColgan, Amy Huberman and Brian O’Driscoll. Pictures: Kieran Harnett

Tara Howley and Haley Richardson

Sophie and Louis Copeland

Julian Benson and Simon Murphy

Susan Ginnity and Ryan Sheridan

Norah Casey and Val Quinn

Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show I

Kathleen Watkins

Helen and Paddy Cole

T’S 25 years since Riverdance first performed at the Point Theatre, and to celebrate they put on five incredible shows at the same venue.

The shows received a rapturous reception and standing ovations. They played to a packed audience with many friends, family, past colleagues and well known faces in

attendance. There was such excitement as the show began, with each number receiving rapturous applause.

When the iconic seven-minute Riverdance number brought the first part of the show to a finish the audience leapt to their feet in a standing ovation. The finale of the show brought a further standing ovation and

thunderous applause before a special treat was unveiled for the audience.

Associate director Padraic Moyles welcomed on stage many of the original cast who performed on that night 25 years ago and then introduced Jean Butler who had travelled from the US to be there for this special event and say a few words.

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE 20 February 2020

RETAIL: HARDWARE GIANT BRINGS ITS ‘CUSTOMER CENTRED’ APPROACH TO IRELAND

Screwfix have customer service and employee satisfaction nailed on CÓILÍN DUFFY cduffy@dublingazette.com

WORK doesn’t always have to be a chore, and for the people employed by Screwfix at their recently opened stores in Sandyford and Swords it’s certainly not, as the 650store UK operation, with over 12,000 employees over the pond brings its ‘customer centred’ approach to Ireland, with two other new stores in Ennis and Waterford also.

While Screwfix’s ‘bricks and mortar’ setup is new to Irish shores, they’ve had a presence here for the past five years, through their online business at Screwfix. ie, and have firmly established themselves in the Irish market.

For those who don’t know Screwfix, they are effectively an Argos for the Trade industry, as their CEO John Mewett explains.

“There’s a lot of similarities,” he told Dublin Gazette.

“I think one of the really interesting things about Screwfix is that it’s really w h e re t h e d i g i ta l m o d e comes together with the bricks and mortar model.

“Our stores are like a warehouse, we’ve got 10,000 products in every store.

“Somebody can go online, or on their mobile and check the stock and see what’s in store right then, and then pick it up in one minute so it’s really convenient.”

Mewett says it’s an exciting time for the company.

“We are really excited to come to Ireland. We’ve been in the UK for many years expanding, with over 650 stores.

“We’ve had a website in Ireland for the last five years, which has been hugely successful.

“It was really the demand of our customers. Our website is great, but it only had deliveries three days a week into

Actor and television presenter Simon Delaney with Screwfix staff at the launch of their new store in Sandyford

Ireland.

“We know for customers on the job, time is money for them. If they want to get the job done, they need to get

well.

“We have four stores here at the moment, and we’ll open more stores this year.

We see the potential to have

work done now, so that’s why we’ve opened these stores.

“It’s a great market Ireland.

There’s a lot of similarities, but also a lot of differences and we think Screwfix will work really well here.

“Also a lot of our customers already know the brand very

up to 40 stores right across Ireland.

“We’ve opened a store a week for the last seven years, which means there’s great opportunities for our colleagues – for our sales assistants to become supervisors, and for our supervisors

“

We know for customers on the job, time is money for them. If they want to get the job done, they need to get work done now

to become store managers, which is one of the reasons why our colleagues really like working for us.

“The key thing is that they like helping people. Our customers are busy – for them time is money, so for them it’s about getting their goods and getting them back on the job as quickly as possible. That’s the real focus of Screwfix.

“Our job is to help our customers get their jobs done quickly. I think what it’s about is having the right products for our customers, that they can get, and get back on the job. For them time is money.”

Paul Maher is Store manager of the new branch in Sandyford, and has 20 years of retail experience.

He started off his work life

as a General Assistant and a Department Manager with Superquinn, and knows all about a customer service focus – something Superquinn founder Feargal Quinn championed.

“I worked for Superquinn when I was younger,” he said.

“Screwfix have kept the same culture and it’s been amazing. The culture is the greatest thing here, and it is part of the support and training – your development and how you can step up. “ We p ro m i s e o u r c o l leagues what’s ahead of them if they give it 100%, and they follow through with that.”

“A lot of customers know the Screwfix brand already.

It’s only a stones throw from their house now, and that’s the best thing, that they can

come in and see what they are buying – they aren’t just buying online in the dark!”

Maher has had a busy time of late, and just four hours into his first day as manager his partner had a baby girl.

The Screwfix team were really supportive, and even made a special blanket with the Screwfix logo for the new arrival!

For anyone who passed through the doors of Screwfix’s Irish stores at the weekend, there was a chance to pick up a prize by guessing the number of screws in a jar.

Well Screwfit have certainly ‘nailed it’ oncustomer service, and a happy place to work in for their employees.

It looks like they’ll become a household name in Ireland for many years.

20 February 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

TRAVEL P17

MOTORING P20

DUBLIN

MUSIC P16

MAGAZINE

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS TAKE YOU ON A TOUR OF THE NEWS AND EVENTS ACROSS THE CITY AND COUNTY

SAY ‘YELLOW’ TO A GREAT FUNDRAISER PRESENTER Kamal Ibrahim, Irish Cancer Society (ICS) Daffodil Day fundraisers Veitch Smyth and Margaret Wallace, and the chief

executive of the ICS, Averil Power are pictured at the recent launch of the ICS’s upcoming Daffodil Day, in partnership with Boots Ireland, in

the City West Hotel.

Taking place next month on Friday, March 27, the day will once again see the popular and biggest

national ICS fundraiser supporting people affected by cancer.

As well as supporting the day and the many ICS volunteers that will

be out and about, you can find out how you can raise crucial funds for cancer patients and their families at www.cancer.ie. Picture: Andres Poveda

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 20 February 2020

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

QUIRKY MATTERS

DUBLIN BITS & BOBS

Runs to peak your interest

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

C O N TA C T S Managing Director: Michael McGovern mmcgovern@dublingazette.com Commercial Director: Liz Ferris lferris@dublingazette.com Group Editor: Cóilín Duffy cduffy@dublingazette.com Deputy Group Editor & Travel Editor: Shane Dillon sdillon@dublingazette.com Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@dublingazette.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile jmaile@dublingazette.com Picture Editor: Alison O’Hanlon picturedesk@dublingazette.com Online & Style Editor: Rachel D’Arcy rdarcy@dublingazette.com Advertising Sales:

01 - 6010240 sales@dublingazette.com

FIND US ON

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

LUCY Gratton, of John West Ireland, and Bridget Gavin, of Gaelforce, are pictured launching the John West Gaelforce Trilogy at Bray Head.

The innovative event is comprises three 10k trail runs through the scenic settings of Bray Head (April 4), Kippure Mountain (August 8) and Howth Summit (October 10). Those who complete the trilogy will receive an exclusive three-part medal, with John West Ireland encouraging runners of all abilities to take part, take in some of the superb scenery around the capital, and get some great, healthy exercise in the process.

For entry details, see gaelforceevents.com. Picture: Fintan Clarke

Making history with Cherokee Nation seeds Can might cost an music at the Oscars may help to save us all art critic $20,000 GALWAY-BORN conductor Eimear Noone became the first female conductor in Oscar history at the ceremony in Los Angeles earlier this month.

Speaking in advance of the Oscars, Noone said she “got a phone call from my dear friend, music director of the Oscars, and that was it, really”.

She added: “It was just amazing – I do 40-50 concerts a year and this is extraordinary, it’s special and amazing. I can’t wait to get to the music part.

The red carpet is terrifying.”

During the ceremony, Noone conducted music from five nominated movies, including songs from Toy Story 4 and Frozen 2.

After her performance, Noone received heaps of praise online with author Roma Downey tweeting: “So proud and thrilled for my friend Eimear! she became the first woman to conduct the Oscar orchestra tonight in a truly stunning performance! Go girl!”

THE Cherokee Nation will be the first US tribe to donate seeds to the Global Seed Vault on the island of Svalbard near the North Pole.

The vault, which is in its 12th year of operation, is designed as an insurance policy against doomsday scenarios that would force humanity to repopulate various plant and crop species from scratch.

Many peoples around the world have donated to the bank, and later this month the Cherokee Nation will count itself among them – and become the first such tribe to do so.

The tribe has agreed to donate samples of nine ancient cultivars — seeds from plants or crops that pre-date the European colonisation of the US — that often represent a cultural legacy for many indigenous tribes, with the Cherokee Nation welcoming contributing part of its legacy to the global project.

A MEXICAN art critic accidentally destroyed an art installation worth $20,000 at the Zona Maco art fair in Mexico City.

Avelina Lesper accidentally shattered the installation when she placed a soft drink can near it to show her disdain for the piece: a sheet of glass with a stone, soccer ball and other random objects suspended inside.

The piece was by Gabriel Rico, a Mexican artist who contrasts man-made objects, such as sporting balls, with natural items, such as rocks and feathers.

“It was like the work heard my comment and felt what I thought of it,” Lesper said.

The studio where the piece was housed said Lesper’s actions were entirely “unprofessional” and would be pursuing her for the cost of the piece.

DOG OF THE WEEK DUBLIN Gazette Newspapers has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs.

This week’s dog of the week is Enzo, an extremely affectionate three-yearold crossbreed that just loves rubs and cuddles.

He is instantly friendly with everyone he meets but can be a bit picky with other dogs, preferring doggie pals which are calm and don’t interact too much.

In his former life, he was quite the accomplished escape artist, so his future adopters will need to be mindful of this and keep a very close eye on him.

Although his sweet, friendly nature would make him an ideal family pet, he is quite strong and could potentially knock over very small children in his enthusiasm.

If you have room in your heart and home for Enzo then please contact Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www.dogstrust.ie.

You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE. (Remember: Always have your dog on a lead when in public.)

enzo

20 February 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

DUBLIN FEATURES Canada

Peru

Prestigious win for Cong hotel with a top US travel guide award A MAYO hotel has made a small bit of Irish travel history by being the only – and first – Irish hotel to be included in the latest Forbes Travel Guide’s Star Rating winners’ list.

Ashford Castle achieved a maximum ranking in the annual

Go west to find bucket-list bliss SHANE DILLON

Travel Editor IF YOU’RE yearning to get away on an epic trip, Travel Department and TD active Holidays have a couple of spectacular ‘bucket list’ trips to really put a spring in your step (even as Spring at home stays dour and dull).

Canada First up, and Irish holidaymakers need little introduction to Canada, with the country’s incredible scenery and vibrant, welcoming cities drawing us ‘across the pond’ in ever greater numbers.

If you’re looking for something a little different from a Canadian holiday, a magical 10-day trip will bring you through the wonders of the Rocky Mountains and western Canada.

The busy trip across ‘the Great White North’ encompasses a range of incredible natural attractions, bringing you to some of the most scenic parts of Canada – and to some of the country’s famouslyfriendly citizens.

You’ll travel in comfort through snow-covered highlands and visit glaciers, rushing rivers and crystalline lakes, gaping canyons and valleys, thundering waterfalls and steaming hot springs.

The trip will take you through cowboy country and Gold Rush territory, where you’ll get a sense of the country’s rich history and dynamic spirit of her citizens.

You’ll also see the stunning National Parks of British Columbia and Alberta, with some of the most spectacular alpine scenery you’ll ever see.

It won’t be all wild wilderness and breathtaking sights – you’ll also explore vibrant, cosmopolitan Vancouver.

P r i c e s s t a r t f ro m €2,599pp for 10 nights, including flights, transfers, B&B accommodation, and excursions with expert local guides (admission to National Parks included), departing May, June, August and September.

See www.traveldepartment.ie, or call 01 637 1600.

Peru Moving on – way, way on – and it’s hard to think of somewhere more fascinating than picturesque Peru.

Peru has been attracting seasoned travellers for centuries, but the past couple of decades have seen it really explode onto the tourism trail with its unique blend of ancient culture and gorgeous, jaw-dropping scenery and

ruins.

One to mark for near the end of the year – due to permit logistics, making this one to book 6-8 months in advance – The Inca Trail 14-night tour of Peru will blend one of the world’s best-known hikes with a truly singular experience.

Every step along the way will be bringing you to and through some of the world’s most stunning landscapes.

On the trip, you’ll experience stunning mountain scenery, dense cloudforests, subtropical jungle and a captivating mix of Inca ruins and tunnels as you spend four days trekking towards the magical UNESCO World Heritage site of Machu Picchu, and its captivating mountain city ruins.

Not for the faint-hearted, adventurous travellers will be rewarded with the trip of a lifetime, with a small tour group staying in a mix of hotels and overnight camps.

It’s on offer from €3,699pp for 14 nights including flights, transfers, B&B/half-board accommodation, and excursions with an expert local guide (including Inca Trail permit), departing on November 6.

See www.tdactiveholidays.ie, or call 01 637 1633.

honours list, and joins an elite group of luxury hotels around the world that have earned a Five-Star Forbes Travel Guide (FTG) ranking, with the hotel the only one in Ireland to be selected for the 2020 Star Rating Guide.

FTG referenced how the hotel

in Cong had achieved global gold standards in hospitality, and particularly admired the hotel’s staff for their dedication to every guest experience.

See www.ashfordcastle.com and forbestravelguide.com/ award-winners for more.

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 20 February 2020

DUBLIN ENTERTAINMENT

WELL WORTH A LISTEN

Stockton’s Wing Musically in a good place FORMED in 1977 by a group of All-Ireland winning musicians, Stockto n ’ s Wi n g a l m o s t immediately stepped away from their pre-band Trad roots by abandoning staples.

The Ennis act, named after a Bruce Springsteen lyric, went on to produce more than a dozen wellloved albums that explore the boundaries of guitarpop and rock.

Mike Hanrahan was there for it all, and now stands at the heart of the band’s revival.

The vocalist has spent serious time away from music, becoming a high-

 JAMES HENDICOTT

end chef and teaching in a cookery school after an extended period learning on a job miles from his prior, musical life.

Today, Stockton’s Wing return with a retrospective release, named after their hit single, Beautiful Affair, released on major label Universal.

“It was quite a nostalgic process, listening back to all the albums and thinking of times during recordings,” Han-

rahan says.

“As we progressed, we got more into the writing aspect of it, being more creative.

It was good looking back at those phases and sounds that the band went through, and remembering the musicians who came and went.

“It was very transient, [but] there was always that central Stockton’s Wing sound.

“Looking back, we did okay – we left a good mark behind us.”

Having started out w i t h a Tra d - re l a te d sound, but playing very

much their own music, Stockton’s Wing initially riled the purists.

It was a different time, musically, and Hanrahan never let it bother him.

“We always figured that for every purist we lost, we gained a lot more young people who just wanted the music,” he laughs.

“I never think about the people who gave out to us.

It’s more about those we enjoyed and had a good time with.

“I remember I discovered Doolin when I left school, and back then it was really a hive for new thinking.

“There was a real air of protest, so it was a good time to start with music.

“People were open to different things, and bands like Horseslips, my greatest influence, were blazing a trail.

“It’s the same now with people taking Irish music onto a different level.

Who are we to tell them not to?”

There’s not just retrospective material to be examined, though, with Stockton’s Wing back in

the studio themselves.

“We have a live album recorded with [a] new band,” Hanrahan tells me.

“They’re young, exciting musicians and we’re writing tunes again.

“I hope the live album will be out later in the year, and the next step after that is to go back into the studio. We’ve been reuniting on and off all our lives, and this year we just decided to return.”

“We’ve been lucky to get the support of Universal, who have taken on all

our music,” he continues.

“They’ve been a great support, because the Irish music industry isn’t the best – it has a real village mentality and doesn’t spread its wings.

“To have someone with the might of Universal come in behind you, we really appreciate it.

“We get a really positive energy. These are happy days for us, we’ve got offers coming in for shows that weren’t there a couple of months ago.

“We’ve got offers in America, and in Eng-

GOINGOUTOUT

land. We’ll see what happens when we’ve taken a breath, and then go back into it.

“I went into a whole different world as a professional cook, hiding away in the steam.

“When I came back out, there were no [music] singles anymore.

“It’s all changed, but what’s nice about Ireland is there still is autonomy for DJs and stuff like that.

We’re in a good place.”

Stockton’s Wing’s Beautiful Affair: A Retrospective is out now.

FEBRUARY 20 (THURSDAY)

Cavetown @ The Academy, SOLD OUT Kudos @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €6

The Magnus King Band @ Whelan’s, SOLD OUT Jim McHugh @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €9

FEBRUARY 21 (FRIDAY)

FEBRUARY 24 (MONDAY)

Richard Dawson @ Whelan’s, SOLD OUT Turnstiles @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €10 Cavetown @ The Academy, SOLD OUT Aoife Nessa Frances @ The Grand Social, €12

FEBRUARY 22 (SATURDAY)

Reverend and the Makers @ The Academy Green Room, €22 Sprints @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), SOLD OUT

FEBRUARY 23 (SUNDAY)

Kaiser Chiefs + Razorlight @ 3Arena, €50

Anavitoria @ Whelan’s, SOLD OUT

FEBRUARY 25 (TUESDAY)

Saint Jhn @ The Academy, €25 Imar @ Whelan’s, €15 The Growlers @ The Button Factory, €24

FEBRUARY 26 (WEDNESDAY)

Lennon Stella @ The Olympia Theatre, €26 The Memories @ Vicar Street, €35 Garret Baker @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €10

20 February 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

FOOD&DRINK

Choc and awe at a real life chocolate factory

ALISON O’HANLON

FORGET about midterm distractions, mums and dads - the Butlers Chocolate Factory Tour Experience is full term fun - in fact it’s nothing short of wonderful!

We donned our white coats and blue hair nets and immediately felt like Willy Wonka’s lucky golden ticket winners -but without a Veruca Salt in sight!

Our tour guide Robyn was so welcoming and friendly, handing out lots of chocolate to sample along the way.

Starting with a short movie and self guided Museum visit before moving on to take in the factory floor where we learnt when it comes to their chocolate they are zero waste, each part of the tour was interactive and

informative.

For the final part of the tour we were brought into the decorating room and it was here the magic really began - it was Choctastic and all of the children in our group were in heaven.

Our chocolatier Carla greeted us with mini hot Butlers treats - honestly the chocolate never stopped flowing. She was so entertaining, and really involved the kids in the chocolate making demonstration and decorating process.

Hands were covered in melted chocolate and it’s possible more chocolate may have made it into my children’s mouths than onto the moulds to be decorated, but we still came home with some fabulous looking chocolate hearts and most of all, huge smiles on our faces.

Anna and Heidi receive their Butlers Chocolate Experience certificates. Pictures: Alison O’Hanlon

Manor Farm receives top prize at awards IRISH chicken producer Manor Farm has won the IFSA Best Sustainable Food Product Award 2020 at The Irish Foodservice Suppliers Alliance (IFSA) awards, which took place last week, at the Citywest Conference Centre, Dublin.

Manor Farm won the award for their ‘Farmers to Market’ Free-Range Chicken Thigh Burgers.

Farmers to Market is open to producers and suppliers with food products produced in a manner that simultaneously protects and enhances the natural environment and the local community.

Matthew O’Gorman of Manor Farm said: “We are delighted to have won the Best Sustainable Food Product Award this year.

“We have been working alongside Farmers to Market to ensure the best quality product was produced without compromising on our sustainability goals.

“We are incredibly proud to have our efforts recognised at the ISFA’s, it motivates us to continue to strive to have the best quality poultry on the Irish market”.

Battle of the baristas EARLIER this month, Bewley’s Cafe on Grafton Street was the scene of hissing steam wands and luxurious aromas as the country’s six best baristas battled it out for a top title.

The Annual Barista Championship is designed to showcase the talent, passion and expertise of Ireland’s greatest coffee brewers.

Ravi Kuma Soniah from Dublin was named runner-up alongside the overall winner Joanna Tomaszewska.

Ravi who is a barista at Oracle, Eastpoint Business Park, impressed the judges with his signatures drinks which included his own creation ‘An Exotic Twist’.

The judging panel was led by renowned coffee artist Elvis Seivijus Matiejunas, sensory judges Wojciech Tysler, Karen Anders, Ali Hulley and Hugh Healy and technical judge Gary Hollywood.

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 20 February 2020

FRESH IDEAS FOR YOUR HOME AND WARDROBE HOME & STYLE

HOME & STYLE

Be mindful with new clothing collection  Rachel D’Arcy, Style Editor LOVE ISLAND star Molly-Mae Hague is back with a new season edit for PrettyLittleThing, with 100% of the profits going to a mental health charity.

The online fashion brand has teamed up with the influencer for the ‘off-duty edit’, with all profits from the collection going to MIND charity.

MIND provides advice and support to help to empower

anyone experiencing mental health problems. The charity also campaigns to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding surrounding mental health.

Molly-Mae’s new collection was designed with serving up off-duty LA vibes in mind, with pieces including deliciously soft brushed loungewear, figure-hugging jumpsuits, essential oversized tees and everything in between.

The collection also contains killer thigh-high boots and a fresh jumper dress, for a relaxed yet luxe look.

Whether you’re hanging with friends, or just want to switch up your wardrobe, the inclusive collection aims to help you emulate a cool Californian vibe.

There are 48 killer styles on offer, available in sizes 6 – 26 with prices starting from €15.

The new Molly-Mae edit is available from PrettyLittleThing now.

20 February 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

FRESH IDEAS FOR YOUR HOME AND WARDROBE

HOME & STYLE

Find out what your decor says about you EVER NOTICE how we might dress in darker colours in winter than we do in spring?

Well, if you think your clothes reflect you, imagine what your home décor says!

It’s true what they say: when our words fail, our interior speaks for us.

EZ Living Furniture has shed light on what we are saying, or in fact, not saying by the décor we choose for our homes.

1. ARE YOU BOLD? If your home is surrounded by more primary than neutral colours, it’s safe to say you like expressing yourself. You’re confident, loud and proud.

If you’re drawn to more neutral tones and pastel shades, it could show that you enjoy the little things in life and refrain from being the centre of attention.

2. ARE YOU A PEOPLE PERSON? The amount of seating areas in your home can show how social you are.

If you have multiple seating areas and even back-up stools, you could be the life of the party. If you have minimal seating, you are more introverted in nature and find yourself recharging in your own company.

(L-R) Dunnes Stores: Easy dressing check shirt, €12 - €14 Wheelchair accessible jacket, €20-€22 Easy Dressing long sleeve top, €8-10 Easy Dressing star print top, €8 - €10 Easy Dressing button joggers, €12 - €14

3. ARE YOU UP THE WALLS? When people have different artwork or photos on their wall, it shows they welcome change.

This love for change is further heightened when you’re comfortable with changing up your wall’s décor.

4. ARE YOU BARELY THERE? When a person is afraid of committment, this is often expressed by their lack of furniture.

When they haven’t planted roots in either a job, relationship, or even house, there may be a lack of sofas, artwork, or accessories. When observing someone’s home, look for the bare necessities.

5. ARE YOU DRIVEN? When a person is more goal-oriented they may opt for more of a theme-based interior. You have drive and ambition that helps you keep up with the latest trends.

However, if your home is less themefocused and more natural, this may indicate that you’re more of a “go with the flow” type of person.

For more, see ezlivingfurniture.ie.

Brand new beauty

 Rachel D’Arcy, Style Editor

A NEW SEASON means new makeup, and new makeup trends.

It can be hard on your pocket to keep up with the ever-changing beauty world, but cult beauty brand Essence’s new collection ensures on-trend products at a price that won’t break the bank.

With Spring and Summer calling for products that are soothing and light on the skin, as well as producing an effervescent glow, we’ve selected some of our top picks from Essence’s Spring/ Summer collection.

All products are available in Penneys and pharmacies now.

Witch Side eyeshadow palette – Become a good witch – or a bad witch – with this new eyeshadow palette that promises shimmery shades and a punch of pigment. The palette offers two colour combinations; a lighter and a darker side. The 15 matte and shimmery shades and metallic flake nuances help to create both wearable and breathtakingly mystical eye make-up styles.

Price: €11.95 Bye Bye Panda Eyes! mascara – Get the drama without any pesky smudging. Under-eye blackness after a long day can be a pain, but this new vegan mascara promises absolutely no smudging. It tints the lashes, but mystically also claims to wrap itself around the lashes like a gentle film to ensure product stays in place. The

best part? No crumbling or clumping, and it’s easy to remove with just warm water!

Price: €4.40

Choose Your Glow! Highlighter palette – There’s nothing wrong with a little glow in your day to day look, or to ramp up an exciting night look. The Choose Your Glow palette contains three shades to ensure you always have the right shade at hand for an irresistible glow to the skin.

The most subtle of the three shades creates a natural everyday highlight, while the bronze shade is ideal for a shimmering summer glow.

Price: €6.25 Blushlighter – These new ombre single pans are what happens when blush meets highlighter!

This new product comes in four shades, containing a highlighter and a blush shade, which perfectly fade into one another. The blush and highlighter can be applied solo or in combination, and is available in gold-rosewood nude, gold-soft peach, silver-nude coral and silver-cherry red. Price: €4.80 Stay 8h Matte liquid lipstick – If you’re looking for a durable liquid lip, this one is for you.

Promising to last for eight hours at a time, this product comes in nine seductive shades that will deliver a lasting matte finish. The texture is also light on the lips, with an ergonomic applicator, meaning once you try one shade, you’ll want to give them all a go! Price: €3.80

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 20 February 2020

POLSKA GAZETA

This week we look at the Zapusty celebration event CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN...JUST held by the Irish Polish Society in Dublin last Sunday FOR FUN!

Celebrations galore at Irish Polish Society’s Zapusty event news@dublingazette.com

THERE WAS plenty of fun and celebration in Fitzwilliam Place on Sunday, as the Irish Polish Society organised Zapusty – with a carnival concert of entertaining light music (popular classical music, tangos and waltzes, some film music, jazz, and more) at the Polish House.

‘Zapusty’ is an annual festival celebrated in many countries before Lent. In Poland Zapusty has been known since the early 16th century.

It was always a time of public merrymaking, feasting, music, dancing, fancy dresses and masquerade balls.

Pianist Anna Kiselyova played pieces of popular classical music, mazurkas, waltzes, film music, jazz, and more.

She was ‘supported’ by her talented daughter Maria, who sang and played piano, and her pupils - two Chinese kids who played four hands and were fantastic!

Traditional Polish carnival fritters faworki and doughnuts were served after the performance. It was a great evening and everyone who was there enjoyed it.

While in Ireland the seasonal parties of “eat, drink, and be merry” are celebrated before Christmas, in most of Continental Europe the ‘craic’ takes place after Christmas. In Poland the Zapusty (Polish Carnival) has been known

Pianist Anna Kiselyova and her daughter Maria Nasypanaya perform at the Zapusty event in the Polish Pianistka Kiselyova i House lastAnna Sunday.

Pic: James jej córka Maria Nasypanaya Dolan wyst puj na imprezie Zapusty w Domu Polskim w

Uroczystości na imprezie Dublin Zapusty news@dublingazette.com

W Fitzwilliam Place odbyło się mnóstwo zabawy i uroczystości w niedzielę, kiedy Towarzystwo Polsko Irlandzkie zorganizowało Zapusty - z karnawałowym koncertem rozrywkowej muzyki rozrywkowej (popularna muzyka klasyczna, tanga i walce, trochę muzyki filmowej, jazzu i więcej) w języku polskim Dom. „Zapusty” to coroczny festiwal obchodzony w wielu krajach przed Wielkim Postem. W Polsce Zapusty znane jest od początku XVI wieku. Zawsze był to czas wesołej zabawy, biesiadowania, muzyki, tańca, fantazyjnych sukienek i balów maskaradowych.

Pianistka Anna Kiselyova grała utwory popularnej muzyki klasycznej, mazurki, walce, muzykę filmową, jazz i wiele innych. „Wspierała ją” jej utalentowana córka Maria, która śpiewała i grała na since the early 16th century.

It was always a season of public merry-

pianinie, a także jej uczniowie - dwoje chińskich dzieci, które grały na cztery ręce i były fantastyczne!

Po spektaklu podano tradycyjne polskie placki karnawałowe faworki i pączki. To był wspaniały wieczór i wszystkim się podobało.

Podczas gdy w Irlandii sezonowe imprezy „jedz, pij i baw się dobrze” są obchodzone przed świętami Bożego Narodzenia, w większości krajów Europy kontynentalnej „święta” odbywają się po świętach Bożego Narodzenia. W Polsce Zapusty (Polski Karnawał) znane są od początku XVI wieku. Zawsze był to okres wesołej zabawy, biesiadowania, tańca, masek i fantazyjnych strojów, zabaw, romansów, złamanych serc i kaca. Tradycyjnie dzieje się to po Święcie Trzech Króli, kończąc noc „Tłustego Wtorku” (Shrove Tuesday lub Mardí Gras), czyli dnia Wielkiego Postu.

making, feasting, dancing, masks and fancy dresses, amusements, romances, broken

hearts, and hangovers.

Traditionally it takes place after Epiphany, ending the night of ‘Fat

Jak większość europejskich zwyczajów, Karnawał rozwinął się z praktyk przedchrześcijańskich - pogańskiego starożytnego rzymskiego festiwalu ku czci boga Saturna. Uroczystości Saturnalia obchodzono w połowie grudnia i były to najfajniejsze wakacje w starożytnym Rzymie. Wraz z nadejściem chrześcijaństwa starożytny rzymski festiwal nie został zniesiony, ale „zamieniony” w chrześcijańską ucztę.

Towarzystwo Irlandzko-Polskie organizuje wiele imprez przez cały rok, aw ostatnich miesiącach w listopadzie obchodzono Dzień Niepodległości Polski; specjalne wydarzenie poświęcone polskiej pisarce Oldze Tokarczuk oraz „Wieczór Trzech Króli” 6 stycznia.

W u b i e g ł y m r o k u To w a r z y s t w o obchodziło 40. rocznicę wystawą sztuki, którą zainicjował Ruairí Ó’Cuív, Public Art Officer Dublin City Council.

Tuesday’ (Shrove Tuesday or Mardí Gras), the day marking the beginning of Lent.

Like most European customs Carnival developed from pre-Christian practices –the pagan

ancient Roman festival in honour of god Saturn.

The Saturnalia festivities were celebrated in mid-December and were the merriest holidays in ancient Rome.

With the arrival of Christianity the ancient Roman festival was not abolished but ‘changed’ into a Christian feast.

The Irish Polish Society organise a number of events throughout the year, and in the past few months have held celebrations of Polish Independence Day in November; a special event dedicated to Polish writer Olga Tokarczuk and the ‘Three Kings Evening’ on January 6th.

The Society celebrated its 40th anniversary last year with an Art Exhibition, which was launched by Ruairí Ó’Cuív, Public Art Officer Dublin City Council.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADVERTISE IN POLSKA GAZETA? EACH week, DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS are focusing on news and views for the Polish community with Polska Gazeta.

Would you or your business like to get on board?

If you or any advertiser would like to be involved with this new concept,

and to be part of a sponsorship option, please contact Martyna Muszczynska at her email below.

Phone: 01- 60 10 240 • E-mail: sales@dublingazette.com

20 February 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

WHAT’S NEW IN THE WORLD OF TRANSPORT

Superb

by name

DUBLIN MOTORS

Skoda’s revised motor lives up to its name with ease

Available in a range of trims, Skoda’s third-generation Superb has been extensively revised both inside and out, with the end result seeing an already great motor brought to the next level, and thoroughly impressing

DECLAN GLYNN

THE third (and most successful) generation of the Skoda Superb has been extensively revised both inside and out.

Available in a Combi ( Es ta te) a n d S a l o o n ( L i f t b a c k) ve rs i o n s, Skoda has slightly modified the exterior of the Superb and has carefully refined the front section.

The redesigned front bumper means the car’s length has increased by

8mm (to 4,869mm) in the Superb Liftback, and by 6mm (to 4,862mm) in the Superb Combi.

There are five trim options on offer – Active, Ambition, Style, SportLine, and range-topping L&K (in honour of the company founders and automotive pioneers, Vaclav Laurin and Vaclav Klement).

The Superb update includes new technologies and an even more sophisticated interior.

These include full LED matrix headlights available for the first time in a Skoda production model, and feature as standard on SportLine and L&K models.

Additionally, several new assistance systems (such as predictive cruise control) have made their debut in the new Superb.

The engine line-up in consists of a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol (TSI) which produces 150bhp, a 1.6litre turbo-diesel (TDI)

with 120bhp, and a 2.0litre TDI with a choice of 150bhp or 190bhp.

Transmission options include a 6-speed manual, or a 7-speed DSG (automatic) – depending on the model and engine chosen – while fourwheel-drive is available with the TDI 190bhp engine.

My review car was a Superb SportLine Liftback 1.5TSI 150bhp, which was fitted with the VW group’s won-

another strong point for the Superb, with my car returning a consistent 43mpg (6.6l/100km) on a combined driving cycle, while annual road tax is just €270.

There is just one word required to describe the new Skoda Superb, and the clue is in the name.

T h e b i g S ko d a i s ‘superb’ in every way – from its striking design language, and its sumptuous and spacious interior, to the impressive

on-board technology, and modern engine lineup.

A plug-in hybrid is due to join the wonderful Superb range soon, and this will enhance the appeal of the car to an even wider audience than ever before.

Pricing for the revised Skoda Superb range starts at just €30,750 (including delivery), with my review car specification priced from €39,750.

Some driving tips to remember in any times of storms or high winds

The fourth-gen Octavia design is revealed by Skoda ahead of Geneva show STAYING with Skoda (see main article, above), the Czech manufacturer has released some official exterior design sketches showing the sporty range-topper for the fourth Octavia generation.

The Octavia is set to have its world premiere on March 3 at the Geneva Motor Show.

Signature black RS details emphasise the dynamic design language of the elegantly proportioned Skoda best-seller, whose dimensions have grown slightly over those of its predecessor.

As the first Skoda RS model to feature a plug-in hybrid powertrain, the Octavia RS

derful DSG (automatic) transmission.

An impressive specification comes as standard in SportLine trim, with the very latest in comfort, convenience, safety, and infotainment features on offer.

On the road, my review car handled every road surface with poise and prec ision, while the slick DSG transmission ensured that every journey was pleasurable F u e l e c o n o my i s

IV is unique in the way it combines familyfriendly versatility and sports car-like performance with sustainability and efficiency.

The design sketches reveal the Octavia RS IV in coupe-style saloon and dynamic Combi estate format.

The most eye-catching design elements are a black Skoda grille and a sporty front apron with large air intakes and distinctive black detailing.

Large alloy wheels, diffusers at the front and rear, and spoilers on the saloon’s tailgate and the rear edge of the combi’s roof underline the dynamic appeal of the Octavia RS IV.

THE recent spells of storms and poor weather certainly made their presence felt on our roads.

Here are some driving tips to remember during any high winds.

If your journey is absolutely necessary, plan the journey carefully and give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination.

Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, as this will allow you to take evasive action if the need arises. Even when stopped in traffic, a safe distance is recommended.

It is important to keep both hands firmly on your steering wheel, as strong winds – particularly gusts – can blow your vehicle off course, so it is best to be prepared.

Whether it is daytime or nightime, turn your dipped headlights on during times of high wind. Turning on your headlights will

give better visibility as to what lies ahead, and will also help other vehicles see you.

Be careful around larger vehicles such as trucks, vans or cars towing trailers, as these are more inclined to lose control in high winds.

Reduce your speed and give yourself a chance to stop suddenly if the need arises.

Always expect the unexpected.

Always be conscious of fallen trees, especially on country roads. Even after strong winds have died down, they might have damaged trees that could uproot days later, so stay cautious.

Watch out for any other debris on the roads.

Winds can blow branches from trees, or large items of rubbish, onto the roads, and onto your vehicle.

Make sure to give pedestrians and cyclists a wider berth than usual, because their paths can easily be affected by strong winds.

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 20 February 2020

DUBLIN BUSINESS WOMEN Our new, monthly insight into Dublin’s most successful women

DBW DUBLIN BUSINESS

WOMEN

You don’t need to get rich quick in order to succeed – Byrne NICOLA BYRNE is a bubbly, outgoing and genuine all-round nice person; a thinker who looks at the full picture, rather than just doing things for the sake of it, and is always thinking about what’s ahead.

It’s no surprise that the Glasnevin native has been involved as a founder of a unique group of companies, while also holding down a number of various board positions from the likes of being President of the Irish Exporters Association to being a member of the Ireland US Council, and much more besides.

She isn’t one to sit around, and set up the 11890 Directory enquir-

ies service, after coming up with the idea when on holidays.

“It was one of those mad ideas you have when you are on holiday,” Byrne told Dublin Gazette.

“I was with my husband on holiday in Blackpool in the UK, and I saw that they were deregulating the UK market and I thought ‘ooh we should have a go at that’ and I did!

“All of my ideas tend to be ‘oh how could I do that’ and then I go and do something about it!”

Byrne is certainly a person of action.

“I was flicking through something on the internet today, and I saw a great quote about Govern-

DBW DUBLIN BUSINESS

WOMEN

ments, that ‘unless smart people participated, that stupid people keep getting to rule’,” she said.

“I realise that you can’t do anything by just sitting on the sidelines, that the only way to get things done is to step in and do it yourself.”

Directory Enquires services are far from the money maker they used to be and while continuing the service, Byrne h a s d ive rs i f i e d i n to other areas, and in 2013 founded ‘Cloud 90’ a service which provides live risk analysis over social media data in real time.

“What we did was kept the same model, and kept the same people, but changed the job in hand,”

Byrne said.

“We’ve made jobs that never existed before now.

We have created innovative concepts that have never been built before.

“When the internet came along, everyone goes on about A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) this and A.I. that and the Googles, Facebook’s and Twitter’s of this world empowering you to do things for

yourself like booking a holiday.

“The problem is however that you have only one you and you are not an expert. The problem is that the internet brings you data, it doesn’t bring you answers.

“What someone thinks is an answer, because they have been empowered by Google or Facebook, but it’s just not true.

“You don’t have time to find facts, and even when you do find a fact, you don’t understand it the consequences.

“The difference between whether you have a flu or a virus can be only determined by a Doctor or a good mother!

And Nicola has this advice to budding entrepreneurs.

“There’s a mad world

out there of ‘the get rich quick brigade’.

“You do have to believe in yourself, but if it is a good idea and you work hard, you don’t need to sell your soul or look for a quick win, because even if you raise loads of money, or go to the bank and borrow money - if you feel rich you will blow it on needless things and make mistakes.”

ARE YOU A SUCCESSFUL DUBLIN BUSINESS WOMAN? EACH month, DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS are focusing on the promotion of Dublin Business Women.

We will be highlighting the vast talent that is Dublin Business Women. We will be talking to YOU about YOUR journey, where you are

in your business and about your plans. We’ll focus on what have been your obstacles, how you overcame them, and why you went into business and where you see yourself going.

Employees who are working for companies will also be promoted.

We want to hear YOUR story.

If you or any advertiser would like to be involved with this new DBW concept, and to be part of a sponsorship option, please contact Liz Ferris at her email below.

Commercial Director: Liz Ferris • lferris@dublingazette.com • 01 601 0240

20 February 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN...JUST FOR FUN!

CODEWORDS

You could advertise here

DUBLIN PUZZLES SUDOKU EASY

MODERATE

SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

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

WORD SEARCH

HOW TO SOLVE 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.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

FIND THE HIDDEN WORDS ANAL ARCHIVIST DOWNLOAD ELECTED ERRANDS FAIR GASES LICKED LITTERS MAUL MIDGE MITES

MONITOR NOURISHING OKAY REPLACES SCHEDULES SHIPS SIFTING SUCCESS TINT UNSTEADILY WHIG

To advertise here please contact sales@dublingazette.com or call 01 6010240

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20 February 2020 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 27

CAMOGIE P30

THE BEST IN DUBLIN

SPORT

GREENE STREET: SOCCER: AARON Greene expressed his delight on getting one over Bohemians goalkeeper James Talbot as he struck the winner in Shamrock Rovers’ league opener away to their biggest rivals.

The Kilnamanagh native admitted he had called the late goal, which earned the Hoops a 1-0 win, in advance as he exchanged barbs with the opinionated shot-stopper.



GAZETTE

BASKETBALL P29

PAGE 28

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS INFORM YOU OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AND SCORES OF YOUR FAVOURITE TEAMS RUGBY | BLUES ADAPT TO WET AND WILD CONDITIONS BETTER

Leinster catch Cheetahs cold at stormy RDS GUINNESS PRO 14 Leinster 36 Cheetahs 12  sport@dublingazette.com

LEINSTER returned to Guinness PRO14 action at the weekend with a 36-12 win over South African side Cheetahs at the RDS Arena.

In the midst of Storm Dennis, Leinster built up a 22-0 first half lead thanks to tries from Will Connors, Michael Bent and new Ireland cap Rónan Kelleher.

Connors opened the scoring at the end of the first quarter with his first senior points after Max Deegan’s break had given the province good field position.

Ciarán Frawley converted before adding a further three in the 28th minute when Cheetahs’ Charles Marais was sent to the bin for a shoulder charge.

Another Deegan break from a short Frawley pass opened up the South

Africans’ defence again, and after Kelleher was stopped short, a wellsupported Bent soon burrowed over for his third try of the season.

Kelleher increased his influence with a turnover penalty, and the subsequent maul – right on the stroke of half-time – saw the 22-year-old front rower power over for a deserved fivepointer.

Luke McGrath’s snappy break quickly launched Leinster forward on the resumption, Ruddock soon driving in under the posts with Ross Molony on his shoulder.

The latter secured lineout possession for the drive which Connors broke from for his second try of the day, converted once more by Frawley.

Try-scorer Connors said it was a tricky day in the conditions: “The wind was swirling around fairly hard but when we were warming up, the rain wasn’t there so we had no jackets.

“Sure, when we came out, it was then a full storm. We managed it well

Luke McGrath tries to get a box-kick over the Cheetahs’ defence. Picture: John Crothers

and prepared for it.

“It was fairly attritional and they had a big pack so the impacts were large and it took 20 minutes to break them down. It was just a tough battle up front.

“Coming off the back of a break, we could have been a bit rusty but credit to us all. We have trained well over the

last few weeks, trying to create match scenarios as much as possible. so we felt quite well prepared for it.”

Leinster are back in action on Friday evening with an away date against the Conference A basement side Ospreys at the Gnoll. The blues are currently 15 points clear at the top of the pool with 11 wins out of 11.

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

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

28 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 20 February 2020

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

2 1

LUCAN SARSFIELDS SARSFIELDS LUCAN MANY of the Juvenile football teams were back in grading and league WELL doneleagues, to the Junior A la action proper last weekend. Storm Ciara did take her toll though, with all of the U15 games called off on the Sunday. A special mention to the U12 boys who fielded four teams across the grading leagues on Saturday and performed really well in all the games. The U13’s (13a’s pictured) also played their first full team, full rules matches in grading games, and the U16 Teams began their League Campaigns. Results and Match Reports below.

Ladies Football again made history for the Club on Saturday, when the very first Minor C team played a challenge match against Castleknock.

Adult football and minor hurling leagues gets underway this Sunday 16/2, and juvenile fixtures continue, all fixtures available on the website, please support all teams whenever possible.

Congratulations to the U20 Dublin footballers on winning their opening match in the Eirgrid U20 Leinster Championship by 10 points against Wicklow in Aughrim last Saturday. Lucan players Alan Murphy and Mark Lavin scored a point each in the 1-17 to 1-07 victory, and the U20 Dubs now face Longford in the Leinster Quarter-Final at Parnell Park on Saturday 15th February, throw-in 2pm, all support welcome.

There are some fantastic prizes on offer in the GAA National Club Draw, including the top prize of a brand new Renault Clio. Tickets priced at €10 each may be purchased in the clubhouse, 12th Lock Café or from any team mentor.

THOMAS DAVIS MEMBERSHIPfor 2020 is now due, please check the club website or Facebook for online payment options or search Thomas Davis on the Clubforce app.

There was no juvenile activity last weekend due to storm. Best wishes to our U11 footballers who will play in Croke park next Saturday during the Dublin v Donegal game.

The seniordefeat hurlingtoteam FOLLOWING start their Naomh O AHL2 league campaign this Sunday with an away tie to Erin’s Isle at 10.30. The juniors take on Lusk away at 3pm in AHL7.

While the minor footballers travel to Russel Park to take on St Brigids at 11am in Div 2. Best of luck to all teams and managements for the year ahead.

Well done to the Dublin U20 footballers who beat Longford at the weekend and in particular to Adam Waddick, Fionn Murray, Stephen O’Byrne Braiden, Conor Guilfoyle and Ciaran Farrelly who are all involved with the team. Also to Davy Keogh and the dublin hurlers who beat Carlow, and Kerri Owens, Caitlin

Staunton, Lauren Young, Tammy Quinn and the Dublin minors ladies who beat meaty by a point.

Our Kids Academy takes place every Sat morning from 10-11am on the Astro pitch. New players welcome. Contact Club GPO Stephen Stewart for further details 0876795720. Check out our club website for all up to date juvenile training times and team contacts. www.thomasdavisgaa.ie Brian Lowth was our biggest overall weight loss of the week for OT with 5.5lbs losses and Kirsty Clinton and Sue Tyrell were the followers of the week, well done to all.

Our food Menu is now served in the upstairs lounge Thurs 4-9pm, Fri 4-9pm, Sat 12.30-9.00pm and Carvery downstairs 12-7pm on Sundays. Open to all the community to enjoy our delicious food.

Sincere condolences to O’Donovan family and extended family on the passing of Kathleen.

Lotto Numbers 1,5,14 + 24. Lotto not won. Next Week’s jackpot is €1,250.

ROUND TOWER, CLONDALKIN

SOCCER: KILNAMANAGH MAN’S PREDICTION COMES TRUE WITH

Greene delights in his prophecy coming to fruition LEAGUE OF IRELAND  DAVE DONNELLY

sport@dublingazette.com

AARON Greene expressed his delight on getting one over Bohemians goalkeeper James Talbot as he struck the winner in Shamrock Rovers’ league opener away to their biggest rivals.

The Kilnamanagh native admitted he had called the late goal, which earned the Hoops a 1-0 win, in advance as he exchanged barbs with the opinionated shot-stopper during the game.

“I said to James, ‘you’re going to drop one and I’m going to be there to tap it in’,” the striker said following the full-time whistle.

“I said it to him in the first half. Because he does give us a bit of stick in the media, doesn’t he? He always talks about our character and stuff.

“I don’t want to get into that. That’s what he does.

We put in a good performance on the day.

“I’m delighted. Last minute of the game. No better feeling. But we can’t get carried away. It’s just the first game of the season.”

Greene was harshly shown a straight red card when the sides met at Dalymount in the early weeks of last season as the Gypsies won 1-0 thanks to a Dinny Corcoran penalty.

This season it was Bohs who finished the game with ten men after Andy Lyons was shown a second yellow card midway through the second half, having been booked early on for a dive in the box.

Bohs looked to have held out for a hard-earned point as they limited the Hoops to just a few chances, but Greene was on hand to thump home after Talbot had denied Aaron McEneff.

Shamrock Rovers; Aaron Greene on the attack last Saturday at Dalymount Park.

Picture: Martin Doherty

The former Sunderland keeper fell awkwardly after diving low to deny the Derry native and there was nothing the covering defenders could do as Greene reacted first to the loose ball.

Rovers had earlier lost defensive talisman Joey O’Brien to a shoulder injury, and both Greene and Lee Grace had spurned

gilt-edged opportunities in atrocious conditions.

RTÉ had to cancel their intended broadcast of the game as Storm Dennis ripped through Dublin city, and the pitch cut up as the heavy rain battered the pitch throughout.

Greene, who was Rovers’ top scorer in 2019 with 11 league goals, had to run off after the match to watch

his son line out in the green and white Hoops against Southampton under-13s at Roadstone.

And he revealed the predatory instinct is something he’s been looking to bring more into his game having played a lot of his senior football on the wing.

“They’re the type of goals I’ve been wanting to score,” he added. “It was a

Rovers chairman defends LEAGUE OF IRELAND FIRST DIVISION  DAVE DONNELLY

sport@dublingazette.com

Shamrock Rovers’ Ronan Finn tackles Bohs’ Luke Wade Slater. Picture: Martin Doherty

SHAMROCK Rovers chairman Jonathan Roche has defended the club’s decision to enter a reserve side in the 2020 First Division following opposition from rival clubs both in the bottom and top tier.

The Hoops will be represented in both divisions for the second time after fielding a ‘B’ team in the 2014 First Division before being replaced by Cabinteely.

The nine extant First Division clubs – Rovers have replaced Limerick, who went into admin-

istration last year – released a new year’s eve statement expressing their opposition to the move.

Some clubs have privately expressed a willingness to boycott fixtures with Rovers II, as they’re officially titled, but the opening league fixture at home to Longford Town looks set to go ahead.

And chairman Roche, who was part of 400 club fans group that rescued Rovers from potential liquidation in 2007, said it’s a necessary step the club needs to take to fully develop players.

“It’s Shamrock Rovers II – from a club perspective it’s about player pathway, It’s develop-

20 February 2020 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

WINNER

BASKETBALL: NEAR NEIGHBOURS REMAIN IN THE PLAYOFF HUNT WITH WINS

Eanna keep up hot pursuit of near rivals Templeogue MEN’S SUPER LEAGUE  sport@dublingazette.com

DBS Éanna scooped up a significant home victory on Saturday evening, taking an 88-62 point win over DCU Saints.

Stefan Zecevic and Paris Ballingar were in fantastic form for the hosts, especially in transition as they helped Éanna into an early first half lead, 48-29.

The DCU Saints front court combo of Michael Bonaparte and Martins Provizors were causing trouble for Éanna defence, making key plays and converting on scoring opportunities but it wasn’t enough.

Joshua Wilson and Marko Tomic were on hand for Éanna to maintain the breathing space on the score board, as the Ballyroan club’s cool as the clocked ticked down.

Reflecting afterwards, Éanna coach Darren McGovern stated: “It’s really good to get back to winning ways. Any win in this league is well earned.

“DCU Saints were very good tonight, two big bodies in the inside and I feel we did a good job on them.

“We were missing Mark Reynolds tonight, so we were undersized from the start. Our transition from defence to offence was off the charts tonight, it was probably our best performance on transition offence.

Dean Williams - who was on the bench - type of goal.

“It was nice to get a poacher’s goal. I don’t care who scores. I say that an awful lot. If Graham Burke had scored, I’d be equally as happy.

“My Da was there on Saturday and one of my best friends and he just said ‘that’s the goal I want you to score’.”

Templeogue’s Lorcan Murphy landed 31-points against Maree. Picture: Barry Murphy/Sportsfile

Half court “In the half court, we ran our sets really well, found open guys and we made the extra passes.

“We built the lead early in the second quarter and kept it like that for the entire game. Very pleased to get the win, it’s been a long 4-5 weeks but very happy.”

The result sees Éanna in fifth place, three points behind UCD Marian and Griffith College Templeogue but with a game in hand.

Templeogue saw off the challenge of Maree at home Saturday evening, after a defeat early in the season.

Templeogue were in control from early on, with Lor-

can Murphy standing out on the offensive end, finishing with 31 points.

Stephen Cummins and Darin Johnston put in a good performance for Maree, but it just wasn’t enough, as Murphy, Neil Randolph and Jason Killeen drove home the, 97-68, Templeogue victory.

their second team’s entrance in LOI ment we have to do, must do, for our players.”

Roche said.

“That’s what it’s all about. I’m a bit surprised by the noise in the last few weeks, seeing that all the clubs have done so much over the last number of years in regards to academies and stuff like that.

“There is no next step, through no fault of the clubs, in regards to players when they’re 18/19.

“We applied last October, before anything happened with Limerick or anything like that, purely on the basis of developing players and putting our players first.”

It’s understood fielding a second team could

cost the Hoops up to six figures, and it’s common on the continent for clubs like Barcelona and Bayern Munich to field reserve teams in lower leagues.

He continued: “I don’t think it gives Shamrock Rovers a competitive advantage. It definitely doesn’t give us a financial advantage; it’s actually a disadavantage.

“Where it does give us an advantage is in player development. It’s not highly unusual in European football. So I don’t really understand [the opposition].

“Clubs are entitled to the opinions but we’ve had really good feedback as well, especially from players and managers, who think it’s a

good thing.”

Rovers will be allowed to field up to three first team players, plus a goalkeeper, during the season, although the club don’t expect to use the full allocation due to the fixture schedule.

“With the amount of fixtures, that limits the number of first team players. The majority of the squad will be under 21, a mixture of players that we retained from our 19s that are already overage.

“From our 19s panel as well, our 17s and maybe later on in the year some of our 15s and 16s who are internationals etc, will get game time in senior football.”

Speaking afterwards, GCT head coach Mark Keenan stated: “Super result and very happy with most of our performance tonight.

“We got the good start to the game that we wanted, and we never looked back from there.”

FINAL EIGHT

Kilnamanagh keep rolling KILNAMANAGH AFC travel to Hadden Park on Sunday for the quarter-final of the FAI Intermediate Cup to face Killester Donnycarney.

Goals from Andy McGovern and Anthony Hanevy saw them beat Donegal’s Cockhill Celtic last Sunday’s rain-affected last 16 replay.

30 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 20 February 2020

ROUND

CLUB NOTES

2

ROUND TOWER, CLONDALKIN WELL done Alex O’Neill who made his senior Championship debut for the Dublin Hurlers over the weekend against Carlow.

Fixtures fell victim to the weather over the weekend and our attention now turns to the opening round of hurling fixtures next weekend.

Our Inter Hurlers start their league campaign against St Maurs at Monastery Road Sunday morning at 10.30am.

Our Junior’s will play St Joseph’s Sunday afternoon in the Community Centre. Our Minor A Footballers are away Sunday morning against St Peter’s.

Full fixture details will be published in advance of the weekend.

Our Under 9 Boys Footballers & Hurlers have a great fundraising draw in place. Up for grabs is a signed jersey from the five-in-a-row winning Dublin Footballers.

The jersey will be framed. And also on offer are two Premium tickets for the Football League Final, to be played in Croke Park 29th March.

Tickets €5 and are available within the club.

Round Tower Lotto 10th February 2020. Jackpot: €10,000. Numbers drawn: 11,21,26,29 bonus ball 1.

No overall winner and no bonus ball winner. 3 x €100 winners: Richard Keane, Sharon Jordan, Ger Hodgins. Thanks to all who support our weekly Lotto.

Bingo every Tuesday night in the club with a €1,000 jackpot up for grabs. First call at 8.30pm.

ST PAT’S, PALMERSTOWN UNFORTUNATELY, all matches were called off at the weekend due to the weather. Next weekend will see a full round of fixtures, adult and juvenile, weather permitting.

Our senior hurlers are away to Ballyboden St Enda’s on Sunday morning at 10.30am in Ballycullen.

Our minor footballers play Man 0 War at home in Glenaulin Park at 11am. All support welcome.

Fixture details for all matches will be available on the website during the week.

I would ask all members to note that membership for 2020 is now due, and should be paid as soon as possible.

The easiest way is to pay on on-line at www.stpatricksgaa.ie New members are very welcome.

The Easter Camp will be on from 6 – 9 April. The Cúl Camps will be on 6 – 10 July, and 13 – 17 July.

Further information will follow.

Operation Transformation is on

Thursday evening from the Clubhouse at 7.30 pm.

Thanks to everyone who purchased National Draw Tickets.

The draw will take place on 12th March.

A special word of thanks to Eileen Maguire, Gill Pickett and all our ticket sellers.

The numbers in the Lotto draw this week were 6, 22, 24 and 29. There was no jackpot winner.

We had three match 3 winners – Denise Mullins, Mena McDermott and Ml Fahey who won €70 each.

The jackpot next week will be €10,000.

The draw takes place on Sunday night in the Palmerstown House at 10pm.

Tickets available online, and from SuperValu, Palmerstown House, and Manor Hair Studios.

The 2019 Minor footballers being presented with their Championship medals by club president Andy Slater (pictured).

WANDERERS LOTTO: No winner of this weeks jackpot, numbers drawn were 11-23-25. €25 goes to Phil Byrne, Derek Downey, Mary Mc Adam, David Fennelly . Jackpot next week is €10,000. As our lotto is now at €10k we have started a background which is sitting currently at €2,100.

When the €10k is won our new lotto will start from the background draw.

Our Lotto is now online through our Website or Facebook page.

If you are interested in playing for our Adult Men’s teams this season please contact Dave on 0877256754.

If you are interested in joining our Ladies team this season please contact Dionne on 0879315556 for more info. Our Juvenile training is on Saturday mornings and Wed evenings along with the nursery on Saturday mornings, please contact Fergal on 0876213142 for more details, the club is looking for new members at all levels so please reach out as per above if interested.

If you would like a Match Report or Photos submitted to the website or press please contact pro@wanderersgaa.ie. All items for the club notes must be submitted by Sunday evening to pro@wanderersgaa.ie.

CAMOGIE: PERFECT START FOR MINOR A SIDE

Dubs down Cork MINOR A CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP Dublin 1-12 Cork 1-9  JOE SHANNON sport@dublingazette.com

D U B L I N ’S m i n o r A camogie side survived Storm Dennis and a Cork onslaught to start their championship in brilliant fashion at Bray Emmet’s, beating the reigning champions by three points.

The side featured Lucan Sarsfields’ Ali Dunne and Ellen Dunphy, Faughs Celtic’s Rachel Seery, Naomh Jude’s Ciara Clohessy and Ballyboden St Enda’s Katie McDonald from the start amid rattling gusts and spitting rain.

After Aisling O’Neill’s early point, goalkeeper Jones had to be alert to deny an instant riposte from Cork.

Dublin had started slightly the better with Ellen Dunphy making an immaculate catch in the conditions while Niamh Comerford added another point from a free.

O’Neill sent another over the bar before Cork retaliated with speed and purpose and set about a storming run from Ciara Irwin who struck low and hard but Jones was again equal to it.

But the rebels were coming in waves and Rebecca Sheehan took advantage of the goalmouth scramble

Lucan Sarsfields’ Ellen Dunphy on the attack. Picture: ilivephotos.com

to put the sliotar in the net for a goal. All even.

No matter as the hosts edged back in front when Jamieson Murphy was fouled and Comerford sailed the free over the bar.

Cork equalised again and almost went in front for the first time when Claudie Keane’s shot rattled the upright and bounced back into play.

Following the reprieve, Comerford delivers another score from a 45.

In the final minutes of the half, the struggle, like the wind, is unsure which way it is blowing. The visitors do land a point but, in the blink of an eye, the Dublin gears find their

DUBLIN SFC DRAW Boden handed Vincent’s date BALLYBODEN St Enda’s have

been handed an enticing group stage battle with St Vincent’s in their bid to retain the Dublin senior football championship which will get underway in April.

They are also grouped with Clontarf and Whitehall Colmcille. Last year’s surprise finalists Thomas Davis are in a group with Ballymun Kickhams along with Round Tower, Lusk and Skerries Harps.

groove adding two more points via the steady aim of Comerford and one from play by Katie McDonald for a 0-7 to 1-2 half-time start.

Cork started the second half on the up, equalising the score as Dublin defended their lead desperately.

No sooner had they done so than O’Neill popped up again and added another score from an acute angle; again, the Munster side equalise quickly.

But a new fluency could be detected in the Dublin play. A Lucy Quinn strike went tantalisingly wide after a melee in the goal mouth.

O’Neill then sent a low, fierce shot at the Cork goal

which was just parried which Dunphy, running at speed, pounced on to soar the sliotar over the bar. Another Comerford free augmented the tally further.

Cork, sensing the game slipping, were be ing blocked at each turn with 10 minutes to go, a great block down by Katie McDonald a case in point.

And McDonald was soon to create the crucial goal, dropping in a free into the danger zone where Comerford was on hand to strike into the net.

It put six in the difference and while Cork rallied, Dublin had enough to get over the line.

20 February 2020 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 31

CAMOGIE: LUCAN WOMAN CONFIDENT HER SIDE CAN SHAKE THINGS UP

O’Dell gets Dub U-20 side rolling

Dublin camogie players Leah Butler and Emma Flanagan at the launch of Mitsubishi Motors link-up with Dublin GAA. Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Sars’ Flanagan aiming high for summer bid DUBLIN CAMOGIE  CÓILÍN DUFFY

sport@dublingazette.com

DUBLIN SENIOR camogie player Emma Flanagan believes her side can deliver silverware this year, and that it can come in the championship.

John Treacy’s new charges got their 2020 campaign off to a positive start, running reigning All-Ireland champions Galway to three points in their Littlewoods Division 1 League opener.

Flanagan says there’s a chance the long drought for silverware may come to an end this summer, with Dublin harbouring realistic expectations of delivering a provincial crown.

“Obviously, we are going out to win every time we play, and something like a Leinster title is something that we could target, especially this year,” she told Dublin Gazette at the launch of Mitsubishi Motors’ new partnership with Dublin GAA as official vehicle

sponsors.

“In the past few years, we have always been getting someone very tough in the first round. But I think the draw might be a little bit more favourable this time.

“Leinster is definitely somewhere you can target when you and other teams might not be expecting you to be ready.

“If we go all-out for that one, then I think there’s definitely a possibility.

“If we got something like that, there’s nothing to say we couldn’t drive on for the All-Ireland championship and then to have that confidence behind the team.”

There were plenty of positives to take from that league opener against Galway, with Dublin putting it up to a very strong and experienced Tribeswomen side.

“They didn’t field a ‘B’ team or anything,” the Lucan Sarsfields woman said.

FOOTBALL

“They put out most of their starters from last year. To see that they gave us that much respect, and we gave them a right battle and scared the life out of them, I’d say!

“Just a few things on the day [went wrong for us]; a couple of goal chances and if things like that went in or if we had got a few more shots...

“It was only a few calls - a few frees that Galway got near the end and a few points.

Other than that, there was nothing in it!”

An away trip to Tipperary is next up this weekend for Dublin. The Premier County beat Limerick by a point in their opening game, and Flanagan says her side have nothing to fear.

“We would see Tipperary as one of

“

the teams we are able to beat,” she said.

“We know how they play. I’d say we play them nearly every year in the championship, and it is always a tight game, so we would always fancy ourselves against them, especially the way we are going at the moment. “ I f we c o u l d p u t together a performance the way we did against Galway and, just maybe get a few more attacks, or take our shots from distance, just getting the shots off and having the confidence to do that in our team.

“If we do that against Tipperary, I’ve confidence we can get the result, because we are well able for them.

We know them from playing over the years.”

We have always got someone very tough in the first round but I think the draw might be a more favourable this time

”

TWO LATE goals saw Dublin to victory in this EirGrid Leinster Under20 football championships quarter-final at Parnell Park on Saturday.

The side featured Templeogue Synge Street’s Lorcan O’Dell netted a first half goal.

He started alongside Lucan Sarsfields’ Alan Murphy and Mark Lavin and Thomas Davis’s Adam Waddick.

Goals from Ciarán Archer (56th minute) and sub Conor Kinsella (61st minute) saw Tom Gray’s men advance to a provincial semi-final next weekend.

Archer was in the right place at the right time to fire to the net after Pádraig Purcell was twice denied by Longford keeper Eoin McGuinness.

Five minutes later, Kinsella made no mistake to crack home Dublin’s third goal.

There was little between the side throughout before Longford were reduced to 14 men following the sending off of Aidan McGuire. Dublin led 1-8 to 0-7 at that stage and, over the conclusion, turned their numerical superiority to the advantage, following the 47th minute sending off of Longford’s Aidan McGuire.

Played in very difficult conditions, the tie had been level at 1-3 to 0-6 at half-time thanks to O’Dell’s first half goal before Dublin started the second half with a run of five successive points.

Dublin will return to Parnell Park on Saturday for the semi-final of the competition against Meath with a 2pm throw-in time.

GazetteSPORT FEBRUARY 20-26, 2020

ALL OF YOUR WEST DUBLIN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31 33-39

GREENE FIRES ROVERS WIN SOCCER:

Shamrock Rovers win tempestuous opening day battle with Bohemians amid Storm Dennis’s tough conditions. SEE P28

HIGH HOPES CAMOGIE:

Leinster title a realistic target for Lucan Sarsfields rising star Emma Flanagan.

SEE P31

TOP FOUR HOOP DREAMS BASKETBALL:

Templeogue and Eanna victorious to continue their pursuit of a top four playoff place.

SEE P29

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Salmon Leap’s Jegou gets nod for Olympics  STEPHEN FINDLATER

sport@dublingazette.com

SALMON Leap Canoe C l u b ’s L i a m J e g o u became the first Team Ireland athlete to be selected for the Tokyo Olympic Games this summer.

The 24-year-old will compete in the C1 category at the Kasai Canoe Slalom Centre in Tokyo from the July 26 to 27.

In so doing, he will become just the second Irish athlete ever to compete in the C1 Canoe Slalom at the Olympic Games after Mike Corcoran who last competed in Atlanta 1996, the year Jegou was born.

Vowing to seize his opportunity in Tokyo this summer, the France based racer said: “Being an Olympian has always been one of my biggest dreams. I started training when I was 11 or 12, the past month has been unbelievable knowing that I am going to compete for Team Ireland in the Olympics.

“In my sport, the Olympics is everything; it’s what everyone works for in their sport. It’s such a select thing; there’s only one athlete per nation that gets to go and when you go, you just want to give it your all.

“Most people only get to go to the Games once or twice in their lives and I’m certainly not going to let the opportunity pass me by.”

The canoe slalomist has already stamped his mark on the inter-

Canoe Slalom racer Liam Jegou has become the first Team Ireland athlete to be selected for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

“Most people only get to go to the Games once

or twice in their lives and I’m certainly not going to let the opportunity pass me by.“ national stage, winning silver in the 2014 Junior World Championships and bronze in the 2019 Under-23 World Championships.

Canoe ing Ireland Performance Director Jon Mackey described the significance of this for his sport: “It’s big for any sport to qualify for an Olympic Games.

For canoeing, it’s great for the exposure of the sport, we are relatively small, and it’s great to tap into the proud tradition of Irish canoeing at the Olympic Games.”

Jegou was nominated for the 2020 slot after finishing on top in the three-race selection criteria, which included the World Championships in

Spain, the event in which Ireland qualified the coveted Olympic berth courtesy of Robert Hendrick, another talented Irish racer.

The difference between C1 and K1 in canoeing is that the C1 category involves the athletes using a singlebladed paddle to propel the boat forward while

kneeling in the canoe.

The K1 athlete is seated and uses a doublebladed paddle. C1 Canoe Slalom has been on the O l y m p i c p ro g ra m m e since 1992 as a men’s event, and 2020 is the first year that a C1 women’s event is included, in the IOC move towards a gender-balanced games.

Ireland has a rich his-

tory in K1 Canoe Slalom, with Ian Wiley and Eoin Rheinisch competing in the event for three Olympic Games each between 1992 and 2012.

Eadaoin Ní Challarain was the first Irish female canoe slalom racer, competing in the K1 in 2000 and 2004, and in London 2012 Hannah Craig raced in this event also.