Blanchardstown Gazette

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April 18, 2013

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Month XX, 2012 Blanchardstown • Blakestown • Hartstown • Coolmine • Tyrrelstown • Dunboyne • Corduff • Mulhuddart • Ongar

INSIDE: A taste of Japan for all at the Hanami Festival at Farmleigh P8

Hurling:

Local players help Fingal to Division 3A title Page 32

Feile 2013:

St Brigid’s claim Division 2 football title Page 31

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES....................... 8 DUBLIN LIFE....................11 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................27

getting motivated: Star is inspired to try weight loss programme See Page 3

Future of teaching positions unclear  LAURA WEBB

THE future of 17 teaching positions that support English as an Additional Language remains unclear as the Department of Education gave provisional approval to the retention of the posts.

The Department of Education has confirmed that appeals to retain 17 posts in schools across Dublin 15 have been “provisionally approved” with final approval depending on school enrolments in September.

Minister Leo Varadkar (FG) said Dublin 15 is a “very diverse community” and there are a “huge number of students who do not use English as their first language”. He went on to thank Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn for recognising the needs of schools in Dublin 15.

Meanwhile, local councillor Ruth Coppinger (SP) said these positions are “essential” and more teachers are needed in Dublin West.

Full Story on Page 7

Hole in one: Golf classic held for diabetes care centre

the blanchardstown Hospital Society recently held its second Golf Classic at Castleknock Golf Club.

Following last year’s resounding success when just over €12,000 was raised for the Stroke Unit in Connolly Hospital, this year’s proceeds

will go towards the Diabetic Day Care Centre at Connolly Hospital.

They hope to achieve a target of over €11,000. Pictured at the event are Eilish O’Sullivan , Margaret O’Sullivan, Anne Donegan and Mary Buckley. Picture: Ronan O’Sullivan

See Gallery on Pages 8-9

2 BLANCH Gazette 18 April 2013

dublin GAZETTe newspapers i n f o r m at i o n

event Annual swim has raised €406,000

Block 3A, Mill Bank Business Park, Lucan Tel: 01 - 6010240 Dublin Gazette Newspapers publish eight weekly quality free titles, covering the greater Dublin area from Swords to Dun Laoghaire

c o n ta c t s Managing Director: Michael McGovern mmcgovern@gazettegroup.com News Editor: Mimi Murray mmurray@gazettegroup.com Brian and Laura Daly took it upon themselves to hold the event their son had started

Production Editor: Jessica Maile jmaile@gazettegroup.com Picture Editor: Paul Hosford picturedesk@gazettegroup.com Sports Editor: Rob Heigh rheigh@gazettegroup.com Financial Controller: Carly Lynch clynch@gazettegroup.com Advertising Production: Suzanne Sheehy ssheehy@gazettegroup.com Advertising Sales: 01 - 6010240 sales@gazettegroup.com

Find us on

www.gazettegroup.com Gazette Group 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 Blanchardstown Gazette, Castleknock Gazette, Clondalkin Gazette, Dundrum Gazette, Dun Laoghaire Gazette, Lucan Gazette, Malahide Gazette and Swords Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.

Swimathon’s tenth year is a joy for Ian’s parents The parents of Ian Daly continue to be overwhelmed by the support they receive for the annual swimathon they organised in memory of their son, as it reaches its tenth anniversary.

Ian Daly was 11 years old when he passed away on July 24, 2003, following a battle against a very rare and aggressive brain tumour, a Rhabdoid Terratoma.

He loved swimming and swam for the Viking Minnows in Palmerstown.

Ian was helping to organise a sponsored swim but sadly never got to see it happen.

His parents, Brian and Laura Daly, took it upon themselves to hold the event their son had started.

This April 20 and 21

 laura webb lwebb@gazettegroup.com

will mark the tenth annual Ian Daly Swim a Mile at the National Aquatic Centre in Blanchardstown that has so far raised €406,000 for Barretstown and the Children’s Cancer research centre at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin.

Over a hundred swimmers are expected to complete a swim each day and according to Laura, who has three other children, funds raised will help to ensure that services are available for other children suffering from serious illness in the future.

“Every penny we raise is split equally to Barretstown and to St John’s Cancer Ward in Crumlin Hospital, which is the only oncology ward in the country,” she explained.

According to Laura, she and Brian never thought they would still be doing the swimathon ten years later.

“We just can’t believe it... We never thought it would go on this long.

This started as a sponsored swim Ian was arranging himself when he was in remission, so we got in touch with his club and they said they would do it – it just took off from there.

“In the last few years, people have been ringing us in January asking if the swim is going ahead.

“We have swimming clubs, individuals and TY

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

‘This is a great legacy to have and to see his name in lights on the board at the NAC, it’s just great to see’ --------------------------------------------------------

classes do it through a TY programme. We give them a talk in the school, all about Barretstown and Ian’s story and they start fundraising.

“They go out to the NAC and they do their swim. It is actually part of the TY programme, which is great. It measures the support we do have and the success it has been.

“It’s just getting bigger every year and a lot of the same people are coming back since the beginning.

“This is a great legacy to have and to see his name in lights on the board at the NAC, it’s just great

to see. People always talk about him, it means, to everyone he is always here or in their mind.

“We hope we can continue on for another ten years. The swimming community doesn’t get great recognition really, you hear about things like football and hurling, but you don’t hear a lot about what’s going on in the swimming world so it keeps it up there and gives swimmers something to focus on, other than a gala. It’s just a great two days out,” she added.

For further information see www.smileamile.ie

18 April 2013 BLANCH Gazette 3

health Star inspired to try weight loss programme

Alan’s all for new Motivation Clinic opening  Laura Webb

TV personalityAlan Hughes officially opened the new Motivation Clinic at Blanchardstown after finding out first hand just how effective the programme is.

On Wednesday, April 10, Motivation Weight Management launched its latest clinic in Blanchardstown Village, adding to their existing Dublin Clinics at the Beacon Medical Hall in Sandyford, Dawson Street in the City Centre and in Swords –

DUBLIN Gazette newspaper HAVE 169,000 READERS EACH WEEK *based on TGI-ROI 2012

advertise your business to our readers call 60 10 240

bringing the countrywide network of clinics to 34.

Speaking on the night, Alan explained his interest in the clinic. “ I i n t e r v i e we d a brother and sister on Ireland AM last year who lost over 24 stone with Motivation and I wondered if the programme would also suit me as I just wanted to lose one stone.

“I had tried and failed for years to lose this stone, even before my wedding but could never shift it… I did the Motivation

programme and lost the stone in just five weeks and I have kept it off since last September. The programme also works for people with a relatively small amount of weight to lose which I think is good,” he added.

Alan Hughes was also joined by local lady Eve Bridges who is currently on the programme and has lost an impressive seven stone.

“For 10 years my weight fluctuated until I found myself 10 stone overweight. I was suc-

Alan Hughes (TV3) officially launches Motivation Blanchardstown to the delight of co-founders and directors, Aisling and Paul Connolly

cessful in every other part of my life so I couldn’t understand why my weight was so out of control. I joined Motivation and never looked back. I now feel I have my life back and am well on my way to achieving my goal,” Eve said.

Motivation Weight Management is helping Irish people reach and maintain their ideal weight

long-term. Motivation’s concept of focusing not just on what people eat, but why, was pioneered by world-renowned FrenchCanadian bariatrician Dr Maurice Larocque, who developed the revolutionary “Mental Weight” concept.

This helps people achieve and maintain their ideal weight by identifying and tackling the

root cause of their eating habits and behaviours.

Motivation Blanchardstown is located at 3 St Brigid’s Cottages, Main Street, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.

Open: Tuesday-Thursday 11am-7pm and Saturday 9am-5pm.

To book an appointment, call 1850 30 6000 or email: blanchardstown@ motivation.ie

traffic Closed road until May 31 A TEMPORARY oneway traffic system has been put in place at part of the Old Navan Road to facilitate construction works associated with the Mulhuddart Interchange Project.

As of April 8, a one-way system at the Old Navan Road from its junction with the roundabout in the vicinity of the Liberty Insurance Building at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre to its junction with the inbound slip road onto the N3 will be in place until May 31. Traffic will be restricted westbound only, i.e. there will be no eastbound access to Blanchardstown Village/Shopping Centre for the duration of the works.

Diversions will be in place.

See www.fingalcoco.ie for further info.

4 BLANCH Gazette 18 April 2013

FastNews

awards Over 379 youngsters take challenge

Blanchardstown centre to come alive with fashion, style and beauty The Blanchardstown Centre will transform into a fashionista’s dream when it comes alive with fashion shows as well as style and beauty masterclasses during this year’s U-Style event. On April 27 and 28, see the latest trends and make up looks take centre stage at the centre for this fashion and beauty weekend extravaganza, in conjunction with U Magazine. There will be four fashion shows each day at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm to give customers a preview

of the new season’s arrivals and help keep on trend for Spring Summer 2013. There is also hair and beauty masterclasses presented by industry experts Peter Mark and Inglot. Stylist Annmarie O’Connor shares her expertise on Style during a special masterclass where she shows off her favourite occasion wear pieces from BT2. Get all of the latest tips on how to find the perfect pair of jeans with Jules Fallon at the Sweet Jeans Masterclass. Blanchardstown Centre’s very own style expert Shirley Lane will be showcasing her style picks from a selection of stores at Blanchardstown Centre. All this and more, including complimentary beauty treatments, spot prizes, discounts from your favourite stores.

For further information see www.blanComplimentary beauty treatments will be on offer chardstowncentre.ie

Sean Keenan, Eden Moore, Nellie Galagher and Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sports, Leo Varadkar (FG).

Youths awarded for getting active

 laura webb

Hundreds of young people from across Dublin were recognised for getting active during a special awards ceremony at a local community centre.

Over 379 youngsters took part in the County Dublin VEC’s Active Youth Challenge.

Last week, awards were presented to youth clubs and groups who took part in the initiative at Phibblestown Community Centre by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sports, Leo Varadkar (FG).

In 2012 the challenge saw 35 groups, who cater for 379 young people and three schools, encourage kids from across County Dublin to take up 12 hours of physical activity

over a 12-week period to see the benefits of regular exercise.

A variety of activities were taken up by the participants including walking, running, soccer marathon, swimming, caving, gorge walking, circus skills, ceili dancing, self-defence, rock climbing, snorkelling, survival skills, sumo wrestling and hip hop dancing.

Those who completed the challenge were awarded a County Dublin VEC Active Youth Challenge Medal.

“It’s great to see so many young people getting involved in sport and physical activity. This is an excellent awards scheme, and I congratulate everyone who took part. It goes to show that even a small amount of activity per week can make a huge

difference,” Minister Varadkar said.

Special achievement awards were also presented to Born Survivors from Lucan Youth Service for completing the most hours of activity with 31hours and 30 minutes.

Boys in Blue from Ronanstown Youth Service were given an award for completing the most activities with 15.

Sacred Heart National School Sruleen in partnership with Clondalkin Youth Service had 32 group members successfully completing 12 or more hours.

An independent judging panel awarded the Active Youth Excellence Award to the Astro Boys from Ronanstown Youth Service for providing the best delivery of the Challenge.

“Although one hour of physical activity a week might not seem a lot, at a time of increasing levels of obesity among our young people, it is critical that we educate and motivate them about the long term benefits of being fit and active,” said Daniel Kilgallon, Youth Sports officer, County Dublin VEC. The groups came from across Dublin including Clondalkin, Ronanstown, Lucan, Tallaght, Whitechurch, Dundrum, Rathdown, Mulhuddart, Tyrrellstown and Corduff.

The Active Youth Challenge is an initiative of the County Dublin VEC. All the groups involved in the programme are funded or grant aided through County Dublin VEC or avail of Co Dublin VEC Sports Services.

18 April 2013 BLANCH Gazette 5

festival

complaint: property agent defends rights of tenants

Celebrate Spanish culture

‘Hanging meat is a part of culture’  laura webb

The agent of a Dublin 15 property that had a complaint made against its tenants for hanging meat from their washing line has said this is a “cultural thing” and that they have every right to do it in their back garden.

Last week, this paper reported that the HSE had received a complaint from a Clonsilla resident about meat being hung from a washing line in a neighbour’s back garden, and there being concerns that it could attract vermin.

The meat has subsequently been taken down.

An agent speaking on behalf of the landlord

of the property told The Gazette he has been made aware of the issue and that it is a “cultural thing” and they use it for homemade dishes. He added that they have a right to do this in their back garden.

The agent said that he was only aware of fish hanging from the washing line. When informed that pictures and information received by The Gazette showed meat carcasses, the agent said: “I didn’t see anything else.”

He went on to say neighbours have “the right to complain” but that these tenants also have the right to put meats and fish out.

“I can’t tell them what

to cook and what not to cook.”

The neighbour who complained about the meats has said the meats have since been taken down.

“I have been told to inform them [HSE and Fingal council] if it happens again. I am just hoping it won’t happen again.”

A spokesperson for Fingal said inspectors from the HSE visited the premises and received assurances that the practice of drying meat outdoors would cease, adding Fingal’s own environmental health officer called to the premises the following day, and there was no evidence of this practice continuing.

Initiative: Scouts to help out in the community WITH Jack Gill to the fore in helping to highlight Scouting Ireland’s Community Celebration Week, fellow scouts Sinead Halton and Sean Barnes, along with Ian Davy, chief commissioner, youth programme, Scouting Ireland, were standing by, ready to help out if needed.

During the week, which ends on April 21, Jack and the association’s 44,000 scouts, including its members are working on a local community project.

A festival celebrating the best of Spanish and Latin culture is set to take place at Dtwo nightclub on Harcourt Street on April 21.

La Fiesta, presented by Real Events, will incorporate different types of Spanish and Latin food, drink, music, performance and dance.

Beginning at 1pm, and continuing until 3am, La Fiesta will feature a number of Latin Party Dublin DJs as well as flamenco, salsa and tango per formances and salsa and zumba workshops for those attending. Language Exchange Ireland will feature a Spanglish language exchange.

Cost of entry is €5 per person. www.facebook. com/realeventsinireland.

6 BLANCH Gazette 18 April 2013

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Looking to the future

heritage

Talk on the Irish language A local Irish heritage group is hosting an event later this month to discuss the history of the Irish Language.

Muintir Na Gaeilge Ongar is delighted to present Caoimhin O Cadhla from Foras na Gaeilge who will make a presentation on the history of the Irish language, through English, in Rendezvous Coffee House, Ongar Village at 7pm on Monday, April 29.

This free presentation will be of interest to anyone with a love of the Irish language, history, heritage and placenames.

There will be a Ciorcail Comhra (Irish language conversation group) following the presentation for anyone who wishes to stay on.

Working to ensure no loss of frontline services Dear Sir

Award: Local pupil wins for amazing art work eighteen-year-old Andrew Fulcher from

Castleknock College has every reason to be happy as he won a prize for his art work in this year’s 59th Texaco Children’s Art Competition. His work entitled Creases of Age won a third prize of €750 in the 16-18 years age category. Adam Blagburn, also a student at Castleknock College, won a Special Merit Award in the same category for his tearful work entitled Taking Candy from a Baby.

I am writing in response to the opinion piece in your issue of March14, 2013, in which Environment Minister Phil Hogan wrote about his proposals for the alignment of local government and local development, and the changes that are necessary to ensure more efficient, effective and joined up structures.

As the Local Development Company for Dublin 15 since 1995, the core of our work has been to provide a local service rooted in the community, accessible by all those who need it, developed and provided in accordance with local needs.

It is this bottom-up approach that we wish to retain within the alignment of local government and local development.

We are committed to working with the Minister and his officials in ensuring that there is no loss of frontline services in our community.

We have been at the forefront of dealing with change for the past five years, and the Board and staff of Blanchardstown Area Partnership have responded positively to a number of significant challenges, including: • The 2008 Cohesion process, whereby the population of our catchment area was almost doubled by the addition of four Electoral Divi-

sions in Castleknock, Lucan and The Ward; • The 2011 merger of the Community Development Programme and the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme; and • A significant reduction in programme funding of 24.8% between 2011 and 2013 necessitated by the country’s economic difficulties.

During this time, the Partnership has continued to provide much needed services to our community through the Local and Community Development Programme, including access to tailored training programmes, back to work supports and selfemployment options.

The success of this pro-

gramme is clearly demonstrated by our results.

In the period 2008 to 2012 a total of 717 individuals have set up businesses in Dublin 15, providing an additional 578 jobs.

For the year 2012 alone, 711 individual beneficiaries attended education and work-related training; 200 individuals set up micro-businesses and they provided an additional 136 jobs.

We look forward to continuing to provide local services for local people which meet clearly identified local needs.

Linda Curran Chief executive Blanchardstown Area Partnership

18 April 2013 BLANCH Gazette 7

d15 Future for teaching positions is unclear

Provisional approval to keep teachers A number of teaching positions that will support English as an Additional Language may be retained at schools across Dublin 15 in the next academic year.

According to local TD and Minister for Transport, Sports and Tourism Leo Varadkar (FG), the Department of Education has confirmed that appeals to retain 17 teaching positions in Dublin 15 have been “provisionally approved” and final approval depends on school enrolments in

September.

“Dublin 15 is a very diverse community.

There are a huge number of students who do not use English as their first language. Minister Ruairi Quinn has clearly recognised this in his decision to review the situation,” Minister Varadkar said.

“I want to thank Minister Quinn for recognising the needs of schools in Dublin 15, which represent a huge range of communities.”

Socialist Party Cllr Ruth Coppinger said

these positions are essential, but more teachers are needed in Dublin West.

“We lost a huge amount of teachers in the last couple of years in Dublin West because of cuts and the change in pupilteacher ratio and the English support.

“We would have a huge number of kids who need help with English, so they [the positions] are absolutely vital because not only do these children need help, but the teachers need to be able to deal

Cllr Ruth Coppinger says the teaching positions are essential

with other kids who don’t need the help rather than holding everyone back.”

The schools that could see these teachers retained include: Scoil Naomh Lucais, Hollywood Road, Tyrrelstown – 2 positions, Scoil Bride B, Blanchardstown – 2 positions, Scoil Bride C, Blanchardstown – 1 position, St Francis Xavier Junior National

School, Roselawn Road, Castleknock – 1 position, Corduff National School, Blanchardstown – 1 position, Scoil Nais Mhuire Sois, Blakestown, Mulhuddart – 1 position, St Philips Senior National School, Mountview, Clonsilla – 1 position, Sacred Heart National School, Huntstown, Mulhuddart – 2 positions, Scoil

Thomais, Laurel Lodge, Castleknock – 1 position, Ladyswell national School, Mulhuddar t – 2 positions, Tyrrelstown Educate Together National School, Hollywood Road, Tyrrelstown – 1 position and Powerstown Educate Together National School, Powerstown Road, Tyrrelstown – 2 positions.

council April 25 deadline for plan Residents have until April 25 to make submissions and observations on the master plan for St Catherine’s Park.

This is the second time the masterplan has gone on public display after it failed to include an environmental impact assessment required by the planning and development amendment regulations in its last notice back in November.

The proposed master plan includes a children’s playground, a BMX track, a cricket pitch, a cycle link and a coffee shop among other things.

Plans and particulars are available for inspection at Fingal Offices, Grove Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 and Blanchardstown Library.

See www.fingalcoco.ie.

8 BLANCH Gazette 18 April 2013

gazetteGALLERIES

Miguel Moreno from Spain embraces his inner samurai

CULTURE: A TASTE OF JAPAN FOR ALL AT HANAMI FESTIVAL AT FARMLEIGH

T

HE fourth annual Experience Japan Hanami festival recently took place at Farmleigh in the Phoenix Park. More than 1,000 people visited the festival to get a taste of all things Japanese, and to try out Japanese culture and activities first hand. The festival has grown from strength to strenth since its inauguration, and this year saw over 100 volunteers help to make this event a success. The food stalls proved popular, with long queues forming for sushi, bento boxes and ramen noodles.

A variety of acts performed on the stage, such as the soranbushi dancing, the traditional Japanese taiko drums and martial arts demonstrations.

Alan Johnson, Seamus Cowman, Sean and Phillip Curtis. Pictures: Ronan O’Sullivan

Sean Murtagh and Kevin Moore

Vivian Moore and Eugene Brady

Leah O’Riordan

Beatrix Dolan

Jessica Freeney

Yukiko Hirano Bracken with her daughter Michelle. Pictures: Ronan O’Sullivan Eilish O’Sullivan

Margaret O’Sullivan, Anne Donegan and Mary Buckley

18 April 2013 blanch Gazette 9

Have you seen yourself in the Gazette? Buy photos online from only €6.99 at www.gazettephotos.com

hole in one: PLAYING ON PAR FOR HOSPITAL’S CENTRE

Golf classic held for diabetes care T

HE Blanchardstown Hospital Society recently held its second Golf Classic at Castleknock Golf Club.

Following last year’s resounding success when just over €12,000 was raised for the Stroke Unit in Connolly Hospital, this year’s proceeds will go towards the Diabetic Day

Hugh Pitt and John Peters

Jim Walsh and Martin Connor

Phil Moore and Peter Keogh

Cyril Murphy and Ken Brennan

Care Centre at Connolly Hospital. They hope to achieve a target of over €11,000.

In conjunction with the Golf Classic a raffle was held. Dr Eamon Leen of Connolly Hospital won the first prize of €500 in the raffle, and he generously donated this back to the Diabetic Day Care Centre.

10 BLANCH Gazette 18 April 2013

gazetteGALLERY

Have you seen yourself in the Gazette? Buy photos online from only €6.99 at www.gazettephotos.com

Iris Meade and Carmel Watts

Kate and Stephen Brennan

Eimear O’Connor, Orlagh Mc Bride and Kay Sheehy

Shaw’s play a big hit

F

ANS of the work of George Bernard Shaw gathered to The Gate Theatre recently for the opening of Mrs Warren’s Profession, which was directed by Patrick Mason.

Among the attendees was RTE veteran Gay Byrne.

The play portrays a moving, gripping, and witty story set in Victorian times about the complex relationship between Vivie War-

ren (Rebecca O’Mara) and her mother Kitty (Sorcha Cusack), as she discovers how Kitty has funded her education through an unorthodox profession.

Interestingly, although Mrs. Warren’s Profession was written in 1893, it was originally banned due to its controversial content and was not given a public performance in London until 1925.

Gay Byrne and Kathleen Watkins at the opening of Mrs Warren’s Profession. Pictures: Sasko Lazarov

Sarah Colgan

18 April 2013 Gazette 11

fine dining P13

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

asdfsdaf P27 documentary P14



Gazette

diary P12

animal support: group aims to ease pressure

ISPCA is seeking runners for Flora mini marathon The ISPCA is urging women across Dublin to get their trainers on and support animals in need by running for them during this year’s Women’s Mini Marathon.

It is estimated that over 200 animals could benefit from the funds raised during the marathon.

The ISPCA has now embarked on a campaign to encourage teams running in the marathon to consider running for the

ISPCA and to help “Get Tails Wagging”.

“We know things are financially very difficult and are very conscious of the efforts people go to in raising funds for the ISPCA. We want to assure participants that every penny raised goes directly towards the care of an animal in our centres. In our national animal centre we have on average 150 animals onsite in our care between horses, ponies,

donkeys, dogs, cats, rabbits, pigs, goats and other small mammals – we are happy to say there will be a lot of “tails wagging” once the mini marathon is over,” said Carmel Murray, ISPCA. According to the ISPCA, there has been an unprecedentedly high level of animal cruelty cases, particularly in relation to dogs and this is stretching resources.

The ISPCA are under

immense pressure to get to these animals, rehabilitate them and find suitable loving homes for them. Any support is greatly appreciated.

Register for the mini marathon at http://www. f lorawomensminimarathon.ie and contact the ISPCA to register for a sponsorship page by emailing minimarathon@ispca.ie or call 043 33 25933 to pledge their support.

Model and actress Layla Flaherty will participate for the ISPCA in this years womens mini marathon

12 Gazette 18 April 2013

Gazette

dublinlife Communities call out to get involved in TidyTowns SuperValu retailers in Dublin are calling on communities across the county to get behind this year’s SuperValu TidyTow ns competition.

This year will be the 22nd year of SuperValu’s involvement and last year saw 33 entries from Dublin with Skerries winning the overall award.

Speaking at the launch, Martin Kelleher, managing director of SuperValu, said: “I would like to pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of people across the country who

have made this one of the longest running and most successful community initiatives in the world.

“I would encourage people to talk to their local SuperValu retailer or visit tidytowns.ie to find out more and realise the huge rewards in taking an active part in their community.”

The closing date for receipt of entries is May 23, 2013. Entry forms can be obtained from the TidyTowns Unit in the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Phone 071-

diary

9186744 or visit www. tidytowns.ie.

Shiseido National Gift event Shiseido is having its first National Gift with Purchase event in pharmacies nationwide from Monday, April 25 to Sunday, May 12.

With the purchase of two products, one to be skincare, you receive either a mini “The Skincare” 123 step kit or a mini Benefiance 123 step kit PLUS a mini NEW Bio-Performance Advanced Super Restoring Cream and a mini NEW Perfect Rouge Lipstick.

SuperValu retailers are calling on local communities to get behind this year’s SuperValu TidyTowns competition

In addition, the stores will be having a special promotion day with mini facials and makeovers.

Call into Kerins Pharmacy in Blackrock on May 10 or Phelan’s Pharmacy in Milltown on

May 8 when the events will be taking place.

get your gloves on for charity After the success of raising over €31,000 at last year’s event, White Collar Boxing returns and the ISPCC is this month looking to recruit 30 contenders, women and men, to get their gloves on in aid of the children’s charity.

Panic at the Disco is a six-week professional training programme of White Collar Boxing, culminating in one main “fight night” in the Dandelion Nightclub, St Stephen’s Green, on Friday, May 31.

Training for the event will commence on April 22, taking place in the National Boxing Stadium on Monday and

Wednesday nights for six weeks.

The fundraiser is a fun and challenging way for people to support the work of the ISPCC and no experience is needed. Olympian Cathal O’Grady will be keeping a watchful eye on all participants and offering expert advice and guidance.

Register by April 19 by calling 1850 50 40 50 or email rumble@ispcc.ie.

people power produces tayto bar A n a ti o n a s k e d “ W hy ? ”, a n d Tay t o answered “Why not?”

That’s in response to the much-anticipated arrival of the Tayto milk chocolate bar.

That’s right, the limited edition Tayto bar – containing both choco-

late and morsels of the much-loved cheese and onion crisps – has just been launched and is now available in Tayto Park in Ashbourne, Co Meath. The bar will also be stocked in selected retailers by the end of April.

To create the “perfect bar of chocolate”, Tayto teamed up with the chocolatiers at Butlers Chocolates making the new bar a truly Irish product.

“It’s a bit of fun, you will either love it or hate it, but our consumers asked for it and we said why not!” explained Ray Coyle, founder of Largo Foods.

“There are only 100,000 bars in circulation and it is now on the market because of people power – no doubt about it.”

18 April 2013 Gazette 13

dining: cut-price meals on offer

New website is celebrating all things food Irish food enthusiasts can now avail of cut-price meals at top restaurants, thanks to a new website.

TheDiningRoom.ie, Ireland’s newest foodie destination, was launched last week, promising to “offer food worshippers a dedicated online space to celebrate all things food in Ireland”.

The website was given the seal of approval by top chefs such as Derry Clarke, Kevin Thornton, Robbie Fox, Andrew Rudd, Tom Doorley and Ernie Whalley, as well as Operation Transformation guru Dr Eva Orsmond.

The website has already signed up an impressive list of restaurants, with representatives from the likes of Fallon and Byrne, L’Ecrivain, Diep Le Shaker, Pearl Brasserie, Rustic Stone and Fire Restaurant attending the launch.

TheDiningRoom. ie features restaurant reviews, exclusive offers and exciting content such as restaurant spotlights

and advice from a host of Ireland’s top food writers and guest contributors.

Already, a discounted menu for Michelin-starred restaurant L’Ecrivain proved a sellout in just hours.

The website promises to give visitors all the information they need, whether they are looking to dine out or dine in with exclusive recipes and video tutorials from top chefs such as Neven Maguire, Catherine Fulvio, Kevin Dundon and Derry Clarke.

According to Keith Mahon, managing director of TheDiningRoom. ie: “In Ireland we have so much talent, variety and - these days - value for money too, in our restaurants.

“We aim to showcase and celebrate these great restaurants and the people behind them, while making it easier for our readers to try them out.

We will have a great range of regular and guest contributors.”

TheDiningRoom.ie

users can view restaurant profiles and make bookings, as well as view menus to help them make an informed decision.

They can also try out some of the country’s best restaurants with exclusive tasting menus and offers.

TheDiningRoom.ie is backed by Pigsback.com, a 100% Irish-owned company with over 13 years in business and over 437,000 active users.

Michael Dwyer, chief executive of Pigsback. com said the company was “delighted” to back the venture.

“We’re delighted with our latest venture, TheDiningRoom.ie. The Irish restaurant scene is driven by some of our most gifted and creative people - great entrepreneurs and chefs. The sector has retained a vibrancy and creativity and is testimony to Ireland’s resilience and reinvention in these times. We are very proud to develop this showcase to the best of Irish restaurants.”

Roz Purcell, chef Derry Clarke and Rosanna Davison at L’Ecrivain Restaurant Dublin for the launch of TheDiningRoom.ie

We have 142,000* readers in dublin *based on standard industry measurements

advertise your business to our readers

call 60 10 240

Gazette

FEATURE

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14 Gazette 18 April 2013

dublinlife

IFTA winning documentary film maker, Jamie D’Alton from Rathfarnham

documentary: series shows life on estate

Jamie’s joy with TV show’s success

 Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com

IFTA-winning documentary film maker, Jamie D’Alton from Rathfarnham is riding high at the moment with a new and controversial three-part documentary airing on TV3, depicting life on the

Ballybeg Estate in Waterford City.

The Estate has been getting rave reviews in the press for its honest look at an Irish community’s struggle in the current recession. Jamie is part of award-winning Motive TV, the production company he runs with Anne McLoughlin and others. He previously filmed a documentary on children’s hospice, LauraLynn in Leopardstown, called No Time To Die which aired on RTE last month.

The Gazette spoke to the De La Salle, Churchtown past pupil about his career to date.

“We’ve had three documentaries aired in the last while on three different networks, RTE, TV3 and Setanta. We have to pitch our ideas to broadcasters and if they bite we get the cash to produce the documentary.

“Another source of revenue that has really helped us has been the

BAI [Broadcasting Association of Ireland] Sound and Vision Fund. We have tried to cover a variety of subjects on Irish life. Last year we did one called J1 Summer about students working abroad and we’ve filmed a lot of sports and entertainment documentaries too.

“We like to have a broad spectrum represented and as a documentary maker, I love to get the real stories, under the skin of people and this happens when they open up to you. It makes for amazing TV. Documentary has a very important part to play in Irish broadcasting and I suppose reality TV programmes are damaging to it in that broadcasters choose them because they are chasing big ratings.

“Yet, as a film maker, ratings are not part of my job to worry about.

The broadcaster has to make money though and I understand that. The

BAI, however, does make programmes that may not be commercially viable but they reflect real Irish life.”

D’Alton is always aware of the challenge of staying as impartial as possible while constructing his documentaries.

“It’s a criticism always thrown at documentary makers; the need for impartiality, but there always has to be someone making editorial judgements.

“However, we try to give the people room enough to breathe and give the film a light touch. I don’t like the Louis Theroux method, I think it’s better not to make yourself the centre of the story if possible.

It shows a lack of confidence in your audience when they feel they have to put in a personality as the focus.”

The third and final part of The Estate will air on TV3 on Monday, April 22.

18 April 2013 Gazette 15

A confidential telephone line that listens to the worries parents may have about their children, or themselves is touching on the subject of cyber bullying and offering parents a chance to find out more about the issue.

Parentline was set up more than 30 years ago to offer support, information and guidance to parents on any aspect of parenting in confidence and without judgement.

Last year alone, they received over 4,000 calls to their call centre, where volunteers listen and offer guidance.

On Tuesday, April 30, Parentline is hosting a seminar on protecting your child from cyber bullying. Parents can

learn about the dangers, become more aware of what kids are doing online and learn how to create parent controls.

“This is in response to parents’ fear and lack of understanding of what happens in the cyberworld. Children are much more cyber savvy than the parents and the purpose of this is to make the parents aware of what is out there and what they can do to protect their children,” Parentline chief executive, Rita O’Reilly said. This event takes place in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown at 7.30pm. Tickets cost €10.

Parentline deals with a variety of calls from parents, grandparents, people worried about friends

and others.

“It could be any question. We have 50 volunteers who cover the lines, they get training and counselling and listening skills before they go online.

“I always say, that when the volunteer, or facilitator, puts their hand on the phone they have no idea what is at the other end. It could be something like, I am wondering if I should put my four-year-old daughter’s name down for school, is she too young to go?

“Or it could be my child is a heroin addict – it could be absolutely anything. If it’s something that is bothering the parent, then they need to talk about it.

“Everybody is different, every child is different, every mammy and daddy is different. Situations change over the years so there is an opportunity for people in every situation to talk about it,” she continued.

The Parentline helpline is lo-call 1890927277 or 8733500 or see www.parentline.ie

Rita O’Reilly, Parentline chief executive

Gazette

Helpline tackles cyber bullying

FEATURES

Gazette

16 Gazette 18 April 2013

dublinlife

business

Q&A

Nader Gholizadeh, blue orchid restaurants

Serving up fresh ways to beat the recession NADER Gholizade, born in Iran, moved to Ireland in the late 90s after training in the UK within the hospitality sector. He is currently working as general manager of The Blue Orchid restaurants.

He has worked with the company since it opened the first Blue Orchid restaurant in Newtown ParkAvenue, Blackrock 12 years ago. Following its success,

Blue Orchid, Stepaside opened in 2011, which was followed by Ballinteer in 2013 with Teppanyaki.

His main role in the business is to ensure that the restaurants operate efficiently and profitably while maintaining their reputation and ethos. For further information, see www.blueorchid.ie, or telephone 01 296 6113.

How long have you been in business?

business to combat the effects of the recession?

For 12 years.

What makes your business successful?

Dedication, hard work and years of building a loyal clientele. In recent years, consistently offering value for money and looking after staff and clientele alike have become even more important than ever.

What do you offer your clients that differs from your competitors?

We care about the people as much as we care about what we put on the plate. All our floor staff are Thai, and are very caring by nature.

Good food, good wine and good service are a must, and we do our best to do it with a sense of style and good humour.

How has the recession impacted your business?

LocalMatters S u p p o r t l o c a l b u s i n e ss

Advertise with the Gazet te call 60 10 240

Let’s be honest – it has hurt us a lot. The market is more competitive, people are not going out as much nowadays, and when they do they are more careful about how much they spend.

Blue Orchid restaurants are open seven nights a week, but Sunday to Thursday can be quiet, while running costs are pretty much the same.

We are concentrating on the consistency of our product and service and, luckily, we have a strong, committed, loyal team.

What have you changed about your

We now offer an Early Bird menu all night, Sunday to Thursday, and from 5pm to 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays, offering three courses for €16.99.

We also offer guests the option to bring their own wine, for a modest corkage charge.

We constantly look to our suppliers for better prices, change our menus more frequently, and have lowered our profit margin.

What law or regulation would you change overnight to help your business?

Rent and rates – both are just too high!

How do you use social media (Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, etc) to help your business?

We have just launched a new website – www.blueorchid.ie – and have just started to introduce social media into the mix, so watch this space!

What is your ambition for the business?

To achieve a growth of 5-to-10% per year.

What is the best piece of business advice you ever received?

My dad told me as a young boy that a shopkeeper must have a broken foot, meaning he must be in his shop at all times. The same holds true for restaurants.

18 April 2013 Gazette 17

asdfsdaf P27 TRAVEl P24

MOTORS P22

OUT&ABOUT Never be out of the loop on what’s happening in Dublin! Let Out&About be your guide to all that is stylish, cultural and essential across the city and beyond this week

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Pets can you give delgato a new home?

Hail to the chief: Chuck D of Public Enemy describes the legendary, incendiary hip-hop group as “The Rolling Stones of rap”

interview: hip-hop legends public enemy and chuck d are coming to dublin

The hard rhymer returns...  rob heigh

When you look at the most influential acts in music over the years, and hiphop in particular, there is one act that will appear on every list.

Long Island rap legends Public Enemy were formed in 1982 by fledgling rapper, Carlton Ridenhour and his hype man, William Drayton. They went on to become two of the most recognisable and notable figures in the business under their pseudonyms: Chuck D and Flavor Flav.

PE’s combination of dense production and politically-charged rhymes puts them at the forefront of a more hard-edged, socially conscious style of rap than had previously been widely available, and sets them on collision course with the establishment, while

cementing their place in the hearts of rap fans everywhere.

Their 1988 release, It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back, sits comfortably in the upper ranks of many all-time greatest album lists, and influenced a generation of musicians, from Kurt Cobain to Jay Z. The band are on their way back to Dublin on April 21 for a date at the Button Factory, and I caught up with Chuck in the middle of Connecticut, on his way to give a talk on rap, race and reality at Western New England University in Massachusetts.

We started by talking about Public Enemy’s inauguration into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, which takes place this week.

“We heard we were being inducted when were on the Hip Hop Gods tour.

We were busy with what we were doing, and it was very welcome when it came through. It’s been a consistent 26 years of hard work.”

PE are only the fourth rap act ever to be inducted into the Hall Of Fame.

Being inducted is a massive achievement in itself, and recognition of rap’s place in musical history, but Chuck explained that there is a larger perspective to their induction.

“I want to be able to alleviate the feeling of ‘there goes the neighbourhood’. The rock n roll hall of fame is letting in all of these other genres and rappers. I’m trying to explain that music as a performance art started from a man or a woman playing the blues or singing the blues, they couldn’t express themselves any other way. You have to respect all the idioms

that came out of that background, and we are very fortunate to be allowed in.

We take it very seriously. At the same time, we didn’t wait for validation from anyone.

“We always felt that the groups were the best aspect of rock music or hiphop. Groups embody the elements that make it all happen. A band has to play together. I feel that rap music, a group of people who embody the elements that help make is happen in the first place, are a true representation of the art form. When you look at [rap’s previous inductees] Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Run DMC with Jam Master Jay and the Beastie Boys are all perfect examples of groups who went above and beyond.”

Continued on Page 23

The Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs.

Our Dog of the Week is dashing Delgato, an eightyear-old male Boxer. As a mature gentleman, he certainly knows how to treat a lady and is super polite on the lead, enjoying shorter walks than when he was a younger lad.

Delgato is a truly wonderful dog who would love to find a nice calm home where he can enjoy being part of a family for his retirement years. He really enjoys hanging out with other dogs, so would be happy is there was another dog in his new home, as well as big kids 10+. If you think you could give this handsome man a loving forever home 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/dogstrustireland or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE.

Gazette

18 Gazette 18 April 2013

OUT&ABOUT Illusion top €29.95

Neba blazer €16.95, available in red, diva pink, marine blue and grey Massol skirt €16.95 Cleovo five-pocket twill €29.95

Illusion dress €39.95

VILA la difference!

Gazette Style is always excited about news of a new clothing store opening and with the announcement that VILA is to open its fashion doors in Swords Pavilions on April 25, we jumped at the chance to see what they are offering wardrobes this season.

The team at VILA describe the label as being feminine yet edgy that allows ladies to dress to impress without compromising on style, quality and value.

Already it has eight retail stores in Ireland, and the Swords Pavilion store opening soon will be its newest flagship store on the emerald isle.

To celebrate the opening of this store, goodie bags will be given to the first 300 customers to walk through the VILA doors at the Pavilions which include Hourly Offers, 25% Off in store, VILA Cash Grabber, plus there will be amazing VILA offers throughout the weekend, so don’t miss out. The official open is on April 25 at 11am.

For further information follow them on twitter @VILAClothesIrel or Like them on Facebook@VILA Clothes.

Here are just some of VILA’s spring collection available now.

Ronja shorts high €21.95

18 April 2013 Gazette 19

Gazette

STYLE

Protect that pout with Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour nourishing lip balm

Ziaja has the perfect potion for all skin types No body is the same and we all have different skin issues that need some TLC so putting a spring in the step of skin this year is Ziaja body lotions with its four affordable lotions each working on crucial skin problems.

Cellulite, dry skin, stretch marks or skin that is just too sensitive, are issues that some of us can claim to suffer from.

Although there is no real cure for cellulite, the appearance of dimples can be lessened with a



good moisturiser.

T he Orange Body Butter Lotion from Ziaja features an orange butter base obtained from orange peel rich in bio-flavonoids that actively tighten and tone the skin.

Daily use of this lotion fights the peel and replenishes lipid deficits.

For very dry flaky skin try their Goats Milk Body lotion with its mild ultra-healing emollient (water in oil) suitable for eczema, psoriasis and

dermatitis sufferers.

Applied daily it minimises the discomfort of over dry, flaky skin and helps to reduce inflammation caused by eczema and psoriasis.

Meanwhile, the Cocoa Butter Lotion aims to improve the appearance of stretch marks and evens out skin tone. The cocoa butter ingredient not only moisturises but also improves skin elasticity and improves the colour of the skin.

For those with sensi-

tive skin, there is the Natural Avocado Oil Body Lotion which hydrates, soothes and calms redness and irritations. This avocado oil contains Omega 3 and 9, Vitamins A, B1, B2 and D. Each of these products deal with a different body issue, so choose the best that suits you.

Ziaja lotions are available to buy online www. originalbeauty.ie and from independent pharmacies nationwide.

Don’t forget to send in your style question for our Style Q&A with Littlewoods Ireland Ambassador, Caroline Morahan. The Star Question will win €50 voucher for Littlewoods Ireland. Email style@gazettegroup.com The next Q&A is out April 25.

We’ve all heard of Elizabeth Arden’s eight hour cream, used by celebrities, make-up artists and models across the world, this wonder cream is on a mission to make our lips nourished and shiny, another one to add to the make up bag.

The new Eight Hour cream nourishing lip balm contains SPF 20 and is the latest product to the beauty brands Eight Hour range. This luxurious balm is a beauty must have this summer, and will keep lips nourished, whilst indulging them with a sheer shine.

It is enriched with eight vitamins, minerals and nutrients and the moisturising gloss restores lips while also enhancing the lip colour for a natural and effortless pout this summer.

Providing daily moisture to quench dry and chapped lips, this sumptuous gloss shields the area from environmental damage with UVA and UVB broad-spectrum sun protection, whilst nurturing the delicate skin with its hydrating formula.

Proven clinical results show that after just one application, over 90% of women felt that their lips were moisturised eight hours after application.

This is an ideal travel accessory, whether you decide to holiday in the sun or in the city. Its something you won’t be able to leave behind. This product is presented in a portable squeeze tube with a slanted applicator. Eight Hour Cream Nourishing Lip Balm SPF 20 15ml squeeze tube costs €22 and will be available at Elizabeth Arden counters from June.

Protection from the sun with Anthelios Get sun protected and stay healthy, youthful with La Roche Posay.

Besides preventing sunburn, wearing a UVA/UVB sunscreen daily is defense against premature ageing, wrinkles, sun spots, and most importantly, skin cancer.

Skin damage from sunlight builds up with continued exposure, whether sunburn occurs or not. La RochePosay is the suncare range recommended by most European dermatologists - and the bottles match nicely with all your catwalk led neons For normal/dry skin try Anthelios XL Melt in Cream SPF50 RRP€17.75 Contains the highest level of UVA protection on the market and melts into the skin with no white marks.

For oily skin try Anthelios AC SPF30 RRP€19.50 High protection with a matte finish, ultra-fluid and light, it does not block pores.

Available from pharmacies nationwide.

Gazette

20 Gazette 18 April 2013

OUT&ABOUT

CINEMA

Theatre THE pavilioN THEATRE 01 231 2929 Oliver Reed Wild Thing

IN this blistering solo show, join legendary hellraiser Oliver Reed as he knocks back a few drinks and shares his incredible life story. From the boyhood excitement of learning he was a descendant of Peter the Great, through the success of Oliver, boozy adventures with Keith Moon and disastrous chat show appearances – this was a life well lived. Rob Crouch brings Reed back to vivid life in this swaggering, brilliant evening of entertainment. April 24, tickets €18/€16.

Draiocht 01 885 2622 Big Maggie

ANOTHER classic from one of Ireland’s best loved playwrights, John B. Keane’s play ‘Big Maggie’ is set in rural Ireland in the late 60’s. Maggie Polpin has just buried her husband, and after 30 years of suffering his waywardness, she sets about laying down the law for her grown up children. April 18, tickets €15.

Mill THEATRE Dundrum 01 296 9340 For Club and County

DESCRIBED as ‘a sure-fire hit’ Seamus O’Rourke’s latest play follows a desperate manager’s efforts to win the county football final and end their 23-year run of bad form. Their only hope lies with their dual star player Ritchie Browney. April 17 tickets are priced at €16/€14.

With HMV closed, the lads would go anywhere to get the latest Deerhunter release

review: a look at a the life of punk music pioneer terri hooley

Alternative Ulster Film of the Week: Good Vibrations h h h h (15) 103 mins

Good Vibrations is the

story of how Punk was brought to the people of Northern Ireland by Terri Hooley, idealist, music producer, record shop owner and socialist.

Terri lost his eye as a child and his glass eye is a striking motif used to much comic effect throughout the film as Terri’s idealistic view of the life is a lot more onesided and unmuddied than most.

Richard Dormer plays the rebellious Terri who has lost his faith since the hippie movement died off though he still plays DJ sets in an empty bar called the Harp.

Terri is looking for something to believe in and to belong to and he finds it all in the spanking new sound that is Punk in the late 70s.

The moment he hears it, in a small club in Belfast, he immediately feels part of something again in

Director: Lisa Barros D’Sa, Glenn Leyburn Starring: Richard Dormer, Jodie Whittaker, Dylan Moran, Mark Ryder, Andrew Simpson, Adrian Dunbar

 Bairbre ni bhraoinain

a landscape as bleak and unconsoling as Northern Ireland was then.

Terri’s record shop becomes a Mecca for local Punk bands and fans and he became known at the Godfather of Punk in Northern Ireland.

So devoted was he to the young band members who flocked around his shop, that he became a record producer to get their songs on vinyl.

Scenes with around 30 punks sitting on the floor of a tiny record shop following Terri’s origami instr uctions on how to fold a single cover out of paper are some of the most memorable I’ve ever seen.

OUR VERDICT:

A thoroughly satisfying experience in a really old-fashioned sense.

You go away feeling genuinely pleased to have been on the side of Terri and on the side of right, we all need something to believe in, even if it’s only Punk.

Barros D’Sa and Leyburn deliver on the source material in generous amounts.

Terri was a champion of these young punks to a very sacrificial degree.

His own marriage suffered and he was perpetually on the border of losing his shirt, but none of it mattered because Terri had a cause to fight for.

The most famous band he helped to get out into the public arena was, of course, The Undertones.

Having failed to get their seminal tune, Teenage Kicks, played on any of the radio stations, Terri took drastic action and went in person to London and the BBC.

He left the single in at reception for John Peel to listen to and the rest is history.

The Undertones went on to be the huge success they were but Terri continued to strive for Belfast punk bands like Rudi and the Outcasts.

The last scene of the film sees Terri onstage with his punk children, speaking to the crowd about what Punk means to him. “New York has the haircuts. London has the trousers. But Northern Ireland has the reason!”

Good Vibrations is a BBC/Bord Scannan na

hEireann collaboration, directed by Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn and starring Richard Dormer and Jodie Whittaker.

There are also appearances by Adrian Dunbar and K illian Scott (Love/Hate) who is a real live wire as the peroxide-headed front man of Rudi and the Outcasts with convulsive rhythm.

Terri Hooley, he of the incredibly apt name, is one of those insatiable optimists, whose spirit, even in the midst of the worst and most discouraging conditions, can never be dampened.

Such people are rare and so is an actor like Richard Dormer.

The film, quite simply belongs to him and his performance is full of the inexhaustible energy such an idealistic depiction demands.

He is a revelation.

18 April 2013 Gazette 21

Gazette

GAMING industry: hopes tech will reinvigorate slow market

Will new consoles shake off malaise?

IN A break from games reviews, following the onslaught of triple-A titles recently (news that my eyes and wallet are doubtless grateful to hear), comments by an influential gaming figure caught my eye and are, indeed, useful in showing the state of uncertainty found throughout much of the games industry at present.

As a key figure within top games company BioWare, Dr Greg Zeschuk was one of this current generation of consoles’ leading lights, in terms of not just creating games but also in terms of providing insight into gaming in general, as it matures as a cross-generational activity.

However, although he (and fellow BioWare founder, Dr Ray Muzkya) left the company last Sep-

 shane dillon sdillon@gazettegroup.com

tember, and retired from gaming, Dr Zeschuk has continued to offer occasional thoughts on what seems next for gaming, and what future developments might hold.

In this case, his thoughts on where the industry is going next caught my attention and, presumably, the attention of lots of people in the industry.

As to his credentials, under Dr Zeschuk and Dr Muzkya, Bioware nur tured its reputation as a studio with a great interest in story, script and characters

BYTES&PIECES

electronic arts is number one ...

“Worst Company in America” accolade for publisher

Dr Greg Zeschuk, formerly of top games company, BioWare: “Everyone’s kind of holding out hope for the new consoles”

– qualities that tend not to be focused on as much as, say, sheer processing power, or grunt under the hood of a gaming platform.

Speaking to GamesIndustry International, he said: “Everyone’s kind of holding out hope for the new consoles, but I honestly don’t think they’re going to be that big a deal.

“I worry a lot that unless Microsoft or Sony pull something magically out of a hat, it’s pretty much the same old, same old repackaged and I don’t think

BYTES&PIECES fans can go batty for arkham sequel Don’t get in a flap as I wing it with Batman puns ...

IN AN announcement that probaby wouldn’t even have surprised a small dog, a sequel to the extremely successful Batman: Arkham games has just appeared, with some initial shots from Batman: Arkham Origins flying around the internet quicker than a batarang at midnight.

For now, B:AO has pretty much what you’d expect from a sequel to a sequel – a setting twice the size of the last game, some new gadgets for aspiring bat-ectives to get to grips with, some new environments and a host of baddies from across the DC universe, all looking to give Bats a hard time across Gotham City.

B:AO is due out on all the usual gaming platforms on October 25.

they’re going to change the dynamic of the retail market.

“The console core sales are slowing significantly – you can’t get around that fact.”

Impact While, of course, such words are the opinion of an individual, rather than, say, the conclusion of an industry-wide study or government paper, they still raise the spectre that nothing is set in stone – that although extremely powerful consoles are on the horizon, nobody’s quite sure just what impact they’ll have, or how soon they can turn around the malaise that’s crept into gaming in the past five years.

For example, as recently reported here, and elsewhere, even triple-A titles can’t guarantee a smash hit at retail any more, with the criticically-praised Tomb Raider pulling in decent sales rather than having spectacular success.

A dozen other heavily promoted games with high expectations – and disappointing returns – could also be listed there, with the same common theme of the certainty that once surrounded the elite” top tier of games being a sure-fire sales (and financial) success no longer existing.

With the next wave of consoles set to have pretty spectacular gaming capabilities – for the studios that can unlock them – it’s still a cause for concern that, a few curios aside, there doesn’t yet seem to be anything particularly innovative in the pipeline in terms of, y’know, the games.

Perhaps it’s this kind of concern that saw Dr Zeschuk apparently underwhelmed by where the industry is heading, despite the shiny appeal of the incoming consoles.

However, one year or so from now, Dr Zeschuk and all of us should have a much clearer idea of what’s changed.

WITH the news that Electronic Arts had been awarded the title of Worst Company in America in a poll by The Consumerist – a mostly US-orientated consumer affairs blog – its chief operating officer Peter Moore (above) was quick out of the traps to defend the company, as well as nodding at some of the issues that have seen negative headlines popping up recently.

Beating the likes of old reliables Walmart, AT&T, Sears and Ticketmaster, EA saw off competition from a wide range of American finance, retail and technology firms to come out on top as – apparently, if a little tongue-in-cheek – American consumers’ worst company.

In response to the unusual accolade, Moore said: “I’ll be the first to admit that we’ve made plenty of mistakes. These include server shutdowns too early, games that didn’t meet expectations, missteps on new pricing models and most recently, severely fumbling the launch of SimCity. We owe gamers better performance than this.”

Given that it’s the second year in a row EA claimed the title, whatever about the reasons that may have influenced voting – with Moore suggesting that everything from players angry at choice of game covers, to people annoyed at some EA titles facilitating potential gay characters or storylines, affecting voting – it’ll be interesting to see if EA can pull off the hat trick of three such wins in a row, once next year’s competition rolls around ...

low operating profit reported by htc HTC One roll-out problems add to first quarter woes

BAD news for HTC watchers, with the news that the Taiwanese smartphone maker made an operating profit of just NT$43m (basically, not so far off one million euro) in the quarter to March.

With the smartphone market rapidly settling down into a boxing match between just a couple of prominent brands such as Apple and, increasingly, Samsung, HTC has been hit with a few sharp blows, weakening its profits and reducing its consumer visibility.

For example, despite its new flagship HTC One phone being apparently the bee’s knees, a sudden shortage of cameras turned out to be a giant spanner in the works, seeing the HTC One rolled out in just three countries in that important quarter, rather than in the 80 countrues that had been planned.

Despite the quality of the new HTC One, such a weak operating profit, coupled with a somewhat hobbled launch, would be cause for concern for any business, adding to the pressure for HTC – and chief executive Peter Chou – to get back in the ring and show it’s still a contender ...

22 GAZETTE 18 April 2013

GAZETTE

&ABOUT OUT road

MOTORS

NOISE

Dacia range available at Michael Grant Motors THE shockingly affordable Dacia range is now available at Michael Grant Motors on Strand Road in Dublin 4. Having taken the global car market by storm recently, the arrival of Dacia in Ireland has shaken things up - a lot! At a time when prices seem to be climbing for almost everything else, Dacia has brought a refreshing smart-buy concept to Ireland and is one of the most exciting motor stories of the year. At Michael Grant Motors you can test drive the new Dacia Duster family crossover, from €15,990 and the new Dacia Sandero 5-door supermini, which you can order from €9,990!

Michael Grant, dealer principal: “Dacia is one of the fastest growing brands in Europe and the fastest growing network in Ireland due to its affordable and reliable vehicles and we are delighted to represent the brand in South Dublin. We encourage people to come in and test drive this exciting new range and experience the Dacia phenomenon for themselves. Dacia Finance is also available to those looking.”

Seated: Rory Doogan, Zone manager, Dacia Ireland; Mike and Michael Grant. Back row: Yann LeGraet, brand manager and Lynne Boucher, product manager Dacia Ireland

The first ever booted A3 begins the brand’s foray into the world’s largest market segment - the compact saloon class

AUDI: NEW RANGE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ORDER THIS SUMMER

Audi A3 and S3 saloons set to impact Irish market  CORMAC CURTIS

MAZDA’S PRIZE FOR GREAT PRODUCT DESIGN: IN a number of recent road tests, including one for the Mazda6 Tourer, I made the point of complimenting Mazda on their new design approach, I may have even got a little carried away, such was my enthusiasm. But my appreciation has been backed up as the brand has scooped a serious award in the design world. The all-new Mazda6 has been honoured with a 2013 red dot award, capturing the internationally-recognised prize for outstanding product design. It is yet another accolade for Mazda’s striking

new flagship and the company’s revolutionary “KODO – Soul of Motion” design theme. The 37-head jury of independent design experts, who judged entries according to nine criteria, honoured the KODOinspired Mazda6 for qualities such as its high level of design innovation. “We were aiming with the new Mazda6 to awaken the observer’s senses and turn heads with an uncompromising balance and proportion that instantly makes one want to get in the car and drive,” says Peter Birtwhistle, chief designer at Mazda’s European R&D Centre.

THE Audi A3 is already famed for offering the finish and feel of an executive car, and as if to emphasise the point, it now has the boot to complete the impression.

The new A3 Saloon range will be available for order this summer, closely followed by the 300HP, quattro all-wheel-drive S3 Saloon. The first ever booted A3 begins the Vorsprung durch Technik brand’s foray into the world’s largest market segment – the compact saloon class.

The A3 Saloon slickly integrates more seats-up load space than the A3 Sportback, with similar ample passenger accommodation and performance, the latter helped

by Audi ultra lightweight construction processes

that trim weight to as little as 1,205kg. Prices will be confirmed before ordering opens at the end of the summer.

Its design is a cross between the classic three-box concept and the coupe philosophy.

The “tornado line” design element forms a distinct light-refracting edge that runs over the entire side. The overhangs are short. The four-door car has a 2.64-metre-long wheelbase and an overall length of 4.46 metres.

At the front, the bonnet contours, bumper and air intake design and the single frame grille have been redefined for the newcomer, while at the rear, lights with broad and low cuts emphasize the car’s horizontal lines and an integrated “kicked-up” boot spoiler lends a purposeful air.

The boot carr ying capacity amounts to 425 litres with the seats up – 45 litres more than the A3 Sportback. This capacity can be increased by folding down the split rear seat backs. The boot lid fully swings upward when unlocked.

The strict dictate of Audi ultra lightweight design is evident in the 1,205kg kerb weight, which applies to the A4 1.4 TFSI Saloon that initially kicks off the range.

Audi uses many hotformed steel parts in the passenger compartment for low weight and maximum strength, and the aluminium bonnet and front suspension subframe also help to lighten the load.

The low 100kg weight of the 1.4 -litre TFSI 140HP engine is also notable for its efficien-

cy-focused Cylinder on Demand technology.

At low engine load, the system deactivates two cylinders to minimise mechanical effort and cut fuel consumption. As a result, combined economy tops out at a TDIrivalling 3.9l/100km, while CO2 is pared back to 109g/km which will sit in VRT band A3.

Just a few months after the launch of the new saloon model series, Audi will introduce the top model – the S3 Saloon. The 2.0-TFSI produces 300HP and 380 Nm of torque. Its high-performance fourcylinder engine combines highly advanced efficiency technologies – dual fuel injection, exhaust manifold integrated in the cylinder head, the Audi valvelift system and a rotar y

valve module for thermal management.

This version of the Audi S3 Saloon, paired with the S tronic, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds; with the manual transmission it takes 5.3 seconds.

Orna Conway, general manager of product and marketing at Audi Ireland commented: “The arrival of these models will be hugely important to Audi, both on a global scale and to Audi Ireland, as they will mark the entrance of the brand in to the largest segment for the first time.

“Those interested in the all-new A3 Saloon will be able to place their order this summer, with the S3 following a few months later, and we expect both models to make a significant impact in the Irish market.”

18 April 2013 BLANCH gazette 23

A nation of millions can’t hold you back

Continued from Page 17

Chuck D has been a fervent advocate of alternative ways of distributing music, and PE were at the forefront of using the internet as a way of selling their music and interacting with their fans since the late 90s.

The digital release of last year’s pair of albums, Most Of My Heroes Still Don’t Appear on No Stamp and The Evil Empire Of Everything, was accompanied by the launch of Spit Digital, a digital distributor and aggregator of content that Chuck hopes will inspire other independent artists to form and become their own record labels, distributing their music online through SPITdigital channels.

“PE have been independent, releasing albums on their own terms since 1999, and we’ve never looked back,” said Chuck.

“We started Spit Digital as something where we wanted to help artists. We wanted to say to them that they didn’t need to be getting into a zone where they were releasing mixtapes or putting their music on

 ROB heigh rheigh@gazettegroup.com

Soundcloud, or all those places; you want to be getting into what it is for real. So we encourage artists to start their own record labels, and don’t try to get discouraged.

You can’t get discouraged by [sales] numbers - they’re created by corporations and companies, and they cast an ugly shadow over what artists are trying to do.”

“I am approached by a lot of young artists who basically say, ‘Chuck, listen to my music’. They’ve tried some other approaches to get their music heard.

There are other aggregators out there, but they feel they can’t reach a service area that will service their dreams and their soul.

“We want to be able to say, we have a range of services - like Rap Station and Hip Hip Gods - that allows them to get into aggregation, that gets them into iTunes

Public Enemy: Chuck D, Flavor Flav and Professor Griff with the S1W

and Amazon, and Spotify and other digital stores around the world.“ Chuck D was involved in a fascinating discussion at the recent SXSW festival with ParliamentFunkadelic’s iconic bassist, Bootsy Collins, about how both men came up from their local communities to become international acts, and the power of collective action in effecting cultural and social change.

Their shared local experience and supporting local artists is something very close to Chuck’s heart.

“I had a meeting in Long Island yesterday, with a hometown friend and hero talking about

an artist he was cultivating. I said that he had to become a label for this young man, give him guidance and give him part of the love.

“Teamwork is what [delivers results], being a part of your community.

We need to be in a position to be able to practice our artforms, and fight for areas of service that help local artists.

One of the biggest things I want to do would be to free the airwaves from corporate hold so local artists that can be heard.

This could be a worldwide fight.”

“If local artists are given the chance to really grow, it can assist with the nationalisation

of culture, radio and music.”

As far as regards Public Enemy’s return to Dublin, Chuck explained that he has very fond memories of Ireland.

“We first played in Dublin in 1988, in the springtime, at Trinity University. The show was around 5.30 in the morning, but before that, we played this small club in Dublin, and it was some real hip-hop shit, it was dope. We have a good heads-up of what the spirit of the Irish fans is about, and we can’t wait to get back.”

Public Enemy play The Button Factory on April 21.

Gazette

interview: public enemy frontman on united action and rap

MUSIC FASTtunes with Radio Nova’s Dee Woods

A banquet of Bowie Fine wine, some cheeses, George Clooney all these things get better with age, but none more than David Bowie.

At 66 years of age and following 45 years in the business, the legendary singer is showing no signs of slowing down.

Bowie’s 2013 has so far consisted of him blitzing the music world with his first album in a decade, and his most successful in 30 years. The Next Day went top of the charts in many countries, including Ireland, while the David Bowie Is exhibition at London’s Victoria and Albert became the museum’s fastest-selling show in history before it even opened last month.

Now, Bowie’s sixth album celebrates its 40th anniversary with a remaster.

Aladdin Sane came out in 1973, hot on the heels of the massive The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars.

Its title is another one of Bowie’s characters and implying the singer is indeed ‘a lad insane’ — a label he’s been given by many over the years, and one he seems to embrace.

Aladdin Sane boasts one of the most iconic album covers of all time: the infamous head shot of Bowie with his eyes closed, sporting spiked hair and a red and blue lightning bolt across his face.

It was written while Bowie was still out on the road supporting the Ziggy album and, today, his fans are hoping The Thin White Duke will take to the road once again with his latest record,.

According to rumours from the Bowie camp, chances are 50-50.

While you’re waiting you can always check out the Ziggy Stardust album being performed live at Sweeney’s, Dame St on April 24th. Nova Nights’ listeners voted it this month’s Radio Nova Classic Album live, with Blue Moon Beer. The gig kicks off at Sweeney’s at 10pm on the Wednesday, the 24th - face paint not included!

Dee Woods presents Nova Nights on Radio Nova Mon-Fri 7pm-12am & Sundays 12-2pm Follow her on Twitter @radeeoh

GAZETTE

24 BLANCH GAZETTE 18 April 2013

OUT&ABOUT

TRAVEL

fast

TRAVEL

Cruise holiday show will help you find the perfect holiday

WHETHER you fancy setting sail for paradise on a Caribbean coast, sailing past the silent fjords of Alaska, or enjoying a cultural stop-off at one of your favourite European cities, the upcoming cruise holiday show hosted by e-Travel.ie should help you make some decisions.

The exclusive cruise event will feature a number of cruise companies such as Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, Norwegian Cruiseline, Carnival Cruises, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises and Silversea Cruise Line.

The event will feature fun-filled, action-packed holidays for the whole family on board luxury ships bursting with amenities such as rock climbing

walls, ice skating rinks, on board surf parks, great nightlife, shopping, Aquaspas and worldwide cuisine.

Or discover six-star cruising on board smaller, unique ships that can sail into some of the most beautiful places on earth. The event will take place on Sunday, April 21, from 12-5pm at the Red Cow Moran Hotel.

Scotland’s Big 5 consist of the golden eagle, red deer, red squirrel (above), harbour seal (inset) and otter, which are all indigenous and iconic species to Scotland

ADVENTURE: WILDLIFE-WATCHING TRIP WITH A DIFFERENCE

The natural way to unwind in Scotland  NATALIE BURKE nburke@gazettegroup.com

FOR many, taking the time out to unwind by getting up close and personal to nature is something we can easily do in Ireland. With the launch of Scotland’s Big 5 holidays, however, it means that just across the pond is a special wildlife holiday offering a wildlife watching trip away with a difference. It has turned it into an adventure that can be enjoyed by everyone.

You will see lots of different species but it’s not necessarily a list-ticking trip - it’s a multi-activity week with short walks, boat trips and even a half day sea kayaking with seals.

As most of us are aware, Scotland is one of the most stunning places

in the world to go wildlife watching and for the Year of Natural Scotland 2013, Visit Scotland – the Scottish national tourism board – and Scottish Natural Heritage – have united to promote Scotland’s incredible flora and fauna.

The Year of Natural Scotland is a celebration showcasing Scotland’s natural beauty, breathtaking scenery, delicious food and drink and incredible wildlife.

Scotland’s Big 5 consist of the golden eagle, red deer, red squirrel, harbour seal and otter, which are all indigenous and iconic species to Scotland.

Stunning landscapes and natural beauty set the scene for wildlife experiences and whether it is along the rugged coastline, in one of Scotland’s National Parks, on one

of Scotland’s 790 islands or even in cities such as Edinburgh or Glasgow, Scotland’s Big 5 never seem to be too far away.

Some of the top wildlife experiences in Scotland include Mull Charters, a husband and wife operation voted number two in wildlife experience

by Tripadvisor. Located on the Island of Mull, wildlife watchers can get close to the fourth largest sea eagle in the world, the Whitetale sea eagle, whose wingspan is over eight feet.

Or why not visit the five-star discovery centre at the Scottish Seabird Centre, located in East Lothian. Visitors can learn about the life of seabirds and their conservation and, after a visit to the centre, visitors can visit the largest single island gannet colony in

the world by boat, Bass Rock, home to 150,000 gannets in the summer.

It was once described as one of the Twelve Wildlife Wonders of the World by David Attenborough.

Visitors to Knapdale Forest might catch sight of families of beavers who were first introduced to the forest in 2009. On a free weekly guided walk, visitors will be taken to feeding sights and dams to see the beavers. Or if it’s taking to the water that you would prefer, why not step on board a whale-watching cruise.

Responsible Travel is a travel company which organises tailor-made wildlife watching tours on the Isle of Mull.

For attraction and accommodation offers go to www.visitscotland. com.

18 April 2013 BLANCH GAZETTE 25

DUBLIN GAZETTERECRUITMENT MEDICAL FIELD

SALES REP (MUNSTER)

JobDescription We require a Medical Sales Representative with a minimum of 3 years’ experience on territory to cover a vacancy on one of our existing dedicated teams promoting a range of high profile products for leading blue chip companies, covering The South of Ireland.

Key Responsibilities •Maximise sales of products and increase market share of these products.

•Continuously demonstrate strong 1:1 selling skills in accordance with Clients expectations.

•Identify and action new opportunities which will drive business.

•Analyse,plan, implement and review the Local Health Economy Plans to ensure highest ROI. •Demonstrate a high level of teamwork at all times sharing best practice.

Essential Skills •Excellent planning and organisational skills •Strong selling skills •High levels of communication •Ability to understand and excel in a challenging environment •A thorough understanding of the HSE. •Evidence of a successful sales track record.

•Strong teamwork skills •A Minimum of 3 years’ experience in the Pharmaceutical Industry Benefits / Package Successful candidates can also expect an excellent package including a competitive Salary, + Bonus, Company Car, Pension, Private Healthcare, Daily Allowance and a Phone Allowance.

Please forward your CV to anna@gplocumhealth.ie

Hedge Fund Accountant Fund Accountant required for Dublin City Centre based company who are expanding and looking for good quality staff.

This is a great opportunity to work in a progressive company.

Role: Ideal candidate must have 1 - 2 years experience in all aspects of fund accounting: •Trade Capture •Reconciliations cash/portfolios •Corporate Actions•Pricing •Fees/Accruals/Expenses and related DR/CR accounting entries •Preparation of NAV Skills: •Excellent communication skills; •Attention to detail/ability to work with figures; •Excellent logic and figuring out skills; •Ability to build good working relationships; •Very good IT skills-Excel/Word/Outlook; •Organised & ability to meet deadlines; •Positive/outgoing •Flexible to meet business demands; •Team work & independently; •3rd level financial qualification Please forward your CV for immediate consideration to careers@stifsc.ie No Recruiters please

UI/UX Designer. Dublin Southside.

One of the fastest growing companies in Ireland’s telecoms industry is looking for an experience UI/UX designer.

Essential Skills •5+ Years experience in UI/UX design for customer facing websites •3+ Years experience working with flash, HTML, Adobe CS, CSS, JavaScript AND HTML5 •1+ Years experience working on mobile and facebook apps •Must have EU passport •Fluent English at International Level.

If interested in the above position please forward your CV to Anita@appsandroid.ie No Agency assistance please Nurse Manager - Elderly Care South Dublin

We are seeking to recruit an Analyst Programmer for a 12 month contract. The role involves support and development of existing and new system processes.

Duties & Responsibilities: • Design of system changes • Development of systems to specification using structured techniques • System and integration testing • Support and maintenance of live systems • Providing support to users Essential Skills Required: • Oracle 10g Developer Suite - Forms & Reports • SQL • PL/SQL • Oracle Application Express • VB and .NET • Pro*C • Crystal Reports • Pre-formatted File extraction and loading using PL/SQL • Experience on some Source control system. (VSS etc) Skills & Attributes: • Minimum 5 Years+ Oracle Developer Suite Experience • Capability of experience of producing clear and concise documentation • Knowledge and working experience of relational database design • Analysis and problem solving skills • Customer focused with excellent interpersonal skills • Communicate effectively with management, users and other IT team members • Work to tight deadlines whilst meeting customer expectations • A relevant third level qualification is desirable.

This elderly care facility in South Dublin are looking for a Nursing Home Manager for their facility in Blackrock to ensure the home delivers a commercially viable quality services which meets HSC, legislative and organisational requirements.

If Interested in this role and available for immediate interview please forward your CV for consideration to matron@homecarehealth.ie

Salary for this position is up to € 70,000 per annum

AIRLINE PILOT TRAINING Training Airline Pilots since 1979 Next course starts 6th May Strictly limited to 12 students Pre-entry assessments, all training in Dublin area, staged payments.

Weston Airport Leixlip Co Kildare Contact: PH: 01 621 7333 | WEB: www.nfc.ie

For all Recruitment please contact Fidelma on 01 651 6239 or at fclarke@gazettegroup.com

26 BLANCH GAZETTE 18 April 2013

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18 April 2013 BLANCH Gazette 27

kick it out P29

gaelic games P27 P31 asdfsdaf

dublinsport Let the Gazette keep you up to date with all the best local sporting action from around the city as we cover all the stories that matter to you and your community



Gazette

soccer P28

FastSport bray races sees local winners:

Leinster out-half Ian Madigan wih Conor O’Neill and Adam Klug at the launch of the campaign at Kill O’ The Grange primary school in Deansgrange

schools: programmes in developing world to benefit from dublin-wide event

Get active with GOAL and play for charity in fundraiser CHARITY group, GOAL, is calling on schools from all over Dublin to take part in a new multi-sport event next month that provides all pupils, from junior infants right up to Leaving Certificate level, with the opportunity to compete against each other in a range of events.

The fundraiser hopes to boost fitness levels amongst children and teenagers, and also raise money and awareness for some of GOAL’s programmes for vulnerable children throughout the developing world.

This challenge is being supported by the Active School Flag Initiative, a

Department of Education and Skills initiative that encourages schools to keep students fit and healthy, and it is one of the suggested activities for this year’s Active School Week.

Already Harold Boys N.S. in Dalkey, Trinity Comprehensive School in Ballymun and St. Conleth’s in Ballsbridge are taking part, and GOAL is hopeful that many more teachers and students across the county will recognise the benefits of the challenge and sign up.

The event can be staged anytime during the month of May, and kids can take on the teachers in ball games and tug o’

war, or compete against each other in running races, relays, skipping, jumping, football, long kick and many other activities.

The event was launched recently by Leinster rugby star, Ian Madigan.

“I think it’s really important for children to stay fit, and to understand what life is like for people living in some of the poorest parts of the world,” said Madigan.

“The GOAL Sports Challenge is a great idea and I have no doubt it will help teachers and organisations like GOAL achieve both of those things.”

GOAL CEO, Barry Andrews said: “GOAL has always used sport as a means to help educate children about poverty. We are encouraging schools from all over the country to get involved, sign up and help us tell young people about some of the big issues taking place in the poorest parts of the world.”

Schools can run their GOAL Sports Challenge at any stage before the end of the school term.

For schools interested in signing up, e-mail schools@goal.ie, or contact Alan Vard at GOAL on 01 2809 779. Log on to www.goal.ie for more information.

Paula Prendergast from Dundrum and Neil Wiktorski from Bray were first past the post in the opening Gaelforce event, the Bray 10km run, last week.

450 hardy competitors tacked the course, which started on Greystones beach to the finish line at Bray Promenade, running across sandy beaches, rough tracks, pavements and tough terrains.

The first event of the Gaelforce calendar is used by many as a training exercise ahead of the next event, the Gaelforce Connemara Adventure challenge which takes place on May 11.

For more information, log onto www. gaelforceevents.com.

c o n ta c t s Sports Editor: Rob Heigh rheigh@gazettegroup.com

For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@gazettegroup.com Phone: 01 651 6205

Gazette

28 BLANCH Gazette 18 April 2013

SPORT

FastSport schools invited to join sevens contest: The inaugural Inter7s.com seven a side soccer tournament for schools will kick off on May 12 at Pembroke Rovers in Ballsbridge.

Schools are invited to enter teams of ten, which can be made up of teachers and parents to compete for prizes for the winning school. The winning team members will win a trip for ten to a Premier League match in Britain.

There will be prizes for the winners and runners-up, as well as for top scorer, top keeper and player of the tournament.

Tournament director Emmet Switzer, from Inter7s said: “With funding been cut in education, and school budgets stretched like never before this tournament is a fun way to win some much needed money for the winning school.”

For more information, contact Liam Murray at liam@ intersevens.com or log on to www.intersevens.com.

soccer: republic side pipped to next phase by sweden defeat

U-19 ladies miss out on Euro finals  sport@gazettegroup.com

The Republic of Ireland Women’s U19s team’s UEFA Championship dreams ended in bitter disappointment last week after losing their final group game to title holders Sweden in the Netherlands.

Ireland entered the game as table leaders

having beaten Italy and hosts Netherlands in their two previous ties, and needed a draw to secure qualification for the finals this summer.

Despite starting the game well and dominating play in the first half, a second half goal resulting from a fumble between Ireland’s two centre halves and goal-

keeper Jillian Maloney turned the game around.

A rejuvenated Swedish side then began to regain confidence, and added insult to Irish injur y with another goal by Pauline Hammarlund in the 84th minute, crushing Irish dreams of qualification.

Ireland created many

Ireland’s Under-19 team ahead of their match against Sweden

Ireland’s Under-19 women had impressively defeated both Italy and the Netherlands in their two opening matches

chances, with captain Denise O’Sullivan at the helm of most goal attempts, but she was unlucky not to change the scoreboard in Sportpark Tanthof–Zuid.

Ireland were rocked by two injuries from their more experienced players Rianna Jarrett and Clare Shine before the game, and ultimately paid the price as a result. Sarah Rowe was also sidelined after coming down with a virus. She made a brief appearance for the girls in green in the second half, before being substi-

tuted by Kelly Halligan in the 89th minute.

Speaking after the game, head coach Dave Connell spoke ruefully of the result: ‘We are hugely disappointed with today’s result, but it wasn’t to be for us unfortunately. We can all be extremely proud of ourselves however, and beating two big football nations in the group is a great achievement.

“All we can do now is build from this and move on. We’ll still have 12 of this year’s squad eligible next year,

so the future is bright.

The girls can hold their heads high.’

Having come through the first phase of the qualifying competition in some style, defeating Cyprus, Latvia and Serbia, there was hope t h a t I r e l a n d wo u l d deliver the goods again that would see them take part in the finals in Wales this summer.

There is one qualifying place left for the highest ranked second place team with the best record against the sides first and third in their pool.

Jogging for Jack And Jill in Terenure five-mile Leinster Rugby star Eoin O’Malley is calling on local athletes to get into training for the 2013 Terenure Five Mile run, which takes place on Sunday, May 19, in aid of the Jack And Jill Children’s Foundation.

The Terenure Five Mile, formerly known as the Dublin 5 mile classic and run over what is probably the flattest course in the city, is now in its 29th year.

Organised by Sports-

world Running Club and with over 1,100 participants last year, this event raised €15,000 for charity.

Jack And Jill’s charity partner, Zurich Insurance, are the main sponsor of this year’s race, and Jack And Jill patron Eddie Hobbs will officially start the race at 11am.

This year’s race will also include a schools challenge, a triathlon challenge and a corporate challenge. Registration

for group entries is €18 per person for groups of 6 or more, and registration for schools is €120 per school, which includes up to 10 pupils.

Participants are asked to register online on www. terenure5mile.com. The race has an entry fee of €20, and there are downloadable forms for groups and individuals to enter available online.

The Jack And Jill Children’s Foundation was founded by Jonathan

Irwin and his wife Senator Mar y Ann O’Brien and is based on their own experience caring for their son Jack at home until he passed away in December 1997.

This experience became the blueprint for the Jack & Jill model of home nursing care which supports 300 severely disabled children and their families in Ireland today and has helped over 1,600 families since 1997, including over Eoin O’Malley, with Sportsworld Running Club members Ciara Foster, Breda Browne and Valerie Lacey Power 400 children in Dublin.

18 April 2013 BLANCH Gazette 29

Gazette

Kicking racism into touch for good

Show Racism The Red Card uses well-known sports stars and a positive message to combat intolerance and bigotry through educational and sporting programmes Last week at the Aviva Stadium, Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence Alan Shatter was on hand to present awards to young people from around Dublin and Ireland to acknowledge their work in combating racism.

The event, organised

by Show Racism the Red Card (SRTRC), marked the culmination of the charity’s creative competition, which called for young people to develop creative messages about racism and integration using written, visual and audiovisual means.

Over 140 schools and youth services participated with more than 500 young people from 25 different schools attending the awards ceremony.

With the organisation reporting that some 36% of Irish people have no

 rob heigh sport@gazettegroup.com

contact with non-Irish nationals, SRTRC’s inclusive campaign that partners with those involved in education and sport aims to promote integration and stamp out racism.

Sporting figures in attendance on the day included Leinster and Ireland scrum-half Eoin Reddan, Dublin GAA stars Jason Sherlock, Phil McMahon and Cliodhna O’Connor and Bosnianborn women’s basketball star, Indira Kaljo, who plays for Meteors.

Speaking about the aims of the event and

the organisation, SRTRC coordinator Garrett Mullan explained the purpose of the campaign.

“The principle of show racism the red card is to harness the profile of sport stars to convey an anti-racism education message to young people.

“The sports stars who came along were appropriate models in the sense that often football, rugby, soccer are mass participation sports, and are mass viewing sports. People who are playing at that level, talking about an issue that isn’t just about their sport has proven to be very effective way of reaching young people and encouraging them to have more tolerant and accepting attitudes to people in their schools and communities.”

While racism in sport is not a new problem, inci-

At the Show Racism the Red Card Creative Competition Awards Exhibition were Cliodhna O’ Connor, Dublin Ladies Football, Kevin Kilbane, former Republic of Ireland international, Jason Sherlock, former Dublin footballer, middle row, from left, Indira Kaljo, Meteor Women’s SuperLeague basketball, Eoin Reddan, Leinster and Ireland Rugby, TV presenter Diana Bunici and front, Philip McMahon, Dublin footballer

dents being reported, at national and local level, are highlighting that there is still a long way left to go, says Garrett.

“There have been a number of high-profile incidents of racism in Irish sport in recent years.

One of the ones that we focus on is the experience

Kaljo, the Meteors basketball player who recounted her experiences of racism as a Muslim woman.

“Indira is originally from Bosnia, although you would think she was American, as she moved there when she was seven.

“She spoke about the

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‘At grass roots level, we get a lot of anecdotal reports that there is a problem with racism’ - Garrett Mullan, SRTRC

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of Lee Chin, the Wexford footballer and hurler. He spoke out against racism last year when he experienced it, not for the first time, at an important match last summer. His decision to speak out made a big impact on our campaign.

“At the highest levels in Irish sport, supporters and players are in a structured environment where there are stewards who can make sure that all is going well and there is not a lot of bad behaviour.

“But at grass roots level, where the games are administered by volunteers, and sometimes too few volunteers, sometimes too much bad behaviour is encountered. We do get a lot of anecdotal reports that there is a problem with racism at that level.”

That problem was addressed most effectively at the event by Indira

racism and discrimination that she encountered as a Muslim in America,.

Even now, although she is from a Muslim background, people assume she is anything other than Muslim. She spoke very powerfully and emotionally about being around people who would make racist comments about Muslims, and what that made her feel.”

“How these things happen and what their impact is on on people is very powerful message to get over. We have these role models showing something positive can come out of the situation.”

The campaign has produced a DVD that teachers can use in schools, and an education pack containing activities to approach the issues, available to order or download from their website, www. redcard.ie.

FastSport

Bekele leads the field as Phoenix Park welcomes the Great Ireland Run Some 10,000 runners of all ages took part in the SPAR Great Ireland Run in the Phoenix Park last Sunday in very windy but warm conditions.

The 10k Run was won by defending champion Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia in 28 minutes 51 seconds, fast running in the high winds. He was challenged for the first 7k by Collis Birmingham of Australia but finally broke away just beyond the 8k mark.

Second place in 29:08 went to multiple European cross-country champion Sergiy Lebid of Ukraine and world 10,000 metre champion Ibrahim Jeilan was third in 29:18. Stephen Scullion of North Belfast Harriers finished in 7th place and took the Irish national 10k title in 30:15.

Defending women’s champion Gemma Steel of Great Britain had to settle for second place behind compatriot Lauren Howarth who won in 33:36 ahead of Steel’s 33:49. Julia Bleasdale in third made it a clean sweep for the Britons in 33:53. Linda Byrne of DSD took the Irish title in 6th place in 34:24.

The event also featured the SPAR Great Ireland Mile for elite men run on the main road of the Phoenix Park, which saw Paul Robinson of St Coca’s AC in Kildare as decisive winner, coming home in 4 minutes and 14 seconds.

Among the competitors were almost 1,500 children who took part in the mini and junior runs for five- to eight-year-olds and nine- to fifteen-year-olds respectively.

Gazette

30 BLANCH gazette 18 April 2013

SPORT

FastSport

Records are the goal for amputee soccer Blanchardstown man, Donnal Bligh, is hoping to get into the record books in the coming weeks when he competed in the Barringtons Hospital Great Limerick Run Marathon Relay.

Donnal, who is a member of the Irish Amputee football team, has set his sights on achieving an unique first over the May bank holiday weekend when he and his teammates enter the marathon in two groups of four.

Each team member will run just over 6.5 miles each but with a difference: they will be doing it on a set of crutches and on one leg without the use of their prosthetic limb.

Spokesman of the Irish Amputee Football Association, Simon Baker, said: “There was a lot of competition within the football team to even make it into the two relay teams. Each member had to complete a 10k run in under 1hr 30 mins to be considered for the team.

“The reason for taking on the challenge is to highlight the game of Amputee football proving to people we are not just amputees, but amputee athletes.”

Amputee Football is played on crutches, without prosthetics, and is a fast, highly-skilled and competitive game, with players demonstrating incredible fitness and ability on a par with their 11-a-side counterparts.

“Most of these players would not have dreamt a few months ago that they would run a mile .Barrington’s Hospital Great Limerick Run is great training for the players and their stamina,” said Baker.

The players’ entry to the Barringtons Hospital Great Limerick Run is to raise funds for an Amputee Football tournament, which they will host in Limerick on August 9 to 11. The Paddypowers.com Amputee Cup will see England, Poland, Netherlands, Germany and Belgium against Ireland. Over 100 amputee footballers will descend on the University of Limerick for two days of competition.

For more information, photos and videos log on to www.irishamputeefootballassociation. com, or find the IAFA on Facebook or Twitter.

american football: dublin derby sees form side unseated

Dublin Rhinos’ Shaun Douglas gets behind a Dan Breslin block as the Dublin 15 side registered an historic win for the club

Rhinos rumble Rebels’ run  sport@gazettegroup.com

Af ter star ting the season 0-3 and just o n e we e k r e m ove d from a 23-0 beating by Craigavon Cowboys, Dublin Rhinos tore up the form book and scored a massive upset over the Dublin Rebels.

Head Coach Mark Lawless could have been forgiven for looking at a date with Ireland’s most successful side as a particularly unwelcome fixture.

Instead, the Rhinos, led by first-time starting quarterback Jonny Northcutt, dug deep and withstood everything

the Rebels had to throw at them.

The day hadn’t started particularly well for the Rhinos, who ceded possession early in their first drive, then struggled to contain the Rebels’ running game.

Simon Mackey, who had dominated the February meeting between the sides, picked up where he left off and tore through the Rhinos defence for a rushing touchdown, his third against the men in red this season. Andy Dennehy’s pass was deflected on the two-point conversion, leaving the Rhinos 6-0 down.

hands off the west Gaels’ girls give good showing at 2013 Feile westmanstown Gaels were denied a

place in the semi-final of the 2013 girls football Feile, which was held last weekend at the home grounds of Naomh Mearnog and St Sylvester’s.

The Gaels played four matches, winning two and losing two, and the good news for them is that 75% of the team are eligible to play again next year. The club wish to thank team mentors Pat Hawkins, Mary Clegg, Donal Gleeson and Fergal Callaghan. PIcture: GAApics.com

Any foreboding or sense of deja-vu was premature, however, as the Rhinos reacted excellently to the score, clogging the middle of the line and delivering a number of big hits.

The impetus created by the defence spurred the offence. The second quarter saw the Rhinos march down the field, with Robert Pops and Shaun Douglas both gaining yards as the wind played havoc with any notion of a passing game.

On a third and eight from the Rebels 22, however, that notion would be exploded.

Northcutt took the snap and retreated, eyes downfield, before arcing a perfect pass over the head of Keith Foster.

Alex McGuirk, whose catching chances had been limited throughout the day, rose spectacularly before bringing the ball in safely in the endzone.

Paul Hosford added the point after, to give the Rhinos a one-point margin at the break.

The second half would become a war of attrition, with penalties pock-marking the game and the tension ratcheted up. The Rhinos defence would force

a turnover on downs before a fourth quarter showdown on their own goal line.

With a fourth and goal just inches from the line, the Rebels snap was fumbled and Stephen Byrne gratefully dived on it.

The Rhinos would punt before having to make another goal line stand with time running out.

Dennehy scrambled for what felt like an eternity, before firing a dart that would fall incomplete as the clock expired and the Rhinos claimed their first-ever win over their cross-town rivals.

18 April 2013 BLANCH gazette 31

Gazette

Castleknock Inters go top with Barrog blitz  sport@gazettegroup.com

CASTLEKNOCK’S inter footballers continued their impressive start to the AFL3 campaign when they recorded their third successive league win of 2013 to move to the top of the table.

They saw off Naomh Barrog 2-12 to 3-6 with a strong performance,

though the Kilbarrack side scored a trio of goals to keep the tie in the balance.

Indeed, it was level at half-time at 1-6 to 2-3, despite Castleknock making most of the running.

After Cian O’Hara had made an early penalty save, the Somerton side moved 1-6 to 0-2 ahead with Des Carlos and Mat-

thew Griffin chipping in while Jamie Tunney swooped to score the goal, lobbing the goalkeeper in style.

But Naomh Barrog grabbed two goals in quick succession, one from the penalty line to bring the tie level at the break.

Carlos pushed his side back into the lead with the first of three scores of

the second half.

Kevin Kindlon supplied a goal and another point from Carlos re-established a six-point lead only, for Barrog to pull back another goal and make a tense finish.

Tommy Corcoran, though, landed a free to settle any lingering nerves and record the threepoint win.

football: russell park girls shut out scoil

Club Noticeboard st brigid’s Pride of place this week goes to our

Contact Paul on 087 915 4748 or email

girls Feile footballers who captured

info@stbrigidsgaa.com.

the Division 2 Title on Sunday. Well done to all concerned.

Great wins last week also for the

Club lotto is in Russell Park this Thur sda y. Jackpot remains at €15,000.

senior, junior B, minor, U-16 and U-15

The camogie section are com-

footballers as well as senior camogie

mencing a Mum and Me programme

and U-15B hurlers.

on Tuesday, April 23. The programme

Hurling championships begins this

will introduce mothers and their

week for junior (Friday at 7.15pm) and

daughters to the basic skills of cam-

inter hurlers (Sunday at 10.30am).

ogie. For more information, contact

More fixtures on website.

Siobhan at naomhbridpro@hotmail.

2013 membership is now overdue.

com or 085 149 0583.

Any player without their member-

The annual golf classic takes place

ship paid will not be allowed to train

on May 24 in Royal Tara. Morning and

or play for insurance reasons. Any

afternoon slots available. €100 per

member with issues regarding mem-

player or €400 per team, meal includ-

bership can contact our club secre-

ed. Contact Phil Kelly on 0867733693

tary, Mary O’Connor, at maryaoc@

to book your place.

hotmail.com. The club nursery for

Congratulations to Dave Smyth

four- to seven-year-olds continues

and the Fingal hurlers on their NHL

this Saturday morning (and every

League final win over Donegal.

Saturday morning) from 9.30 to 11am.

Deepest sympathies to the Schmidt

New members and families welcome.

family on their recent bereavement.

erin go bragh There was no winners of our weekly

Tough day last Saturday for our

lotto. The numbers drawn were 6, 20,

U-14 ladies feile team, losing by one

25 and 27.

point against Naomh Mearnog in some

Well done to our U-14 boys footballers who had a good win over St Jude’s on a score line of 9-7 to 2-3 last Saturday. Well done lads.

St Brigid’s claimed the Division 2 Feile title after withstanding a Scoil Ui Chonnaill comeback. PIcture: GAApics.com

St Brigid’s starlets claim Feile Div 2 title

feile division 2 final St Brigid’s Scoil Ui Chonnaill  sport@gazettegroup.com

3-3 1-3

Shauna Kelly’s pair of booming first-half goals saw St Brigid’s make the best use of the strong wind coming from the clubhouse end at Lawless Memorial Park to withstand an epic Scoil Ui Chonnail fightback.

Held scoreless in the first half, Scoil looked dead and buried with nine points the gap at the interval, but Olivia Gleeson’s goal breathed live into the tie, and they got back to within three points.

Brigid’s held their nerve, however, and a late Amy Fay goal finally saw out the tie in cracking style, finding the top left corner.

Early on, the Dublin 15 side had it mostly their own way, as Kelly showed what she was capable of from distance with a huge point.

Soon after, she added a goal direct from a 45 that skimmed off the underside of the crossbar on its way in. Fay and Rachel Moran added points before Kelly dropped another bomb from a free into the box and out of reach of the Scoil goalkeeper for a 2-3

to 0-0 half-time lead.

But it was all change in the second half, with Scoil’s Ella McCloskey bounding forward, while Hannah Leahy also went close before Sophie Gibney’s free got her side on the board.

Gleeson’s smartly taken volley from a shot which rebounded gave the comeback real impetus.

Ciara McComish added to that momentum, while Gibney’s effort from the right flank brought them to within three points.

St Brigid’s broke free of the shackles late in the game to finally put their name formally on the tro-

phy with Fay’s sweet goal.

Earlier in the day, a five-star second half performance saw St Oliver Plunkett’s Eoghan Ruadh storm to victory in the division four Feile final, seeing off St Anne’s.

It broke a first half deadlock after the sides had contested a tight, cagey opening quarter hour that ended 0-1 each.

But Plunkett’s came out firing in the second period with Alison Burke putting her side back into the lead. Orla Martin tagged on two points that her performance deserved while Ann McSweeny also chipped in.

very bad weather. Keep the heads up, girls.

Congratulations to Kevin Larkin on winning a National League hurling

Well done to our U-11 boys foot-

medal on Saturday in Fingal’s Division

ballers who bounced back from last

3A hurling win over Donegal on a score

week’s defeat with a good win over

line of 1-9 to 1-5.

local rivals, St Peregrine’s.

A cyclethon will take place next

Well done to our U-11 girls football

Saturday, April 20, from 9am to 6pm

team who continued their unbeaten

in The Blanchardstown Shopping Cen-

run with a 3-9 to 3-2 win over Naomh

tre. Please come and support the club

Olaf in a very tough encounter last

members who are participating dur-

Saturday. Well done, girls.

ing the day.

westmanstown gaels It was a good weekend on the play-

close encounter with Lucan Sarsfields

ing fields for the men’s intermediates

at home last Wednesday evening com-

and juniors, taking full points in their

ing up short by two points.

respective league fixtures.

The intermediates came out on top away to Garristown on Saturday evening by 1-9 to 1-7 to maintain a 100% record in the league.

The Gaels’ Nursery (five to seven years) runs every Saturday from 10 to 11.30am. Ask for Geraldine Cullotty.

For the latest information, visit www.westmanstowngaels.ie.

The juniors also kept up their recent

Westmanstown Gaels fields boys

good form, beating Fingallians at West-

and girls teams from U-8 to U-16. New

manstown on Sunday morning by 5-9

members welcome. Contact club GPO

to 3-3 in a Div 7 clash.

Declan Jennings for more information

It is back to cup competitions next

at 085 800 6101.

weekend with intermediates hosting

We are still collecting unwanted

O’Dwyer’s at Westmanstown on Sat-

clothing every Saturday until the

urday evening at 6pm, with the juniors

end of April. The drop-off point is the

away to Ballymun Kickhams on Sunday

first cabin next Saturday. Unwanted

morning at 10.30am.

Leather goods, old shoes, bed linen,

The ladies were unlucky to lose a

etc are welcome.

GazetteSPORT all of your blanch sports coverage from page 27-31

ready to rumble: Dublin Rhinos hang tough and turn over the Rebels with composed performance P30

April 18, 2013

kick it out: Show Racism The Red Card on fighting intolerance P29

Fingal’s hurlers celebrate their elevation to Division 2B after victory over Donegal at Breffini Park last weekend secured their place at the higher level

Fingal hail local heroes Hurlers take Division 3A title again and gain promotion, and aim for success at 2B level as well as a return to Nicky Rackard action next year  sport@gazettegroup.com

FRESH from a long overdue promotion to National Hurling League division 2B, Fingal manager Mick Kennedy is already looking to the future following his side’s 3B final 1-9 to 1-5 win over Donegal in Breffni Park last weekend.

St Peregrine’s Colm Foley lined out in the half-forward line in the final while Erin Go Bragh’s Kevin Larkin was part of the panel, landing the club their first NHL title. St Brigid’s Dave Smyth chipped in with a couple of points, too.

It was the region’s second successive win

at this grade but promotion was not on the table a year ago, adding to the frustration of missing out on playing in the 2012 league final due to Monaghan’s withdrawal.

But Kennedy, who took on the job earlier this year, says that he is keen to build on this success rather than dwell on the delay in moving up the league standings.

“Fingal had been hanging around that league too long. They had to earn their way out of it and no one can deny them the promotion,” he told GazetteSport.

“Some of the players spoke about [the cancelled 2012 final] on Friday night before the match but there was never that much

of a big deal made of it. We are never looking back, we are always looking forward. We can’t do anything about the past and have to live in the present and take it one match at a time.”

It ends Fingal’s campaign for the year at a slightly premature stage as the region was not included in the Nicky Rackard Cup for a second successive season but Kennedy says they will be reinstated in 2014.

“I can’t see any reason why it won’t happen. We’ll be entered into it. I only took over the side late this year and we appealed to get into the Nicky Rackard with the ten-day rule on county players rescinded allowing

lads able to play with their clubs up to a day before [a Fingal game].”

This makes clashes with club sides less likely, freeing up players to line out at county level with less friction. And Kennedy is now keen to use the summer to the best possible effect to maximise Fingal’s hopes at the new level of competition next year.

“Of course we want to go on and play championship hurling. Fingal hurling may be finished for this year at county level but I’ll be out as club hurling is only starting.

I’ll be out looking at all the teams, scouting around for players. We always have to be aiming to improve.”