Gazette castleknock
A visit to World Heritage sites in Spain reveals some real cultural gems
see page 24 December 12, 2013 Find us on
Month XX, 2012 Castleknock • Carpenterstown • Laurel Lodge • Roselawn
OPINION: Are our local authorities in need of reform? Minister in charge Phil Hogan thinks so See Page 6
FREE
going to bat: Castleknock Hotel hits the ball for six for Irish Cricket team Page 7
A good steer: Driving home the safety message the AXA Roadsafe Roadshow deliv-
Camogie:
Brigid’s break duck as U-15s oust Lucan Page 31
ered a hard-hitting road safety message to teenagers at the Crowne Plaza Hotel recently. The roadshow is aimed at transition students in secondary schools and depicts graphically how a night out can end in tragedy. Pictured are: Omar Emara, Castleknock College; Anthony Lavin, AXA customer care manager; Laurence Skelly, fire officer; student James Gibney from Castleknock College and Garda Dave Barron.
Picture: Colm Mahady / Fennells
Soccer:
Celtic roll past Rivervalley NDSL challenge Page 30
ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES....................... 8 DUBLIN LIFE....................11 OUT&ABOUT.................. 18 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................27
Magnier and McManus new owners of St Ed’s Site worth €4.3m is currently being used for ‘arable farming’
Laura Webb
The buyers of a multimillion euro land deal at Liffey Valley have been revealed as the owners of Luttrellstown Castle and Country Club. John Magnier and JP
McManus have been confirmed as the buyers of the land in Liffey Valley at St Edmundsbury, which was auctioned back in September. It sold for €4.3m and at the time the buyers wanted to remain anonymous.
According to the chief executive of Luttrellstown Castle and Country Club, Colm Hannon, the land, which has a special amenity order protecting it from development, is being used for “arable farming”.
When asked if there were any future plans to build a hotel or golf club on the land, he said: “It is hard to say what will happen [in the future]. It will be farmed now.” Full Story on Page 3
2 CASTLeKNOCK Gazette 12 December 2013
dublin GAZETTe transport Decision final, says minister newspapers i n f o r m at i o n 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 Editor: Mimi Murray mmurray@gazettegroup.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile jmaile@gazettegroup.com Sports Editor: Rob Heigh rheigh@gazettegroup.com Picture Editor: Hiromi Mooney picturedesk@gazettegroup.com Group Advertising Manager: Conor Mahon cmahon@gazettegroup.com Direct Ad Sales Manager: Tatum Rooney trooney@gazettegroup.com Advertising Production: Suzanne Sheehy ssheehy@gazettegroup.com Advertising Sales: 01 - 6010240 sales@gazettegroup.com Financial Controller: Carly Lynch clynch@gazettegroup.com
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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.
Nulty slams move to privatise bus routes
A number of bus routes operating in Dublin 15 have been put out to tender by the National Transport Authority (NTA) , a move that has been criticised as being “dangerous for commuters”. The NTA announced some 10% of routes currently operated by Dublin Bus and by Bus Eireann under their Direct Award contracts will be subject to competitive tendering, with services commencing in 2016. According to the NTA the decision comes following a public consultation which took place between September 11 and October 11, 2103. Bus routes being affected in Dublin 15 include 17a, 76a, 220, 236, 238, 239 and 270. Dublin West TD Patrick Nulty (Ind) said plans to “privatise” bus routes that operate in Dublin 15 were “irrational, ideological and very dangerous for commuters”. “The subvention to Dublin Bus is dreadfully low by European standards for a capital city and I believe Min-
laura webb lwebb@gazettegroup.com
ister for Transport Leo Varadkar is using our bus network as a dangerous’ xperiment in old style Thatcherite privatisation plans.” Minister Varadkar said: “No routes are being privatised but 23 local and orbital routes, which don’t go into town, are being put out to competitive tender.” Deputy Nulty went on to criticise his former party, Labour, for preparing to “stand over these proposals” saying they have “no bottom line when it comes to protecting public services and their silence on this issue is deplorable”. “Many residents will remember a campaign successfully won to alter the 238 route a couple of years ago to facilitate older citizens. That route change was
Patrick Nulty (Ind) said plans to “privatise” bus routes were “irrational, ideological and very dangerous for commuters”
agreed to not based on the profit motive but out of service to the public. “A private company without that ethos will not be so responsive.” “I would challenge M i n i s t e r s Va r a d k a r or Burton to a public debate on these proposals at a time, place and venue of their choosing. These proposals do not serve the public interest and must be resisted,” he said. In response, Minister Varadkar said: “The decision to tender these routes was made by the NTA, the independent regulator, on foot of
the Dublin Transport Act which was passed by the Dail and Seanad. The decision is not going to be reversed. “Deputy Nulty is a member of the Dail and he knows all this. His demand for a debate is just a stunt. “My office has not received a request for a meeting from him. “Dublin Bus and any other bus operator will be able to tender for the contract to operate these routes. “The winner will be expected to provide a better service for the same subsidy or the same service for a lower
subsidy. “That means it’s a win for passengers and a win for taxpayers and I am glad that some routes in Dublin West were selected by the NTA following a public and market consultation. “Monopolies belong in the past and competition is now the norm in modern democracies. Aer Lingus competes with Ryanair. ESB competes with Bord Gais and Airtricity. “Even An Post has to compete for government contracts. When properly regulated, competition results in better value and more choice for people. “It is nothing to be afraid of and is the norm in cities across Europe, from London to Copenhagen. “I think Deputy Nulty is scaremongering and he is the one who is driven by ideology on this issue,” Minister Varadkar said.
12 December 2013 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 3
roundabout
St Edmundsbury: John Magnier and JP McManus purchased €4.3m plot
Junctions set to be named
Liffey Valley land buyers revealed
Laura Webb
The owners of Luttrellstown Castle have been revealed as the buyers of a multimillion euro land acquisition in Liffey Valley, Lucan. John Magnier and JP McManus, owners of Luttrellstown Castle, have been confirmed as the buyers of the land in Liffey Valley at St Edmundsbury, which went up for auction on September 26. It was sold for €4.3m and at the time of the auction, the buyer wanted to remain anonymous. Before the land was sold the Liffey Valley Park Alliance, a group which seeks to protect the land from inappropriate development, had hoped
the Government would secure the land for a Liffey Valley Natural Park. Speaking to The Gazette this week, chief executive of Luttrellstown Castle and Country Club, Colm Hannon, confirmed that the Luttrellstown Castle group, which consists of John Magnier and JP McManus, purchased the lands. As for what plans they have for the land which has a special amenity order protecting it from land development, Colm said: “We are going to farm it. It will be arable farming, wheat, barley, potatoes – things like that.” There has been opposition to the sale of the land as it was feared it would be
used for residential development. When asked if the group could alleviate any concerns that the land would be developed, Hannon said all he could say was that is “what we are doing right now”. “Well we have a farming partner in there with us, so he will be farming it so that is what we are doing.” In regards to any plans to build a hotel or golf club on the land in the future, Colm said: “It is hard to say what will happen. It went up for public auction and it was purchased and that is really it. It will be farmed right now. We don’t really know what the future holds for anyone – that’s really it.”
Nelson Mandela: Citizens line up to sign book of condolence bernie Lillis from Castleknock signs the book of condolence
for former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. The 95-year-old anti-apartheid leader passed away on Thursday, December 5. His funeral takes place on Sunday, December 15.
Picture: Laura Hutton / Photocall Ireland
Fingal County Council has agreed to name and put signs on 48 roundabouts in Dublin 15 in batches of 10. The first 10 roundabouts to be named are: Millennium Roundabout (near Power City); Blakestown Roundabout (near the Town Centre); Clonsilla Roundabout (near St. Mochta’s School); Coolmine Roundabout (near Coolmine Station); Allendale Roundabout (near Allendale Estate); Station Roundabout (at Hansfield Train Station); Barnwell Roundabout (adjacent to Educate Together NS); Ongar Roundabout (near Blackwood Estate); ITB Roundabout (near the ITB College) and Ballycoolin Roundabout (Ballycoolin Rd/Blanchardstown Rd Nth)
4 CASTLeKNOCK Gazette 12 December 2013
dunboyne The legend that is Byrne rings in New Year with music and stories
Gaybo is king of the castle for one evening Laura Webb
Legendary broadcaster Gay Byrne will return to Dunboyne Castle Hotel this New Year. An Evening with Gay Byrne follows the sell-out success of his exclusive per-
formance last year at the hotel. The legendary broadcaster will entertain audiences with an evening of stories, memories, songs and laughter. This show is an ideal post-Christmas night out to enjoy the wit and wisdom of
one of Ireland’s best loved TV and radio personalities. There will also be a special performance on the night from Kathleen Watkins. The hotel is offering a pre-show dining experience at The Ivy restaurant which was recently awarded two
A A rosettes and special overnight accommodation offers are also available. The early bird dining menu in The Ivy costs at €25 per person, while the luxury overnight rates are from €79 per person sharing. An Evening with Gay
Byrne takes place on January 23, 2014 with tickets costing €20. Meanwhile, other events in the New Year at Dunboyne Castle Hotel and Spa will include a special presentation of expert gardening tips from Ireland’s best
loved gardening personality Dermot O’Neill on March 13 and a delicious cooker y demonstration from award-winning chef Neven Maguire on May 7. For further information see www.dunboynecastlehotel.com or call 01-8013500.
property: ‘we cannot allow the same mistakes’
Call for rethink on planning extensions Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com
Roderic O’Gorman (GP): “We cannot allow the same mistakes in terms of planning and housing quality to be made in Dublin 15 again.”
A rethink into policy that extends planning permission granted to large scale residential developments during the Celtic Tiger era must be considered by Fingal County Council. That’s according to Green Party representative Roderic O’Gorman who made the comments as work on a new development of 147 houses and apartments begin at
Carpenterstown Road. “In recent weeks, work commenced on 147 houses and apartments at the Garryknock site along the Carpenterstown Road. This includes 42 two-bed apartments. Once complete, this is going to add significantly to the already congested nature of the Carpenterstown and Diswellstown area, which is becoming particularly hard to exit in the morning due to traffic,” O’Gorman said. There has also been
activity on files of two other planning permissions in the vicinity of St Patrick’s National School, one at the Diswellstown House site, which was amended in November for 119 houses, down from 156 houses and apartments. The other on the site beside St Patricks NS and behind the Brunell estate for 450 units, including 192 apartments, which had its planning permission altered to change the phasing with which the
houses would be built. “This suggests that the developer still intends to proceed with the development,” he said. “While county councils cannot cancel older planning permissions, I believe there needs to be a detailed rethink about whether it should be allowing extensions for those big residential planning permissions that were granted during the Celtic Tiger era, but have not been built yet. “Many of these contain large amounts of the twobed ‘shoebox’ apartments which are used solely for rental, and therefore limit the possibility of longer-term communities being formed. While the improvement in the property market is welcomed, we cannot allow the same mistakes in terms of planning and housing quality to be made in Dublin 15 again,” he said. In response, a spokesperson for Fingal said a planning application lasts five years and an application for an extension can be made “only once”. “Fingal County Council is restricted in its powers to limit/refuse permission under the legislation that applies to extending the period of planning permissions. We must follow the requirements of Section 42 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2012.”
12 December 2013 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 5
6 CASTLeKNOCK Gazette 12 December 2013
opinion Phil Hogan on the Local Government Reform Bill
Abolishing outdated institutions is right for the country THE Local Government Bill 2013, which is currently before the Dail, implements the reforms in the Action Programme for Effective Local Government, Putting People First, which outlined the rationale for reform and a vision for local government to be utilised as effectively as possible as the primary vehicle for governance and public service locally (as seen at www.environ.ie/en/ publications/local government/administration). The Bill addresses fundamental weaknesses and brings renewal across the entire local government system; structures, functions, funding, governance and operational arrangements. This short piece concentrates on structural reform, which has gained much media attention due partly to a campaign by some local politicians to save their seats in the guise of defending local democracy and services. The hollowness of the “democracy” slogan is exposed by the fact that the 744 town councillors, who comprise 46% of all councillors, represent only 14% of the population – an imbalance that
is aggravated by the fact that ‘the 14%’ have double votes and two sets of councillors. As regards local services, the 80 town councils, which comprise more than 70% of local authorities, account for less than 7% of local authority activity measured by expenditure. No wonder the ‘save our seats’ campaign garnered little, if any, support during its passage at Dail Second Stage [voting].
Questions We tend to be changeaverse in relation to public institutions, but in considering the status quo in local government, we need to reflect on a range of questions, such as: • Does it serve the people well that we have a town council for 15 towns with a population of fewer than 2,000 people, while a number with more than 10,000 do not? • Why do residents living inside a boundary line have a town council, while those in the suburbs of the same town, but outside an outdated boundary, must deal with the county council? • Does it make sense that town councils operate like ‘islands’, separate from their wider hinter-
lands? • Does it serve a useful purpose that some town councils, which owe their existence to 160-year-old legislation, have virtually no functions? • Would it make sense to try to rectify anomalies by transferring territory and resources from the county councils to the towns, thereby weakening the former; or by creating new town councils and extra councillors? The current multiplicity of authorities involves massive duplication, which must be eradicated not expanded. More significant than the reduction of nearly 700 council seats is the fact that the Bill will result in 83 fewer local authority structures – that’s 83 fewer annual budgets, annual reports, annual audits, corporate plans, development plans, elections, and various other processes. The ‘83’ figure only counts local authorities, and does not capture the full extent of administrative and political streamlining. More than 190 separate organisations are being dissolved, including 34 City and County Development Boards, 35 County Enterprise
Phil Hogan, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. Picture: Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland
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‘The 80 town councils will be replaced by a more coherent system of municipal districts, integrated with the county structure, unlike the duplicative, stand-alone town councils’
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Boards, eight regional authorities and more than 30 other local bodies dealing with matters such as burials, drainage, libraries and harbours. This excludes some other subsidiary local bodies, committees and sub-committees. It is an unprecedented elimination of unnecessary duplication, unproductive bureaucratic structures and process, and administrative overheads. The administrative staff released [by this elimination process] will be put to more productive use in advancing sustainable social, economic and environmental development, ensuring the best possible local services, and working to enhance the quality of life of local communities. However, the reform
programme is not primarily about dissolutions. The merging of six city/ county councils into unified authorities in Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford is well advanced, and bearing fruit. The 80 town councils will be replaced by a more coherent and comprehensive system of municipal districts, integrated with the county structure, unlike the duplicative, stand-alone town councils. Whether you live in Ashbourne orTrim, Claremorris or Castlebar, in the town centre, the suburbs, or the rural hinterland, you will be represented by municipal district members who will decide, and be accountable for, a range of important matters in the local area. With nearly 70 statu-
tory functions listed in the Bill for municipal district level, county council decisions on local matters will be brought closer to local communities, freeing plenary meetings of local issues and enhancing subsidiarity. This is recognised in a recent Council of Europe report which, contrary to some misleading comments, specifically endorsed the changes at sub-county level and, far from criticising the Bill – as some have tried to imply – welcomed the overall Action Programme. As well as modernising structures, the Bill will strengthen local government functions, especially in economic and community development, reversing a decades-long trend of marginalisation, and repositioning local government away from some traditional functions which require greater scale, resources or expertise. Local government will be more financially stable, self-reliant and responsible, with the restoration of independent revenue-
raising powers. There will be more r o b u s t g ove r n a n c e , including a National Oversight and Audit Commission, working within existing resources to oversee performance, value for money and best practice, stronger local audit provisions, and stronger council oversight of the executive, which will be headed by a ‘chief executive’, and having additional obligations with respect to the elected council. Outdated structures and practices have not served local government well. The Reform Bill opens a new future for local government, increasing its capacity to play a wider role, with public confidence in its ability to be the primary vehicle of public service at local level and a major force in enhancing the quality of life of all our communities. phil hogan Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government
12 December 2013 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 7
sport Castleknock goes to bat to supply accommodation
Hotel announces a top cricket deal laura webb
STAFF at Castleknock Hotel will have to brush up on their cricket knowledge after it was announced that the popular hotel will be Cricket Ireland’s official accommodation supplier. Last week, Cricket Ireland announced they are teaming up with Castleknock Hotel and Country Club, who will supply accommodation for the team during 2014. Speaking before the launch, Andrew Kavanagh, director of sales of marketing at Castleknock Hotel, spoke of his delight at working with Cricket Ireland on
this official basis. “We have admired the work that Cricket Ireland has done in recent years to grow the game in Ireland, and we’re honoured to be their hotel of choice and, much more than that, we are keen to begin a mutually beneficial and longstanding commercial relationship.” Castleknock Hotel and Country Club will also sponsor the Junior Player of the Year at the annual RSA Cricket Ireland awards as part of the agreement. Dennis Cousins, head of commercial at Cricket Ireland said: “We’re delighted to appoint
Castleknock Hotel and Country Club as our official accommodation supplier for 2014. “The team at Castleknock, like the Irish cricket team, have set very high standards and deliver on a consistent basis. “The hotel has excellent facilities and a proven track record of catering for the needs of modern-day international sports teams. Cricket Ireland is looking forward to working closely with the Castleknock Hotel and Country Club next season.” The hotel, which was recently announced as the AA Hotel of the Year
2013-14, is no stranger to catering for major sports teams, both from home or abroad. In the past few weeks, the hotel played host to the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team in the run-up to their game against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium. This was not the first time the hotel put up the renowned rugby team, as their recent stay marked their fourth successive time to stay at the hotel. Asked what it is that makes the hotel an ideal spot for sports clubs, Kavanagh said that apart from the team at the hotel, the biggest selling point is its setting, being
Among those announcing the deal were Andrew Kavanagh, director of sales of marketing at Castleknock Hotel, and Max Sorenson, from the Irish cricket team
just 15 minutes outside the city and close to the M50, yet maintaining a country club feel. “The hotel is modern with excellent facilities such as the spa, gym and pool which are popular with teams, and we also
set up a team room for them during their stay where they can relax together in privacy. “Of course, the golf course is another major attraction for most of the teams. “Menus can often have
to be tailored, orders of certain drinks or food types. We are able to offer bespoke solutions in terms of training facilities and post-training and match recovery with the spa facilities,” he said.
8 CASTLeKNOCK Gazette 12 December 2013
gazetteGALLERIES
Deirdre Costelloe
Team leader Maria Dunphy
Linda Curran, Blanchardstown Area
Minister Joan Burton (Lab) and Mayor of Fingal Kieran Dennison (FG) meet Tus team leaders Lorraine Kenna,
Partnership
Dodrill. Pictures: Ronan O’Sullivan
initiative: TUS IS RECOGNISED AT COFFEE MORNING
Placements brew nicely in Dublin 15 M
AYOR of Fingal Cllr Kieran Dennison has recently hosted a Tus Coffee Morning in the Mulhuddart Community Centre. Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton (Lab) also attended the coffee morning, as a special guest of the day. Tus is a 12-month community Work Place-
ment Initiative for those in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance, and is implemented by Blanchardstown Area Partnership in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection. The coffee morning was held to highlight the vaious local community organisations who have participated in the Tus initiative to date.
Chairperson of the Steering Committee Brian
Minister Burton with chief executive of
Chadwick
Blanchardstown Area Partnership Linda Curran
12 December 2013 CASTLEKNOCK GAZETTE 9
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Phyllis Paget, Audrey McGuirk and Kathleen Brennan
Graham Doyle, Michelle Timmons, Maria Dunphy, Ciaran Dalton and Wayne
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Mayor Dennison gave a speech at the event
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10 CASTLeKNOCK Gazette 12 December 2013
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Genevieve Holmes with Deputy Mary Mitchell Ali Lodola and Ben Logan
O’Connor
Dublin’s gliteratti in dancing shoes
B Sean Munsanje and Nadia Forde were amongst those who attended the Strictly Come Dancing event. Pictures: Richie Stokes
OBBY Kerr and Mary Buckley were recently crowned the winners of Strictly Against Breast Cancer in the National Convention Centre. Many well-known faces were seen paired with volunteer supporters of Breast Cancer Ireland on the dance floor to raise funds for the
charity, including Nick Munier, Professor Arnie Hill, Triona McCarthy, Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor (FG), Sean Munsanje and Siobhan O’Connor. The competition was judged by publisher Norah Casey, tailor Louis Copeland and rugby commentator Brent Pope.
12 December 2013 CASTLEKNOCK gazette 23
Gazette
MOTORS road
NOISE
Peugeot 2008 wins top writers’ award
An early look at the new Mercedes-Benz GLA class, set to be launched on Irish roads in February/March next
Motors: upgraded classics and new models on the way
Mercedes-Benz set for exciting new looks cormac curtis
MERCEDES -BENZ have been surprising the motoring public in recent years with new and exciting models, as well as unexpected facelifts on some old favourites. There are more surprises in store for 2014, and, here, we profile the pick of the bunch.
Edition C From Januar y, the C-Class saloon comes under the new moniker, Edition. Equipped with a range of AMG enhancements, it carries a range of extras worth some €4,500
– but which will come at no extra cost – including AMG body styling in front and rear aprons, and side sill panels on Avantgarde models. Other features include, 17-inch light alloy wheels – highlighted in highgloss black, dark-tinted headlamps and chromed exhaust pipe ends. Interior changes include new sports seats covered in Artico leather upholstery, with fibre inlays and contrasting top stitching, matching door panels and gear selector. Other features include a luxury nappa leather four-spoke steering wheel
with 12-function buttons, dark aluminium trim, a multifunction colour infotainment display set within the instrument cluster, black fabric headlining, velour floor mats with contrasting topstitching and split folding rear seats.
S-class From the new year, it is expected that demand for the new S-class will continue to exceed the volumes allocated to the Irish market, due to worldwide demand for the new S-class running in excess of production capacity.
GLA class February/March will see the launch here of the all-new GLA class. Built on the same A-class and CLA-class platform, the compact SUV will take its place alongside its more established off-road siblings. Things to watch for will be its rugged appearance, set off by a power domed bonnet, dropping roofline and towering 20in wheels (optional). As with the A-class and CLA before it, the GLA will be offered in a choice of petrol and diesel engines, with transmission that includes the
Mercedes-Benz 4-Matic all-wheel-drive system.
Mid-late 2014 Looking ahead, and the all-new C-class range will make its first appearance on Irish roads in summer, while in or around the third quarter will see the arrival here of the new S-Coupe. With all these new models, the full prices, specifications levels, arrival sequencing and final model line-ups will be announced at the time of their launch, making 2014 another year of note for Mercedes-Benz.
THE newly launched Peugeot 2008 compact crossover was recently awarded the Continental Irish Small Car of the Year 2014 award by the Irish Motoring Writers’ Association. Des Cannon, managing director, Gowan Distributors, said: “The Peugeot 2008 is a terrific car. It’s stylish, it’s roomy and of course it’s economical. We are truly delighted with the Irish Small Car of the Year 2014 award, and I wish to thank the Irish Motoring Writers’ Association for recognising the unique qualities of the new Peugeot 2008.” He was joined by Amanda Brunker, Peugeot Brand Ambassador, to help celebrate the top award for the Peugeot 2008, which retails from €18,595 plus dealer delivery-related charges.
asdfeasfasd Des Cannon, managing director, Gowan Distributors with Amanda Brunker, Peugeot Brand Ambassador
volkswagen donate caddy maxi to help cancer charity: THE Marie Keating Foundation has agreed a new sponsorship deal with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, and picked up the keys to a Caddy Maxi van to help with its cancer support and information services. Niall Philips, head of sales and marketing,
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles said: “We are delighted to support the foundation as we recognise the vital work that they carry out every day around the country. “We wish them well in the year ahead and we hope that by providing the Caddy Maxi, we can contribute to the work they carry out and provide support to those who need it.”
24 CASTLEKNOCK gazette 12 December 2013
Gazette
&ABOUT OUT fast TRAVEL Co-founders Debbie Flynn and Tom Kennedy, with some of their team
Stay in a real home away from home ... WHEN it comes to travelling and seeing the world, the more seasoned of us like to soak up as much culture as possible. With the introduction of Homestay.com, a brand-new travel experience and global travel website, tourists have the opportunity to stay in a homestay, rather than an empty hotel room or apartment. The guest can stay with locals, often with shared interests, which helps to make their travel experience authentic in every way. It aims to create a local travel experience for all forms of travellers, including students, professionals and families. Homestay.com was founded in Dublin by Hostelworld.com cofounder Tom Kennedy and Debbie Flynn, director and founder of Irish Education Partners, and launched in July, offering worldwide accommodation options. Homestay.com are on the look out for new hosts in Dublin – making it a great way for people to make extra cash from a spare bedroom. For further information, visit www. homestay.com.
trail: world heritage sites highlight lovely settings and friendly people
Celebrating Spain’s rich historical treasures hiromi mooney
THERE are three things I love to do on my travels: see breathtaking sights, learn about local history and immerse myself into the local culture. A recent trip to visit three of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites in Spain ticked all of these boxes for me, but what really amazed me was seeing how the old buildings and modern lifestyle were in harmony in these cities. My journey began in the rustic city of Alcala de Henares, just 15km away from Madrid-Barajas Airport. The city was the world’s first planned university city, and was considered to be “the City of God”, due to it being recognised as the city of knowledge. Here, the University of Alcala was founded in 1499 by the Franciscan, Cardinal Cisneros, and was the first modern-age university. The city thus became a model for other education centres across Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1998. The city is also famous
for being the birthplace of one of Spain’s most celebrated writers, Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616), whose work includes his novel, Don Quixote. The house where he was born is now a museum and, while it has mostly been reconstructed, it still boasts its original 16th century basement. Cer vantes is still remembered in the city, as the Spanish king Juan Carlos I has been presenting the annual Cervantes Prize at the university to recognise contributions made to Spanish literature. The ceremony is held every year in April to coincide with the anniversary of Cervantes’ death, and prize winners’ names are displayed on a university wall. A visit to The Universes of Cervantes visitor centre helps to understand the importance of Cervantes. The centre opened in 2005 in the former Church of Santa Maria la Mayor, in which Cervantes was baptised, to coincide with the 400th anniversary of Don Quixote’s first part-edition.
It features an exhibition hall, the baptismal font of Cervantes, and the 19th century Santa Maria Tower offering a panoramic view of the city – but first, you have to climb more than 100 steps to see it. The next stop, almost 150km away, was the beautiful walled city of Avila – the highest city in Spain. The old city is surrounded by a high defensive wall 1.5 miles long, which has 88 solid towers and nine official gates, each with a different function. I also discovered that the Avila Cathedral apse serves as a turret for the wall. Behind the walls hides an enclosed city with narrow side-streets and many mansions and churches, creating the illusion that you’ve travelled back in time. Looking a little deeper, however, you’ll find bustling food markets, cafes and restaurants. My tour guide informed me that the wall was built in the 11th century to defend Avila and protect its people from invaders. She added that two sec-
The classically Spanish colours of brown, gold and sepia are beautifully offset by
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‘The beautiful walled city of Avila – the highest city in Spain – is surrounded by a high defensive wall 1.5 miles long, which has 88 solid towers and nine official gates, each with a different function’ --------------------------------------------------------
tions on top of the walls are open to the public, being 1.5km and 300m in length, so of course, I wanted to test them out. We walked alongside the walls on the cobblestone pavements at night, and trekked the route on top of the walls the next morning. Both walks had breathtaking views, but the difference in lighting created completely different atmospheres. Avila is also famous for the 16th century saint, Santa Teresa, who reformed the Carmelite
Order. Best known for her writings and teachings, her relics are preserved to this day, making the city popular with pilgrims. It’s no wonder that Avila’s deep historical background helped it to be declared a World Heritage site in 1985. When we stopped for lunch, we shared the restaurant with a group of elderly men, who turned out to be professional cyclists enjoying an annual reunion. We couldn’t believe our luck when we discovered
that amongst them was Julio Jimenez, who finished in second place in the 1967 Tour de France. He kindly posed for some photos and happily shared a picture from when he competed in 1965. After we parted with the cyclists, we ventured to the final port of call, Salamanca. This university city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988, and is today bustling with students. The University of Salamanca is one of the most important buildings in the city. It’s the oldest university in Spain, having been founded in 1218, and houses the oldest library in Europe, containing 60,000 books; 500 of which are first-editions. Salamanca is also famous for housing two adjacent cathedrals – one
12 December 2013 CASTLEKNOCK GAZETTE 25
GAZETTE
TRAVEL
The legacy of acclaimed Spanish writer, Miguel de
Beatriz, a worker in a ham shop, echoed locals’ enthusiasm for the dizzying variety
Cervantes, looms large over Alcala de Henares
of meats for which Salamanca is renowned
the lush grass around the historic walls of Avila city
Romanesque, and one Gothic. A short stroll from the cathedrals led us to the beautiful, tranquil garden, Huerto de Calixto y Melibea. The name translates as “the Orchard of Calisto and Melibea” – two characters in the old Spanish novel, La Celestina, which has a similar storyline to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Because of this, the garden well has many signed padlocks locked on to it, left there by couples who sealed their love with them. Salamanca also boasts the 18th century main square, Plaza Mayor, in the heart of the city. Over time, it has been used for many purposes, including for markets, bull fighting and concerts. Today, it’s a popular meeting spot, and the
buildings are mainly used as student accommodation. An interesting place to visit in Salamanca is the Art Noveau and Art Deco Museum in Casa Lis. Once a private palace with elaborate stained glass windows, this museum now exhibits 19 collections of almost 2,500 pieces of decorative art from the late 19th and early 20th century. The trip proved to me that there’s a lot more to Spain than sunshine and beaches. The inland cities of Alcala de Henares, Avila and Salamanca all retain their historic buildings, and yet modern life continues within them. Their historical and cultural contributions to Spain have truly made them the country’s treasures, and are well worth a visit.
Part of Cervantes Square, in Alcala de Henares
Part of the lovely and ornate exterior of Salamanca Cathedral
GETTING THERE: REACHING SPAIN’S HERITAGE TREASURES Hiromi flew with Iberia Express from Dublin to Madrid Barajas Airport. For flight details,
in use and to keep them maintained. As each Parador has been converted into
see www.iberiaexpress.com.
different old buildings, you are guaranteed a
To plan your own rustic experience in Spain,
unique experience as no two Paradors are
see www.spainheritagecities.com.
the same.
Where to stay
de Henares was a converted convent, once
To fully immerse yourself into rustic Spain,
known as the Santo Tomas de Aquino
and to truly appreciate the interconnection
Church, while the Paradors that she stayed
of old buildings and modern life, try staying at
in at Avila and Salamanca were converted
a Parador hotel.
“palacios”, or mansions.
The Parador that Hiromi stayed in Alcala
Parador is a chain of luxury hotels set up
For further information on the Parador
by the Spanish government in 1928, which
hotels, see www.parador.es, or see the site
A random encounter saw Spanish warmth and
uses refurbished old buildings, such as cas-
for the official Irish agents for Parador, Map
courtesy to the fore when Julio Jimenez, who finished
tles, palaces and monasteries, to keep them
Travel, at www.maptravel.ie.
in second place in the 1967 Tour de France, kindly presented the writer with an autographed photo
26 Castleknock Gazette 12 December 2013
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12 December 2013 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 27
awards P28
asdfsdaf gaelic games P27 P31
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
badminton P29
FastSport lawrie unable to build on epic end to 2013:
Alan Brogan and Eamon Coghlan at the launch of last year’s GOAL mile with the help of and five year-old Rebecca Keenan from Cabinteely
athletics: A bit of pre-turkey exercise in aid of global development and aid
Put on your trainers for a mile for charity on Dec 25 Local sporting legends Leo Cullen, Alan Brogan and Eamon Coghlan have joined with Goal to help promote this year’s annual GOAL Mile events on Christmas Day. Athletics legend Sonia O’ Sullivan has also signed up to be part of this year’s GOAL Mile campaign as the event goes global. O’Sullivan, a longstanding GOAL patron has even agreed to lead the first ever mile in Melbourne, Australia. This is the first ever time in the 32-year history of the event that it will
be held in the southern hemisphere. Miles will also be held this year in New York and London and in more than 100 locations across Ireland. Among those locations is an array of locations across Dublin, which include meets at Skerries, Malahide Castle, and Morton Stadium in Santry. Carton House in Maynooth will host a Mile, as will Lucan Harriers athletics club, and Corkagh Park in Clondalkin is expecting to see valiant athletes out on December 25. Phoenix Park runners will meet at the
Papal Cross, while further south, runs will take place at Stradbrook Rugby Club and Kilbogget Park in Killiney. The GOAL Mile gives friends, family and neighbours the chance to simply run or walk a mile, and make a donation to GOAL. The popular fundraiser has grown and grown over the years, and is now an integral part of the Christmas period for thousands of people. Last year, GOAL Miles took place in 100 locations around Ireland and raised in excess of €158,000 for GOAL’s
programmes in the developing world. GOAL could not have done this without those who took part in and, in particular, those who organised Miles up and down the country. Your continued support is hugely appreciated as it helps GOAL to make a real difference in the 13 countries where we work. A full list of the locations where GOAL Miles are taking place, as well as more information about how to get involved, appears at www.goal.ie/ Goal_Mile/731 and at www.facebook. com/events/547697598645102/
HAVING just about secured his playing card for the 2014 European Tour season, Castleknock’s Peter Lawrie’s tough start to the year continued as he missed a third successive cut last weekend. Rounds of 77 and 70 saw him miss out at the Hong Kong Open while a week earlier he missed out at the Alfred Dunhill Championship. It meant he was unable to build on his epic tie for 18th place at the Perth International when the pressure was on. That result meant he ended the 2013 season in 110th on the Road to Dubai and inside the cut off point for a card for the 2014 season, avoiding a trip to qualifying school.
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 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 12 December 2013
SPORT
FastSport applications welcomed for gaelic4girls: Gaelic4girls, a nationwide programme offered by the Ladies Gaelic Football Association to girls aged between 8 and 12 to get involved in the game, is now receiving applications for the 2014 initiative. The camps offer an opportunity for clubs to attract vital new members to help secure their future. As an extra incentive, clubs that take part will have a chance of playing in Croke Park at a national blitz day next summer. Participating clubs will receive free training for coaches and co-ordinators and will receive marketing resources to ensure that they appeal to the maximum amount of players possible. Application forms to host a Gaelic4Girls camp are available to download from www. ladiesgaelic.ie, and must be returned to Leinster’s provincial development officer, Aisling Hubbard at gdo@leinstergaelic.ie by January 31.
nominations: rte lists show depth of quality and talent in local sport
Dublin stars to the fore in award list sport@gazettegroup.com
An array of Dublin sporting talent from across Gazette Country and beyond have been nominated in the shortlist for the RTE Sports Awards, which were announced last week, and which will be presented on Saturday, December 21. There is also a wide range of sports rep-
r e s e n t e d t h i s y e a r, reflecting the variety of achievement of Irish spor ts people on a plethora of platforms. The Dublin senior football team, containing a large Gazette representation, are nominated for the team of the year after their national league, Leinster and AllIreland achievements, alongside Round Tower Clondalkin hero and
Round Tower’s Jim Gavin at Croke Park
Dublin manager Jim Gavin for the manager of the year award. At the same time, Ballyboden St Enda’s star Michael Darragh Macauley has been nominated as one of the sportspeople of the year. Macauley is not the only local hero to get a nod in the spor tsperson shortlist, with north county resident Martyn Irvine among the potential winners following his gold and silver success at the World Track Championship in Minsk, the first Irishman to medal in the elite cycling event for over 100 years. Also nominated is champion sailor Annalise Murphy for h e r a c h i ve m e n t s a t the European sailing championships, taking gold to make up for her disappointment in the
Martyn Irvine on his return to Ireland from his victorious world championships
London 2012 Olympics. Jonathan Sexton is another of the sportspeople nominated, his part in bringing Leinster the Pro 12 title and the Amlim Challenge Cup, as well as appearing for the national team and the British and Irish Lions on their tour of Australia earning him the place among the year’s best. As well as the all-conquering Dubs, were the Ireland women’s rugby team, who achieved the holy grail of northern hemisphere rugby, the 6 Nations Grand Slam, for the first time this year, the Leinster rugby team, and the Irish paralympic swimming team, which fea-
tured a number of local stars including Ellen Keane and James Scully, and were guided by NAC’s James Malone, who were the winners of a record eight IPC World Championship medals Also appearing amid the nominees for the manager of the year are former Sporting Fingal and current St Pat’s Athletic manager Liam
Buckley for his guidance of the club to the Airtricity League title for the first time in 14 years. The winners will be revealed and presented with their awards at The RTÉ Sports Awards in association with The Irish Sports Council which will be broadcast live on RTÉ One, Saturday 21 December at 9.45pm.
The grand slam winning Irish women rugby team
Heroes in abundance in new sport photography book sport@gazettegroup.com
The Dublin team before their match against Mayo in 2012 is one of the dramatic images in Heroes. Picture: ©INPHO/James Crombie
ONE oF Ireland’s leading sports photography agencies, Inpho Photography, has launched a new book celebrating 25 years of sports photography. The book, created in association with camera manufacturer Canon, is entitled Heroes and is a visual insight into some of the most memorable sporting moments both at home and abroad. The book is the brainchild of Inpho photographer Billy
Stickland who along with his team has taken some of the most famous sports photography in Ireland using Canon cameras. From Packie Bonner ’s memorable save against Romania at Italia ’90, to Clare hurler Shane O’Donnell’s hat trick at this year’s All Ireland hurling final, Heroes is a whistle-stop tour of some the great sporting moments of our time and also includes many stunning feature pictures of well know sports personalities.
Commenting on the book, Billy Stickland, managing director, Inpho Photography said: “Over the past 25 years we have had the privilege to photograph some of the most memorable moments in sports history. Heroes is an opportunity for us to show our most creative work in one place and also share these wonderful sporting memories with sports fans around Ireland.” Jonothan Sultan, marketing manager at Canon, said: “We are delighted to work
with Billy and all the team at Inpho on this fantastic book celebrating a quarter of a century of sports photography at Inpho. “At Canon, we are passionate about the power of the image and this book really brings this ethos to life. Every image evokes a wonderful sporting memory and captures a moment in time which is the essence of great photography.” Heroes is available from www.inpho.ie/book and is priced at €29.99.
12 December 2013 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 29
Gazette
Focus on the future a gameplan for success Dundrum’s Scott Evans hit the heights nationally this time last year, but his tough year on the circuit has refined his career direction and hopes for European glory next year in Russia A year after attaining one of his first major honours in the sport at Irish Open this time last year, Dundrum’s Scott Evans has endured a tough year in the sport, but is hoping that a fresh approach and new focus will help him scale further up the heights of world badminton. Last December’s win at Baldoyle was achieved without losing a set, and was the first victory for a home player in the competition for almost forty years, but this year’s tournament has gone up a level in terms of the prize money on offer and in turn the level and quality of players taking part. This, together with the experiences of the last 12 months, will make things harder for Evans to reclaim the top honours in the open tournament. After that historic win last year, Evans went on
to success in the Cyprus Invitational, but that was his last big win on the tough international circuit, the cause being something that Evans has clearly identified and is addressing in his current planning for the future of his career. “I played a lot of tournaments and was travelling a lot in the early part of the year, so I did not have a lot of time for training and, after so much travelling, my performances started to go down. “Then I was unlucky in June when I got injured in Asia. I was meant to be there for three weeks for three tournaments and I had to pull out when I tore a muscle two days before the first tournament. “I had to travel home, and I had five weeks of rehab, so not a lot badminton, just a lot of work to get the injury better.” The fact this coincided
Scott Evans in action at the London 2012 Olympic games
with his decision to leave the Team GB camp in Milton Keynes where he had been training two weeks before the start of the world championships would give the impression that this has been a year of hardship for Evans, but the decision to return to his adopted home in Denmark proved fortuitious. “I moved back just as Peter Gade [a five-time European champion and world silver medalist in 2011] retired, and when there was a chance to start working with him, I jumped at it. “It is amazing to be able to work with someone like him , who has experienced everything in the sport. “Peter has been trying to change a couple of things in my game, and it has been harder than I expected, which is maybe why my performances have not been so good, but I believe what Peter
is teaching me. It’s clear I need to learn these new things in order to move on to the next level, and it will take time.” Evans spoke to Gazette Sport just before he was due to fly back to Ireland for the open, where he is seeded number four this year - the players above
“I need to get in a long period of training. I have not had that for a long time. That will be my main focus, and I won’t play as many tournaments as I normally would. I would prefer to do it differently this time around, give myself a really good shot of getting a medal,
--------------------------------------------------------
‘You meet good players in the first rounds these days, and if you don’t stick to your game plan, you’ll be going home’ Scott Evans --------------------------------------------------------
him are Finland’s Ville Lang, Malaysia’s Misbun Ramdan Mohmed Misbun and Denmark’s Joachim Persson. Evans has previously played and beaten both Lang and Persson, but he knows that he will need to bring his A game in the coming days. “I have an okay draw, but I need to play well and be focused. It is so tough these days. It’s not like before when there was an easy couple of opening rounds. It is who is at their best on the day who will go through. “You meet very good players in the first round these days, and if you don’t stick to your plan, you’ll be going home.” Evans has a clear game plan in place for the next few months leading up to the European championships in Russia in April.
no matter who I am up against. If I am in my best shape and I have a lot of training time in the bag, I know that is possible.” As far as the game at home is concerned, Evans is clear about what is going on here although he is based a long way from home. “The game in Ireland is moving in the right direction — they now have the national centre and there are people training full time. “I said around seven years ago that that would be necessary if badminton in Ireland is going to get more players to a better level more often, rather than every 30 or 40 years. “The people at Badminton Ireland are doing a great job with the resources they have, and are really helping the sport at home,” said Evans.
FastSport
O’Brien and Joyce named in ICC associate awards Ireland’s cricket stars Kevin O’Brien (above, Picture: IDI/Getty Images) and Ed Joyce have been named as two of the four nominees for the ICC Associate and Affiliate Cricketer of the Year at the 2013 LG ICC Awards. O’Brien and Joyce were included in the lists after their successes in the green whites this season, both of their contributions driving Ireland toward this level of recognition at the associate level in the sport. Joyce’s performances with the bat were top notch. He scored 100 against Pakistan in May and helped the side home during the world cup qualifiers in July which saw Ireland stake their place in the 2015 competition with victory against the Netherlands, his unbeaten 96 giving Ireland the impetus in Amstelveen. O’Brien, meanwhile, has been recognised for his form with both bat and ball this year, in what has been the most consistent of his career so far. The ICC Associate and Affiliate Cricketer of the Year award serves to recognise and reward the efforts in international matches of the outstanding cricketers from the teams outside the ICC full members. O’Brien and Joyce are joined on the shortlist for the award by fellow nominees Kyle Coetzer of Scotland and Nawroz Mangal of Afghanistan. Speaking to Gazette Sport, Andrew Leonard of Cricket Ireland said: “It is fantastic to have the lads named in these awards, and gives an indication of our dominance in associate cricket, but are also indicative of our great team performances. “We are at the top of the game, winning the world cup qualifiers this summer and just coming back from having won the T20 world championships. With the intercontinental cup final against Afganistan next week, there is a chance that we can do the treble of trophies at all three formats of the sport.” The team took the field at the global cricket academy in Dubai in the intecontinental cup final on Tuesday, and will finish this weekend, and the event is streaming live on cricketireland.com. Speaking ahead of the tournament. manager Phil Simmons said: “This team continues to improve and grow and their appetite for trophies and world cups shows no sign of waning.”
Gazette
30 CASTLEKNOCK gazette 12 December 2013
SPORT
FastSport
soccer: castleknock under-15s progress in league cup
Castleknock CC start new rugby programme INTEREST in rugby at Castleknock Community College is on a steady rise with the addition of a new first-year team to add to their junior and senior squads. Last Thursday, CCC had their first outing with first-year students at a blitz run by Leinster Rugby and Dublin City Council in Clontarf with the Dublin 15 outfit coming up against St Vincent’s of Glasnevin and a first and second team from St David’s CBS in Artane. For a first attempt at a match outside training, they did superbly, winning their first match against Vincent’s 12-7 before losing both matches to Davids, 10-0 in the first game and 7-0 in the second. Getting a team of first-year students out has been the result of a successful school Sports Hour programme which runs every Wednesday for the first six weeks of the school year. Rugby head coach Daniel Pitcher, a volunteer broadcaster with 92.5 Phoenix FM in Blanchardstown and Sports broadcaster with Dublin’s FM104 spoke to GazetteSport about how the programme works. He said: “For the first six weeks of the school year the sports hour programme would take place on a Wednesday afternoon after school finishes. “It is run by the school’s PE department and is compulsory for all first-year student’s, they can choose what sport they want to play and the sports prefects in the school would coach them in that particular sport. “With rugby, we already have junior and senior teams so we would incorporate first years who decide they want to do rugby for that hour with the rest of our squads; they can then decide at the end of the six weeks if they want to continue playing with us, which most do.” A past pupil in CCC, he remembers a time when there was no school rugby team and he says interest took off out of nowhere. “There was never a team in the school when I was there,” he said. “But when I was in sixth year, I got involved with setting up a team which I helped coach with one of the teachers in the school.” “Interest just grew from there and we had sides competing in the Leinster development schools league, which was great for the school.”
Alex Regan scoring for Castleknock Celtic in their NDSL Under-15s League Cup section decider against Rivervalley Rangers.
Celtic put Rangers to sword nDSL U-15D league cup Castleknock Celtic Rivervalley Rangers sport@gazettegroup.com
2 0
CASTLEKNOCK Celtic’s NDSL Under-15Ds got the better of Rivervalley Rangers in Porterstown Park last weekend in this League Cup game which would decide who progressed to the knockout phases. The game had it all goals, disallowed goals, penalties, and a sendingoff, making it a real oldstyle, all-action cup tie. It was clear that the Celtic boys were up for this one as their willingness
to work off the ball and pressurise was evident from the start. On the ball, Celtic looked composed with their passing play a joy to behold. It was therefore no surprise when they went one up. A quick corner was taken by Peter Germaine to Rob Laffey whose exquisite cross was met at the back post by Omar Emara. He rose high to place a deft header into the net. Minutes later it looked set for 2-0 but the referee adjudged that the ball had not fully crossed the line. Rivervalley battled
outdoor pursuits Erin Go Bragh toasts 2013 season in style erin Go Bragh’s Under-12s enjoyed their team day out in Kippure Estate Wicklow recently. In the morning, the lads tackled the high ropes course, archery and some team challenges. The afternoon was spent doing the bush craft challenge which involved camp building, food hunting and cooking. The team will be stepping up to U-13 football and U-14 hurling next season. Contact mentor Karl Johnson for more details on 087 2352074.
their way back into the game which became a tense affair. The football became a bit ragged with both defences mopping up easily from a number of long balls. The coaches encouraged Celtic to keep the ball on the ground and introduced Stephen Lynch in an attempt to restore Celtic’s superiority. It seemed to work as Celtic upped their game once again and got the reward their play deserved. Luke Mulcahy found Germaine on the left who proceeded to weave
his way through three players before squaring the ball to Alex Regan who kept his cool to finish from four yards out. The crowd thought it was 3-0 when Emara headed in from a lovely Cian Galvin corner, however the goal was ruled out for another infringement. The second half was a tough affair. While Castleknock had more of the ball, Rivervalley always looked dangerous from counter attacks. Indeed it was one of the counter attacks that saw Celtic concede a needless penalty. The coolest play-
er on the pitch proved to be Celtic’s keeper, James Igoe, who dived to his right to make a wonderful save, and it proved crucial as it lifted the spirits in the home side. Nowhere was this more evident than in the performance of Liam O’Neill, who was back to his best causing mayhem in the Rangers’ defence. Denied a penalty he carved out two great chances for himself and only good goalkeeping prevented him scoring. Celtic now look forward to the draw for the next round of the Cup in the New Year.
12 December 2013 CASTLEKNOCK gazette 31
Gazette
Castleknock fightback comes up short sport@gazettegroup.com
CASTLEKNOCK missed out on a place in the Under-21 C championship final after they were shaded out by Clanna Gael Fontenoy last Saturday. They fell by just a single point on a 1-10 to 1-9 scoreline after they produced a big second half
comeback but ultimately came up just short. The Ringsend side s c o r e d 1- 5 w i t h o u t response to lead by seven points as halftime was closing in after Alex Hannigan had initially given Castleknock the lead. But an Ian McSharry goal gave the Somerton side a major lifeline at
the break, making it 1-5 to 1-1. And further scores in the second period from Paul Bourke and Andrew Hughes kept them pushing on in the second half but they were stung late in the game to deny them a place in the decider against Na Fianna B. Earlier in the compe-
tition, Castleknock saw off Naomh Olaf 4-12 to 1-3 having been given a bye in the first phase of the competition. It completes a memorable 2013 season on the adult front in which the hurlers moved up to intermediate status while the footballers got up to senior for the very first time.
camogie: lucan dominance ended by dublin 15 side
Club Noticeboard castleknock HARD luck to the U-21 football-
registration forms, can be found in
ers who lost their C Championship
the forms section of the website.
semi-final to Clanna Gael by the
The club is holding a Christmas
narrowest of margins in Somerton
pub fun run on December 27, to raise
on Saturday.
money for the clubhouse appeal.
The club would like to formally
Initial details are on the website
thank Bernard O’Keeffe, Lorraine
with more information to follow
Hager ty, Finbar Brady and Paul
during the week.
Hughes, who all stepped down from
If you would like to run, please
the executive at the AGM last Mon-
contact the PRO, Dave Sweeney, at
day, for all of the hard work that
087 7495344.
they have done for the club during their tenure. As a result, the club is now in
The annual kid’s Christmas party is on this Saturday, December 14, in CCC from 2-4pm. Entrance is €5.
need of a new juvenile chairperson
A number of valuable items were
and ladies chairperson for the new
stolen from the dressing room in
year.
Somerton at the weekend during
Anyone interested can contact
a match so we would ask people to
Lisa, the club secretary, at secre-
continue to be vigilant for any sus-
tary@castleknock.net.
picious activity, to be as careful as
Another outcome of the AGM was a review of the subscription fees for next year. Each member will now have to fill out a new registration form, even
they can with any valuable items. Club calendar 2014 will be available at the last nursery of the year next Saturday in Somerton before the Christmas break.
if they are on the direct debit, and
The club would like to send its
submitted to the registrar, Joe
sincere condolences to the Maho-
Sweeney.
ny/McWilliams family on the death
Full details, including the new
of Yvonne’s father, Tommy.
st brigid’s The St Brigid’s U-15 side that beat Lucan Sarsfields last weekend to claim their first title
Brigid’s finally land U-15 league crown u-15 camogie final St Brigid’s Lucan Sarsfields sport@gazettegroup.com
5-7 3-7
ST BRIGID’S Under-15 camogie player fulfilled their “never give up” motto as they claimed the Dublin Division 1 league title for the first time, after a gripping tussle with reigning champions Lucan Sarsfields. For the last three years, St Brigid’s had found a fine Lucan side just too good and suffered with some big defeats in key matches. The quality of Lucan
camogie sides can be seen in that they were reigning county champ i o n s a t Un d e r-14 , Under-15 and Under-16 – a huge achievement in any code. But after each loss, the St Brigid’s players went back training, more determined than ever to develop the skills to dethrone their old rivals. T hey have now achieved this by beating Lucan by 5-7 to 3-7 in a thrilling top-of-the-table decider played at Russell Park. Both sides featured current and future county players and produced a top quality showing of
breathtaking camogie from the throw-in to the final whistle. Despite St Brigid’s opening with an early point, it was Lucan that led after 10 minutes with a classy goal after some excellent teamwork. They increased their lead five minutes later when a long range speculative shot found the back of the net. St Brigid’s then upped their game and replied with some well worked goals of their own to regain the lead by half time, at 3-3 to Lucan’s 2-4. In a pulsating second
half, the game’s intensity went to a new level, as did the support from all the fans. Last second hooks, blocks and interceptions were the order of the day with time and space on the ball nonexistent. Trailing going into the final 10 minutes, Lucan went on all-out attack committing more players forward to try and break down the St Brigid’s defence, but the Russell Park side were not to be denied and a strong defensive line kept Lucan at bay until the referee’s final whistle.
THANKS to all those who helped
There was no lotto jackpot winner
organise a hugely successful chil-
last week in Myo’s; our jackpot now
dren’s Christmas Party in Russell
goes up to €8,400 for this week’s
Park over the weekend. A great
draw in Russell Park on Thursday
time was had by all.
evening after the AFL1 final.
A huge well done to our U-16 ladies
Special club lotto on December 19
footballers who claimed the cham-
with all proceeds going to St Fran-
pionship title with a brilliant win
cis Hospice in Blanchardstown.
over Parnells on Sunday evening.
Congrats to Paul Winters and
Our senior footballers play in
Alan Nolan on their 2013 Dub Star
the AFL 1 League Final on Thursday
2013 Awards for a great 2013 sea-
evening, December 12 at 7.30pm in
son.
Balgriffin against St Sylvester’s.
Adult hurling and football cham-
Huge support needed for the club’s
pionship regrading forms are now
final game of 2013.
on the club website.
Our club nursery takes a break
Please leave completed forms
fo r t h e Ch r i s t m a s p e r i o d a n d
behind the bar for Mary O’Connor.
resumes on Saturday, January, 11
Regrading form not needed for the
2014. It remains open for all four- to
league.
seven-year-olds in the Castleknock
Check out our updated TWIST
and Blanchardstown area, every
timetable with brilliant classes with
Saturday morning from 9.30am.
Damian, Cian, Graham and Ailish.
Great to see so many new mem-
Check out TWIST on club website,
bers and families arriving down;
Facebook and all are welcome. Our
new members are always welcome.
g ym/HPC is unavailable for use
Contact Paul on 087 915474 8 or
between 6pm and 8pm on Monday
email info@stbrigidsgaa.com for
evenings for the next few weeks.
more info. Our club shop runs every Friday evening from 7pm and every Saturday morning from 10am.
Make sure you tune into The Throw In every Monday evening at 7.30pm on 92.5 Phoenix FM. Deepest sympathies to the Moore
Orders are taken in the club shop
family on the pa ssing of John,
or by emailing Breege at breege-
former club coach and father of
carolan@hotmail.com.
Alan, Sean and Lisa.
GazetteSPORT all of your castleknock sports coverage from page 27-31
super saints: Brigid’s Under-15s stun Sarsfields to win first league crown with top notch display P31
december 12, 2013
TO russia with love: Badminton Olympian Scott Evans’s European focus P29
St Brigid’s aim to end year on a high paul healy
sport@gazettegroup.com
ST BRIGID’S manager Mark Byrne is under no illusions about the size of the task facing his side in their AFL1 Final clash with St Sylvester’s at Balgriffin this Thursday evening. “It’s going to be a very tough game,“ Byrne believes. “Sylvester’s target the league and they’re always very competitive in the league. It’s probably the worst team we could have got in the final.“ Thursday’s decider finally takes place after the Blanchardstown side’s final opponents overcame
Ballyboden St Enda’s last Wednesday evening in a semi-final replay – with St Brigid’s having demolished Kilmacud Crokes by 21points in their last-four meeting 10 days earlier. Byrne doesn’t read too much into that Crokes clash, however: “We played well but they were missing players, we were missing players.” Instead, he believes that St Brigid’s AFL1 league meeting with Syl’s back in July provides a truer picture of how things may turn out at Balgriffin: “It was a draw at their place. It was a very good game and endto-end and there was very little between the two teams. I’m
expecting this Thursday night to be the exact same and, depending on the conditions, with winter football anything can happen. We’re expecting a right, tough battle.“ Reflecting on the Russell Park outfit’s overall year, manager Byrne believes: “It was disappointing the way we went out in the championship [at the quarter-final stage to Ballyboden St Enda’s] and we lost key players at crucial times but we played well recently in the league, first, against Ballymun and then against Crokes. It was a sort of redemption for the lads after the championship. “Paddy Andrews and Barry Cahill are both still injured but,
this year, Philly Ryan stepped up and has been playing very well and Chris Dorney has come up from O’Toole’s and is starting to find his feet. Emlyn Mulligan from Leitrim is starting to get a run of games now too after injury.” The St Brigid’s manager did have his concerns about playing the AFL1 decider so late in the year. “It’s not ideal to play a league final in December because the players will have two weeks’ break and then head back into pre-season in January. Having said that it’s the same for both teams and if we win a league title on Thursday it’ll make up a bit for the way we exited the championship.“
St Brigid’s hope they can claim an early Christmas present with an AFL1 title