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MAY 24, 2012

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LUCAN • PALMERSTOWN • CELBRIDGE • LEIXLIP • ADAMSTOWN • DODSBORO • LIFFEY VALLEY • BALLYOWEN

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MAY 24, 2012

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LUCAN • PALMERSTOWN • CELBRIDGE • LEIXLIP • ADAMSTOWN • DODSBORO • LIFFEY VALLEY • BALLYOWEN

INSIDE: An Taoiseach is a surprise guest at local Treaty event P8-9

TREATY: Richard Boyd Barrett on

Europe’s resistance to austerity P12

A golden feeling: Eileen gets an Olympic gift LUCAN woman Eileen Dalton, a

Soccer: Final

frustration for Lucan United in Vere Deane Cup

Page 38

member of SportsWorld Running Club, enjoyed a golden feeling at the Tom Byrne 5km Road Race recently. She was presented with a special Cadbury Ireland Golden Ticket by local Fine Gael TD, Derek Keating, and Derry McVeigh, Silver Hatch Sports/ Lucan Harriers. Eileen’s special golden ticket will send her, and a guest, off to enjoy the Olympics – something well-worth smiling about, indeed.

Picture: Pixels Promotions

Football:

St Pat’s cruise into second round of SFC Page 37

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ..................... 4 BUSINESS ................... 23 MOTORS ....................... 24 TRAVEL......................... 26 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 28 CLASSIFIEDS ................31

Weston Airport sale may be ‘fairly soon’ Administrator I PAUL HOSFORD

confirms ‘a lot of interest’ in facility

THE administrators handling the sale of Weston Executive Airport expect to have it completed “fairly soon”.

The airport had been repossessed by NAMA following the collapse of former owner, Jim Mansfield’s business.

This week, there were reports in the media that the sale had been concluded, but Cormac O’Connor, from administrators KPMG confirmed to The Gazette that, as of Wednesday, no sale had been completed.

“There is very little to say, other than there are negotia-

tions ongoing and these are at an advanced stage.

“There is a timetable, but not one that I am willing to disclose – but we do expect to have a sale fairly soon,” said O’Connor, who confirmed that there had been “a lot of interest” in taking on the airport.

4 LUCAN GAZETTE 24 May 2012

LANDS: PROTECTING LOCAL AMENITY

SCHOOLS Transition Year students strike terrific chord

Tuffy seeks park update AN update on a Special Amenity Order for Liffey Valley Park will be requested by the Minister of State for the Environment, Jan O’Sullivan who is set to write to South Dublin County Council.

Local Labour TD Joanna Tuffy asked a Parliamentary Question in the Dail this week, calling on the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan to “provide an update on his role in relation to the Liffey Valley special amenity area and the need to ensure that the local authorities including Dublin City, Fingal, South Dublin and Kildare County Councils are working together to protect and enhance this amenity; if there are plans to extend this special amenity area through

an order by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter.”

The minister was not in the chamber to take the question, but Minister O’Sullivan said that three years had passed since the Department had written to the authorities and contact would be made again.

“In 2009, my predecessor requested the relevant authorities to consider the evaluation of lands to be the subject of further Special Amenity Area Orders.

“Given the time that has elapsed since the relevant planning authorities responded, I am considering writing to them again to seek their views/ intentions in relation to further Special Amenity Area Orders,” said Minister O’Sullivan.

Members of the production prepare to put on an outstanding show

Notable Miserables entertains L UCAN Community College’s Transition Year students recently staged a marvellous, Miserable production – Les Miserables, to be exact, with a particularly vibrant performance.

The classic musical saw a large cast staging a largerthan-life production of the well-known show, setting a

particularly high benchmark for school productions in the area. Tasked with presenting a particularly outstanding musical during the school’s 25th anniversary year, Lucan CC’s Transition Year students met the challenge with ease, with guidance from director, John O’Connor and musical director, Vivienne Conway.

Les Mis characters, Bamatabois (Samher Hassan) and Insp Javert (Sean Cullen)

The cast, in full voice, for the rousing finale

Nuns (Sinead O’Keeffe and Oliva Healy) with Jean Valjean (Oliver Moore)

24 May 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 5

COUNCIL Lavelle proposes energy efficient lighting plan

‘South Dublin should be sustainable energy hub’

I PAUL HOSFORD phosford@gazettegroup.com

SOUTH Dublin should become a sustainable energy hub, to avoid an overspend of nearly €500,000 on public lighting.

That is the opinion of Fine Gael councillor William Lavelle, who tabled a motion at this month’s council meeting suggesting “that the proposed Sustainable Energy Action Plan should include a detailed multi-year plan for a phased approach (with clear and realistic targets) to incrementally increase the percentage of public lighting columns in the county using energy-saving technology”.

Though the motion was moved to next month, Cllr Lavelle wants the issue

tackled, after figures at April’s council meeting showed the council overspent by €469,329 on public lighting.

The report said that the additional expenditure related to “increased energy costs associated with the provision of public lighting” and that the overspend was “offset by savings elsewhere within the division”.

While the council said this week that it had increased the budget for public lighting for 2012, Lavelle said that the increase would be unnecessary if the council were to adopt energy efficient lighting.

“I believe South Dublin County Council should become a leader in the provision of energy-efficient public lighting. This could save the council

hundreds of thousands of euros every year, while also contributing to our efforts to reduce the council’s carbon count. This move would also support local businesses in our county who are already developing cutting-edge technologies such as LED public lighting and a dimming mechanism,” said Cllr Lavelle.

Responding, the council said that there were nearly 30,000 lighting fixtures in the county and their provision had to balance value and service.

“There are approximately 29,500 public lighting fixtures of varying wattage in operation within South Dublin County.

Each fixture lights during hours of darkness for a total of 4,100 hours per annum.

“South Dublin Coun-

ty Council is currently exploring options for increasing public lighting energy efficiency; with (to date) the strategic installation of dimming technology on suitable public lighting circuits powering 1,200 installations (about 4% of public lights in South Dublin County Council) a reduc-

tion of approximately 30% in energy consumption has been realised at these sites. On an ongoing basis, infrastructural maintenance work and new public lighting installations incorporate dimming capabilities which will lead to further energy consumption reduction over time.”

Fine Gael councillor, William Lavelle

6 LUCAN GAZETTE 24 May 2012

TRANSPORT: NEW LINKS

Flybus connects direct to airport A NEW local business is linking Tallaght, Clondalkin, Liffey Valley and Dublin Airport, direct.

Flybus is a premium coach service that is also looking for new routes that the local community would be interested in, and will extend its timetable for the summer months, making connecting with the airport easier, as well as reducing their fares.

Discounts The company says that it offers a “top-class, toll-free coach service, offering the community reduced fares, online booking discounts and an extended timetable to help everyone in these tough times”.

For further information, see www.flybus.ie; email: info@flybus.ie; telephone 0818 91 9777, or find Flybus on Facebook and Twitter.

SPORT Joint application for all-weather facility

Lucan football clubs unite for €300,000 pitch I PAUL HOSFORD phosford@gazettegroup.com

FIVE Lucan soccer clubs will come together to apply for €300,000 in funding for an all-weather pitch.

At a joint photocall this week, the five Lucan football teams joined forces in a partnership launch to announce details of their application to the Department of Sport for a significant grant to build an allweather facility, to meet the needs of 1,200 young soccer players.

Following months of meetings and planning, local Fine Gael TD Derek Keating was on hand to launch the ambitious plan to develop an all-weather, full-size football pitch with rep-

resentatives from Arthur Griffith Park FC, Ballyowen Celtic FC, Beech Park FC, Esker Celtic FC and Lucan United FC. A joint application for €300,000 is planned to be submitted to the Department of Sport outlining the advantages such a development will bring to the Greater Lucan area.

Application “Nothing but the best” was the agreement between all five clubs, to ensure that the application gets the greatest possible opportunity to be granted.

With more than 1,200 boys and girls playing soccer every week during the season, all five teams have plans to expand their training, competi-

tions and facilities.

“Soccer is at an exhilarating stage, with our national team playing in the European finals,” said Deputy Keating.

“We can build on that energy, and provide an all-year-round facility. “ We s e e o b e s ity, depression, diabetes, asthma, bullying and anti-social behaviour on the increase in our area, and one of the ways to combat this is through sport,” he said.

“We are delighted to launch this project, knowing the struggles all are facing with difficult financial times.

“A dedicated voluntary development committee, comprising each of the five Lucan club members and myself [will ensure] that the very best effort is

Deputy Derek Keating (FG) with representatives of the five Lucan soccer clubs that are coming together to apply for €300,000 in funding for an all-weather pitch

made to achieve what is needed for the children,” said Deputy Keating.

Speaking at the photo call, Paul Cleary, of Esker Celtic, said: “The Lucan Soccer Partnership has been the best off-pitch news in Lucan since the first grant allocation for our clubhouse in Hermitage Park.

“Along with all the

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other clubs, Esker Celtic is proud to be associated with the Lucan Soccer Partnership, and all 40 teams in our club are looking forward to a positive outcome.

“Despite the current economic difficulties, it is great to see the local representative, Derek Keating, still has the interest of the voluntary

organisations at heart with such a sporting initiative. “[It is] a dream come true for our club – the difference a facility like this will make to more than 600 club members will be just fantastic,” he said.

As yet, no suitable site has been identified for the pitch.

Slide to star at Ruaille Buaille gig SOUTH Dublin County Council’s Arts Office and Library Services are set to welcome Ireland’s leading traditional band, Slide, to conduct a weeklong programme of workshops, master classes and concerts as part of Ruaille Buaille Lucan! 2012.

Slide’s festival residency will conclude with a live, outdoor performance in Griffeen Park, Lucan on Sunday, June 10.

Once again, Ruaille Buaille Lucan! 2012 will play host to Musical Theatre Ireland’s Operantics, who will perform Mozart’s The Magic Flute in an abridged version for children, in an open air performance on Lucan Village Green on Satur-

day, June 9.

The day will also feature a range of other opera events and fun family activities, and organisers are advising attendees to bring their own picnics, rugs, opera masks and comfortable seating, sit back and enjoy the afternoon of opera and an array of other children’s musical events.

With more than 40 events taking place over six days, as ever, there is much to look forward to at the festival. Tickets range from €2 to €3, and family events are all free.

For general festival enquiries and other bookings, contact Artscope on 01 505 9582, or email info@artscope.ie.

24 May 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 7

HEALTH Deputy Derek Keating wants action on smokers and children THEATRE:

Calls to make playgrounds smoke-free

I PAUL HOSFORD phosford@gazettegroup.com

CALLS have been made to make playgrounds in South Dublin smoke-free areas.

Deputy Derek Keating (FG) has written to South Dublin County Council to ask that it progresses the idea.

The call comes on the back of a proposal by

Fingal County Council to adopt a council-wide non-smoking policy for public playgrounds across the county, following the success of a pilot scheme in Blanchardstown.

Deputy Keating said: “The smoking-free initiative introduced by the Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly, plans to put in place regulations aimed at discouraging

people from smoking in the presence of children and in child-centred environments.

“The seriousness of second-hand smoke exposure for children is a major problem, and should be of concern to everyone.

“This issue has been discussed widely in the media, and in Leinster House; it is now time to take action against this

harmful practice.

“I am calling on the authorities in South Dublin County Council to implement bye-laws which protect children from exposure to second hand smoke, whether in a playground, a sporting environment or a recreational area,” said Deputy Keating.

He went on to say that, even without the bye-laws

enacted, locals should take responsibility for the well-being of children in parks.

“I appeal to smokers to be aware of the impact of smoking in the company of children for two reasons – which are the child’s health, and the potential for the adoption of learned behaviour in later life.

“It is a proven fact

that smokers’ children are more likely to smoke and, as a former smoker, I know the difficulties associated with the addiction, and also know the benefits of giving it up.”

Speaking to The Gazette, a South Dublin County Council spokesperson said that the issue was on their radar, and had been enacted in newer playgrounds.

Local’s book gathers old Dublin tales A NEW book by local author, Brendan Nolan, is already being posted overseas to the Irish diaspora to remind them of home.

Writer and local historian Nolan has gathered together some of the greatest true stories of Dublin into Dublin Folk Tales – a single book of more than 30 individual stories.

He said: “I’ve heard and told these stories for years. They are gathered here in portable form for people to take with them wherever they go.

“I know already that people have brought copies with them to Germany, Spain, Australia, California, and Canada.

Others have downloaded them through Kindle, wherever they live in the world.”

Included are stories of the Pig Woman of Dublin, Billy-in-the-Bowl, and the haunting story

of the Blood Field that began with a battle long ago in the lands around Clondalkin and comes right up to the presentday.

The book has been described as “a rare collection of stories, beyond the well-known stories to real gems that are told by the great storytellers of our time”.

Audiences Nolan has told stories to audiences throughout Ireland, England and Spain and is a member of Storytellers of Ireland.

A heritage exper t on storytelling, he has recently been added to Heritage Ireland’s list of recognised experts on storytelling and the Phoenix Park.

The book is available now from The History Press. It is on sale in all bookshops, and from the website, www.dublinfolktales.com.

WORLD PREMIERE

A darkly comic, post-9/11 creation THE Civic Theatre in Tallaght will present the world premiere of Griswold, the new play from Arnold Thomas Fanning, the writer of Dumped and T hose Powerful Machines.

According to the theatre company, Griswold is a riveting new play full of black humour about the dysfunctional relationship between two men who both need and depend on each other to survive in a hostile environment.

Illegally Two young Irish men are living illegally in a post-9/11 New York, with their lives falling far short of the American Dream.

Living in dire financial straits, their mutual friendship comes under unbearable strain as they struggle to survive in the most ridiculous and dangerous of circumstances.

A new chapter: Learning more about school’s state-of-the-art digital education services SECOND Year student Michaela Juravale was happy to get to grips with Adamstown Community College’s new digital educational facilities when she called to the school library recently.

The range of superb new facilities, and a highly-modern new library, were opened by the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn. Developed and managed by

County Dublin VEC, Adamstown Community College is one of the most modern and best-equipped schools in Ireland, with its 1,000 pupils availing of facilities that saw a total investment of €14 million from the Department of Education and Skills, with the school’s information technology facilities being particularly state-of-the-art, to ensure the best learning experience for pupils.

Dramatic Griswold is described as darkly comic and dramatic, and as “an experience not to be missed, with Fanning a writer whose work articulates a fresh and dislocated Irish voice”, said the show organiser.

The show runs from Tuesday, June 12 to Saturday, June 23 at 8pm, with tickets priced €20/€16 concessions.

8 LUCAN GAZETTE 24 May 2012

MEETING An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny addresses locals in a bid

Sister Carmel Earls

An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny was in relaxed mood as he arrived, while, inside, a more sombre mood was in place, with locals raising various hard-hitting points and questions about the pros and cons of ratifying the treaty

Engaging with the political process A

N TAOISEACH, Enda Kenny, was a surprise guest of honour at the recent Fiscal Compact Treaty meeting held at Scoil Aine Naomh, and hosted by local Fine Gael deputy, Derek Keating.

Joined by local Minister and party colleague, Frances Fitzgerald; Colin Culliton, CEO, The Printed Image, and former Taoiseach, John Bruton, Deputy Keating spoke passionately about why he, and his party, believe that it is essential for Ireland to ratify the treaty in the upcoming referendum, with John Bruton also lending his impressive political weight to the

argument for a Yes vote.

However, unsurprisingly, the Taoiseach held the most attention, as he addressed local citizens, business people and community leaders, urging them all to vote Yes to secure a better future, and help stabilise the country’s growth.

With a substantial portion of the elecorate yet to decide on their vote in the imminent referendum, the meeting fielded lots of questions and comments, showing the passion and interest that locals have in both engaging with the political process, and in playing their part in deciding Ireland’s future.

A large number of people had come along, keen to learn more about the Fiscal Compact

Pledging to talk about the Brian and Terry Owens

Fitzgerald; John Bruton,

24 May 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 9

to persuade them to vote Yes for the Fiscal Compact Treaty

Mr Kenny reiterated again and again why he, Mr Kenny was given a courteous welcome at the meeting

and the Government, believed in a Yes vote

Drawing upon his considerable political experience in Europe, John Bruton spoke passionately Treaty fairly ... Colin Culliton, CEO, The Printed Image; Minister for Children, Frances

about why he believes a Yes vote

former Taoiseach, and local Fine Gael deputy, Derek Keating. Pictures: Ian Fleming

is essential

Mr Kenny autographed Mary Keane’s Treaty brochure

10 LUCAN GAZETTE 24 May 2012

REALITY Dublin Housewives set to take TV3 by storm

Andrew Murphy and Suzie O’Connell

Jo Jordan, Lisa Murphy, Virginia Macari, Roz Flanagan and Daniella Meagher. Pictures: Una Williams

Sean Montague and Brendan Marc Scully

Cathy O’Connor

Launch

Ladies out on the town

Claire Ronan and Emma Copolla

Roz Purcell

Chris O’Hara, Lisa Murphy and Edward Smith

T

HE launch of TV3’s latest reality show, Dublin Housewives took place last week.

The stars and their friends hit the town to celebrate their arrival on our televisions in style. Those present included Virginia Macari, Roz Flanagan, Lisa Murphy, Jo Jordan and Danielle Meagher. The show promises a glimpse into their lives as they shop and lunch their days away before spending their evenings sipping cocktails. Each housewife, of course, sports her own handsome husband, beautiful children, immaculate home and fabulous wardrobe. Dublin Housewives airs Monday to Thursday, May 28 to 31 at 9.30pm on TV3.

Roz Flanagan with her daughters Moniquea (left), Melissa and Vicky

Melanie Finn and Michelle McGrath

24 May 2012 GAZETTE 11

12 GAZETTE 24 May 2012

TREATY ‘In 2015, our national debt is expected to be €200bn’

Vote No and join the European resistance

RICHARD BOYD BARRETT (PBP) claims resistance to austerity measures is growing across Europe, and urges voters to consider the long-term costs

IN THE debate on the Fiscal Treaty Referendum, the Government has engaged in a campaign of bullying and scare tactics – threatening catastrophe if people refuse to vote Yes. They have threatened to impose even harsher austerity and cuts in forthcoming budgets.

They have implied that Ireland might be thrown out of the euro, or that money might not come out of ATM machines.

We should not be intimidated by this nonsense

and scaremongering.

In reality, the opposite is the truth. It is precisely the agenda of cuts and austerity that has been applied by the EU-ECBIMF over the past number of years, and that is copper-fastened in the Fiscal Treaty, which is crippling our economy and the wider European economy, and is now threatening to turn economic recession into a continent-wide depression.

The Fiscal Treaty is, pure and simple, a recipe for long-term austerity and cuts being imposed

on ordinary citizens in order to protect the interests of banks and financial speculators.

It is also a further attack on democracy in Europe – handing more power to unelected bureaucrats in the EU. The Treaty proposes to put a legal compulsion on states to reduce their structural budget deficits to 0.5% of GDP (the total output of the economy), and to reduce the national debt to being no more than 60% of GDP. Under the terms of the Treaty, states that fail to

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do this will have automatic “correction” imposed on them to force them to meet these targets, and can have hefty fines of up to €160 million for breaching the fiscal rules.

The Government claim this is simply a matter of good housekeeping.

However, what they fail to acknowledge is that a very large part of the reason that Ireland has a big budget deficit, and an enormous national debt, is that the EU-ECB-IMF has forced almost €100 billion of private banking debt onto the backs of the Irish people.

In this context, the demand to slash budgets to reach the Treaty’s debt and deficit targets is, in fact, a demand that the Irish people accept massive cuts and austerity for years to come, in order to pay off the gambling debts of European banks and speculators.

The Government have refused to own up to this fact, and to tell the public how much this will cost our society in terms of further cuts and austerity.

In fact, throughout the debate on the Treaty, the Government have relied completely on scare tactics – warning of the supposedly dire consequences of voting No – but have refused to talk about what is actually in the Treaty, and what the consequences would be of applying the Treaty’s provisions to the Irish economy.

This is despite the fact that the Government have the facts and figures, and know quite well what the cost will be.

The Government’s forecast for the structural deficit in 2015, when Ireland is due to exit the EU-IMF programme,

Richard Boyd Barrett: Fiscal Compact ‘a recipe for permanent unemployment’

and when the provisions of the Treaty would come into force, is 3.2%.

Our GDP at that point is expected to be €179 billion. So, in order to bring the deficit down to 0.5%, we will have to make a further €5.7 billion in cuts. This will come on top of €8.6 billion of cuts the Government are obliged to make over the next three years under the EU-IMF programme.

On top of this, the Treaty requires that, every year, the Government must pay down 5% of the gap between our debt-toGDP ratio, and the Treaty target of 60%.

In 2015, our national debt is expected to be €200 billion, and 120% of GDP.

So, the gap will be €100 billion, and we will have to pay down 5% of that annually – which means, in the first year that the Treaty provisions are applied, we will have to pay-off €5 billion; more than €4 billion for the next four years after that, and more than €3 billion for the next four years after that.

On top of all this, we will also be paying interest on this massive debt every year, which, in 2015, will be about €8 billion in interest.

Quite simply, this level of cutting is unsustainable, and even attempting to impose that level of austerity would devastate our economy and society. It is a recipe for

permanent mass unemployment and economic depression.

We have to say No to this economic madness.

We must tell Europe’s leaders that this odious debt must be writtendown, and that the banks and speculators who caused the crisis in the first place are the ones who must pay to clean it up.

Voting No on May 31 is the best way to send this message to Europe, and to play our part in the growing resistance across Europe to the failed and disastrous policy of austerity.

Richard Boyd Barrett People Before Profit TD, Dun Laoghaire

24 May 2012 GAZETTE 13

CONFERENCE Publishing’s future issues

Gallagher, Tweetgate and media challenges discussed

I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com

THE main attraction at the recent Media Future conference held in the Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire was ex-presidential candidate, Sean Gallagher.

Gallagher was giving his first interview since the infamous “Twittergate” incident on RTE’s Frontline programme, which hosted a debate between all of the Presidencial candidates.

Jack Murray, founder/ director of Mediacontact, and the Media Future conference, interviewed Gallagher at the end of the conference.

On May 14 and 15, Murray brought together in the theatre the world’s leading media people, in an event that was sponsored by Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Coun-

cil, RTE, IADT, Failte Ireland and many more.

During the two-day conference, there were 30 speakers, as well as four workshops.

Among the other speakers at the two day event were John Macht, Harvard Business Review Group publisher; Raju Narisetti, The Wall Street Journal; Mariann Hardey, Durham University; Laura Evans, The Washington Post; Ian Wharton, creative partner, Zolmo; Olivia Solon, associate editor, Wired.co.uk; Hugh Garry, BBC Radio and Kevin O’Sullivan, editor, The Irish Times.

All conference speeches were available to watch live, as it was streamed on Media Future’s website.

Matters being discussed included key media trends, technologies and topics that will

HEALTH: ANNUAL FLORA WOMEN’S MARATHON

Put on your runners to help with the cancer fight

Businessman and former Presidential candidate, Sean Gallagher, was a guest speaker at the Pavilion Theatre

shape the future.

Olivia Solon, of Wired. co.uk, a technological web-publication, spoke of the possibility of robots replacing journalists in the future.

However, according to Solon, journalists need not worry just yet, as there are still many distinctly human things that robots cannot process, and journalists’ honing of these special skills will assure their dominance.

She mentioned such points as humour, empathy and instinct among journalist’s most valuable advantages over machines.

Anthony Mayfield, who deals with digital

brand marketing, spoke of the media as a field inhabited by optimists.

In the future, Mayfield sees the way forward as a “low and slow approach”, which sees a larger picture towards a company’s goals, and works on building a system for engaging with customers, rather than the single campaigns of old.

Ian W har ton, of Zolmo, spoke of new technologies and their application to companies in novel ways.

His company currently provides an app for Jamie Oliver’s recipes, and he insists on using the right tool for the right job. For instance, the recipes are much handier to read

on an iPad than on an iPhone.

Wharton said that everything today is “convenience-driven”, and the mobile phone is the most convenient device for media today – the Apple app store is about to hit 25 billion downloads.

However, he thinks the public need to be reeducated on the value of online material, as they’ve been used to getting all kinds of material – including news – online for free.

All of the food at the conference was sponsored by Indian restaurant, Rasam, of Glasthule, and was specially praised by the organiser, Jack Murray.

HELP stomp out cancer and cross the finishing line for the Irish Cancer Society in this year’s Flora Women’s Mini Marathon 2012.

For the past 30 years, thousands of women have put on their running shoes to get fit, have fun and raise money in the annual Flora Women’s Mini Marathon.

This year, the Irish Cancer Society is appealing to runners, walkers and joggers to cross the finishing line on its behalf.

The society hopes to raise €300,000 through the event, which will go towards providing care and support to people living with cancer in Ireland.

This year alone, almost 30,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer in Ireland, and new cancer cases are expected to reach more than 43,000 by the year 2020.

Cancer will affect onein-three people in Ireland during their lifetime, and the biggest risk factor for developing cancer is increasing age.

The early detection

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

‘The Irish Cancer Society hopes to raise €300,000 through the event’

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of cancer is crucial for a good outcome, and up to 50% of all cancers are preventable. Cancer differs from most other diseases in that it can develop at any stage in life, and in any body organ, but it is primarily a disease of ageing.

Cancer is increasingly viewed as a condition from which people survive, and very high cure rates can be achieved for some types of cancer.

Support the Irish Cancer Society and join the Women’s Mini Marathon team on Bank Holiday Monday, June 4.

For a sponsorship pack and t-shirt, CallSave 1850 60 60 60, or email womensminimarathon@irishcancer.ie. Join in the fun and be cancer aware.

14 GAZETTE 24 May 2012

EVENT: FAMILY FUN

MUSIC Tom Dunne, Newstalk DJ and the former

Search for

Amazing line-up at Leixlip Festival

I PAUL HOSFORD phosford@gazettegroup.com

LEIXLIP Festival, taking place from May 31 till June 4, promises to be the best year yet with an amazing line-up of talented musicians.

Bressie, Ryan Sheridan, Damien Dempsey and Delorentos are all taking part on the line-up, which includes many talented local bands as well.

Entertainment There will be nightly pub entertainment, as well as clowns, stilt walkers, fire-eaters, a Punch and Judy show, bouncy castles, magicians, as well as many more.

There will also be a summer fair in the grounds of St Mary’s Church on Saturday, June 2 and a tug-o-war competition on Sunday, June 3.

For more details go to www.leixlipfestival.com.

Tom Dunne, Newstalk DJ: ‘Playing is the best way to hone your art’

TOM Dunne wants to hear you sing. But, before you start accosting the Newstalk DJ, Dunne is interested in finding the best unsigned singer songwriter in the country.

The former Something Happens frontman is no stranger to the trials and tribulations that come with putting a song together, and will be joined on the judging panel by Indie-pendence festival organiser, Shane Dunne; A&R consultant, Thomas Black, and Steve Wall, of The Walls.

On offer is a spot performing live on the Tom Dunne show, a slot on the Indie-pendence festival alongside Feeder, Royseven, Delorentos, and Jape, and a day’s recording in the worldrenow ned Windmill

Lane recording studio.

Dunne says the response has been overwhelming, so far.

“It’s been very good so far. There’s a lot of MP3s and CDs coming in. People really like it, and I think the reason is – and I’m at pains [to point out] – it’s not one of those reality shows where you get slagged or pilloried.

Encouragement “If the stuff is good, we’ll give it encouragement; if it’s not good, we’ll have a quiet word.

I think songwriting is something that responds to a bit of encouragement and a bit of expert help along the way.

“That’s what we’re trying to do,” says Dunne, whose passion for the subject is evident throughout talking to The Gazette.

Having Dunne on the

panel adds a legitimacy that other competitions lack. With no Facebook voting or viral videos needed, this is one competition that is purely about finding someone with promise.

He says: “Some people get good at songwriting very quickly, but it is a craft. The more you do it, the better you’ll get at it.

“When I think back to what we wrote in the early days, there were little glimpses of promise in it, which, I suppose, is why Virgin signed us.

“But it wasn’t until we got to the second album, when we were rehearsing and writing eight hours a day, that it went up in a quantum leap.

“I think about two words: talent and opportunity. You can have all the talent in the world and not get the opportunity, or can have no talent and get all the oppor-

24 May 2012 GAZETTE 15

frontman of Something Happens, on new contest

‘best unsigned singer’ tunity and it still won’t go anywhere,” he says.

The level of patience to allow bands develop is something that is increasingly being lost in a world where success is demanded immediately.

“I think it’s an encouragement thing, to be honest. When you look around and see good bands dropped really quickly, you get the sense of ‘What’s the point in trying?’. Bands get discouraged very quickly.

“There’s a number of bands that didn’t get good or successful until their third or fourth album. REM must have been on their sixth album by the time they got successful.

“It’s a different environment, now. We were talking to [U2 manager] Paul McGuinness, and he’s convinced that, somewhere in Dublin, someone is writing a

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

‘I’m looking for some small degree of originality...

All of the really good songs can be played with just an acoustic and a voice’

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

Tom Dunne, DJ

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

Dunne made his mark with Something Happens

song that we’ll all be singing in a year.”

Dunne, whose 1990 hit, Parachute, is still being sung today, says that there is currently too much focus on writing “that” hit, and he advocates a more natural approach.

“You should be going after quality and trying

to write a good song. I think if you start thinking about what will pay your bills, it becomes a prophecy of deceit to yourself.

“I listen to pretty much everything I get, and I’m looking for some small degree of originality, be it in the voice, the lyric or the approach.

“All of the really good songs can be played with just an acoustic and a voice,” says Dunne.

“Walt Whitman gave great advice to songwriters to ‘Start with the chorus and repeat it”, and it’s great advice.

“If you think of our most popular song, it starts with the chorus.

The first line is, ‘Take a parachute and jump’. “ I don’t think it’s an accident that it’s there and it became a success. We never set off to make it like that, it just came out that way,” says Dunne.

With all of the craft involved, the position on Indie-pendence is a huge

opportunity, he says.

“Playing is the best way to hone your art.

You don’t know how great your songs are until you play them to an audience.

“You learn more in an hour on stage than in months in a rehearsal studio.”

The competition allows Dunne to be both radio host and music aficionado, which pleases him greatly.

“Music is still my number-one passion, and to be able to try to lend an ear and encouragement is great, and I love doing it.”

Entries should be sent by Friday, June 8, to demos@newstalk.ie, or by post to Tom Dunne Show, Newstalk 106108FM, Marconi House, Digges Lane, Dublin 2.

The winner will be announced the following Friday, June 15 at 10am.

OLYMPICS

Dublin girl to carry the Flame

ONE Dublin girl will be lucky enough to carry the Olympic Flame through the streets of the capital this June.

Lauren Lawless will carry the Olympic Flame during the Dublin leg of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay this summer as part of Coca-Cola Future Flames.

Lawless, 16, divides her time between volunteering at Localise Community Service Project with school and sport.

W hen she’s not involved with her school student council, helping first-year students with their project, entitled, The Face of Homelessness, Lauren also trains girls’ soccer and Gaelic teams in her old primary school.

As a sideline, she has also raised funds for Our Lady’s Crumlin Hospital for the past four years.

16 GAZETTE 24 May 2012

GazetteContacts

SNAPSHOT The stories of the day

Block 3A, Mill Bank Business Park, Lucan Tel: 01 6010240 Fax: 01 6010251

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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.

GOT A STORY? WE WANT TO KNOW!

Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 or email news@gazettegroup.com

Andy McInroy Clean Coasts 1 - Fanad Head Lighthouse

Scenic beauty of our coasts

FROM Balbriggan to Killiney, help to capture the beauty of the Irish and Dublin coastline with An Taisce’s Clean Coasts Photography competition.

The competition, launched as part of CocaCola Clean Coasts Week 2012, is set to attract a big interest from the nation’s amateur photographers.

T he theme of An Taisce’s Clean Coasts Photography competition this year is Love Your Coast. The prize fund is an impressive €4,000.

The four main categories for the competition are: Coastal Heritage, Coastal Landscape, People and the Coast and Wildlife and the Coast.

Last year, the com-

petition received thousands of entrants and it is expected that this year’s entrants will double to that of previous years, giving the panel of judges a difficult task ahead.

Diverse

Speaking about the competition Annabel FitzGerald, An Taisce’s coastal programmes manager and competition organiser said: “The beauty of Ireland’s coastline can really be captured through the lens.

Last year, the photos showcased the diverse character of our coastline from Fanad lighthouse at moonrise in Donegal to a breaking wave in Clogher, Co Kerry, from an underwater shot of a

hermit crab in Greenore, Co Louth to a hardy swimmer at Dollymount, Co Dublin.

“These photographs reflect the importance that the coast and ocean have for Ireland’s residents and visitors alike.

These snapshots of our coast serve as a reminder of the responsibility that we all have in protecting our coastal environment.

I am really looking forward to seeing this year’s entries,” she added.

Public affairs and communications manager Coca-Cola Hellenic Ireland, Erica Roseingrave commented on some of last year’s winning images, saying: “The entries last year were of an incredibly high standard,

genuinely making judging a very difficult task.

However, the stand-out images brilliantly capture the scenic beauty and wilderness of our beaches and the unique and special relationship the people of our island nation have with our coastline.”

The Clean Coasts Programme is operated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce and supported by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Coca-Cola and Fáilte Ireland.

For further information or to find out how to enter the competition, log on to www.cleancoastphoto.org

www.gazette group.com All of your latest local news, sport, features and pictures are now just a click away

24 May 2012 GAZETTE 17

ENTERTAINMENT Calling all passionate amateur chefs

In search of this year’s Master Chef

I LAURA WEBB lwebb@gazettegroup.com

HEAT up the stove, and test out that signature dish as the search for Ireland’s very own MasterChef is back on.

RTE television announced the search for MasterChef Ireland 2012 last week. The national broadcaster is calling on all passionate amateur cooks to apply for the new series which brings back some familiar faces.

Michelin-starred chef Dylan McGrath and top restaurateur Nick Munier are together again as judges, dishing out their verdict on contestants’ cooking.

Commenting on the second series of the show, Dylan McGrath said: “We want to find Ireland’s best amateur cook

and we want to hear from everyone in Ireland who thinks they have what it takes to be the next MasterChef champion. MasterChef Ireland is such a great opportunity to show off the talent that exists in Ireland at an amateur level, and to showcase the Irish produce that we have. Although we have a small population, I’m absolutely confident that we can compete at an international level.”

Exceptional

Nick Munier is hoping to see “exceptional cooks that operate by instinct and have a natural flair for taste and flavour”.

“This could be a lifechanging opportunity for the winner and I want to find someone with the determination and drive

to succeed, regardless of their background,” Munier added.

Huge hit

Executive producer of the show, Larry Bass now wants to hear from anyone in Dublin and Ireland who thinks they have what it takes to be the next MasterChef Champion. “Last year’s series was a huge hit and really captured the public imagination. This year, we expect it to be even bigger and better.

“We are looking for brilliant amateur cooks who will be available to take part in a busy filming schedule over this summer. You need to be obsessed with food and cooking and up for a challenge. We want to hear from all over Ireland, so if you think you’re a fan-

tastic amateur cook get online now and apply at www.rte.ie/masterchef.”

Applicants have until May 28 to apply. Successful applicants will then go on to compete against the best amateur cooks in the country to gain a place on the hit television series.

Final

The final 16 will be put through their paces with a series of intense tasks and challenges put before them as they try to impress the MasterChef judges.

Week by week contestants will be eliminated until one is crowned the winner and will walk away with the title of MasterChef Ireland champion 2012 and with a prize fund of €25,000.

Michelin-starred chef Dylan McGrath and top restaurateur Nick Munier

18 GAZETTE 24 May 2012

EXHIBITION The stars come out to enjoy photographer

Liam Cunningham, Glenda Gilson, Barry McCall, Keith Barry and Louis Walsh Pictures: Leon Farrell

Glitzy opening for acclaimed artist T

HE opening of photographer Barry McCall’s newest exhibition, Pho20graphy, at The Copper House Gallery located off Synge Street took place this week. The event was to showcase a selection of works extracted from Barry’s book (also called Pho20graphy) which showed his

Guggi

unique and innovative style of photography.

The invite-only event was attended by many faces from the world of entertainment, fashion and music who feature in the book. Some invitees included Liam Cunningham, Sharon Corr, Glenda Gil-

Saoirse Ronan and Louis Walsh

son and Felim Gormley. All of the works, together with limited edition prints, will be available for sale with proceeds designated for the benefit of the ISPCC. This exhibition will run from May 15 until June 11 2012 at The Copper House Gallery, and admission is free.

Lorraine Keane and Barry McCall

Sharon Corr

24 May 2012 GAZETTE 19

Barry McCall’s visual feast at exclusive opening

Keith Barry and Louis Walsh

Saoirse Ronan poses with a photo of herself

Liam Cunningham and Glenda Gilson

Barry McCall and Saoirse Ronan

Felim Gormley and Sharon Corr

20 GAZETTE 24 May 2012

GazetteSTYLE STYLE Helping to control asthma symptoms IN Ireland, over 470,000 adults and children suffer from asthma and more than one person a week dies from the condition. Asthma is a condition that affects the narrow airways that carry air in and out of the lungs.

It can develop at any stage of life, although it most commonly begins in childhood.

In an asthmatic patient, the airways are overly sensitive, reacting to normally innocuous particles, such as dust or pollen causing them to tighten and narrow.

Sticky mucous is also produced making it increasingly difficult to get the necessary oxygen into the lungs.

The most common symptoms of asthma include coughing (particularly during the night), shortness of breath, wheezing and tightness in the chest. If you have been diagnosed with asthma, talk to your pharmacist who can help keep your symptoms under control by ensuring you are using your inhalers correctly.

With thanks to the staff at Lucan Village Pharmacy

Edited by Laura Webb

A window into the work of emerging visual artists T’S not often we get to incorporate art with style and beauty, so when we heard that Brown Thomas was merging the two we just knew it was something we had to talk about.

The windows of Brown Thomas in Dublin, and also in Cork, Limerick and Galway have been taken over by 36 contemporary Irish visual artists.

Each of the 60 pieces in the exhibition was selected by Brown Thomas creative director John Redmond and young artist, Stephen Morris. The idea of the Art and Style exhibition is to promote the work of emerging visual artists.

John Redmond said: “Art and Style aims to draw attention to the vibrant arts scene that exists in Ireland. Presenting works of art in a fashion environment and on this scale is new for us, but we hope visitors to our stores will find the exhibitions refreshing and stimulating.

“We want to celebrate the diverse range of work that is being created by these artists and help bring it to a wider audience,” he added.

Wa l k i n g p a s t t h e Grafton Street window,

I

Cathy McHugh with Raymond Henshaw’s exhibit Nicole Tilley with her exhibit

shoppers see a different story in each window.

Eight ar tists were assigned a window to frame their work for the duration of the exhibition including artist Nicole Tilley. W hen Gazette Style walked through Grafton Street to take a glimpse of what’s on display, we were pleasantly surprised by the work and ended up spending more time window shopping than spending.

Featuring in the Art and Style at Brown Thomas Dublin is Dee Walsh. According to a Brown Thomas spokesperson, Walsh’s “intricate paintings examine maps of Dublin to draw inspiration from the city’s environment and architecture”.

A similar approach is

that of Miranda Blennerhassett whose “site specific painting installation deals with the viewer’s connection to architectural forms in two-dimensional format”.

While, David Folan is a sculpture and installation artist, who has just returned from his well received solo show Lost Horizons at Dino Eli Gallery, NYC. Karen Donnellan, a video and glass artist, has also exhibited in New York. Conceptual artist, Francis Wasser will dominate the bridge between the store and the Brown Thomas car park and Dee O’ Shea will demonstrate her work with video and installation. Aisling Conroy is a sound artist, Ciúin Tracey works through the medium of

David Booth with his exhibit

photography and Kitty Moss is an illustrator.

Painter Stephen Morris explores the possibilities of painting and its role compared to other fine art mediums in today’s culture and society. The artist has exhibited in Ireland and the United States and his interest lies in the relationship between figuration and

abstraction.

The Art and Style event was officially launched by distinguished Irish Art consultant, Suzanne Macdougald, director of Solomon Fine Art last week. The launch night was attended by Michael Mortell and Oonagh Finn, Norma Smurfit, Eimear Mulhern, Cecily McMenamin and Emer

and Ken O’Reilly. The reception was sponsored

by Peroni.

So when shopping in town this week, why not take a quick look at what this unique Art and Style range has to offer.

Art and Style pieces are available to purchase from €200. For a full list of artists, log onto www. brownthomas.com

24 May 2012 GAZETTE 21

GazetteMUSIC MUSIC

REVIEW: A SUBLIME AND MOVING SET FROM BLUE NILE STAR

Diamonds are forever

I ROB HEIGH

WAY back in the day, I was privileged to see the first live show from The Blue Nile, the Glasgow based band responsible for the most astonishingly heartfelt and cinematic music over their 22-year career. Their live dates were as rare as their albums, and as keenly and breathlessly anticipated as the return of certain deities.

With the concert in full flow, an ecstatic fan brought lead singer, Paul Buchanan, and most of the band to tears of laughter after shouting out, “Diamonds are forever!” between songs.

How right she was. The precious, invaluable songs from The Blue Nile’s hardly prolific repertoire still shine and resonate as some of the finest pieces of music ever committed to tape.

It is with equal anticipation and thankfulness

WE HAVE 135,000* READERS EACH WEEK *based on standard industry measurements

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS TO OUR READERS CALL 60 10 240

Paul Buchanan’s Mid Air, possibly the best album of 2012

that the news arrives of a new solo release from Buchanan, Mid Air, eight years after the release of the last Blue Nile opus, High.

Recorded in his Glasgow apartment over the course of the last few years, the record consists of 14 snapshots that barely last beyind three minutes each, but which say

more and express more than most acts manage in entire careers, continuing the tradition that The Blue Nile started in 1982 of making utterly glorious, heartfelt and unique music.

Over a pared-back soundtrack that features simple piano figures and synthesised washes of strings and horns, Bucha-

nan presents on Mid Air what feel like the auditory equivalent of Polaroids from a life, perfectly created short stories that catch a moment in time, which reveal just enough to show an insight into the authenticity, romance and poignancy of simply being.

Opening with the words, “The buttons on your collar, the colour of your hair, I think I see you everywhere,” Mid Air is poetic and vivid, setting a trend that continues throughout its 36 minutes, which pass by far too quickly, by which time you’ll have tried on several occasions to explain to anyone in your zone that you have something in your eye, no, really... mff...

Some of the tracks melt into each other, but their distinctive flavours stand out gloriously.

The lyrics are classic Buchanan, clipped and concise phrases that

conjure huge, widescreen panoramas and precise, diamond-drill pinnings of emotional experience.

It’s true to say that noone in music does this so well, so utterly believably, so beautifully. It’s also true to say that with records this good, you wish that Buchanan would record more, and shorten the gaps between releases, but that’s the appeal of his recorded output with The Blue Nile and now, on this solo record. The gaps allow you to return time and again to the music, to learn their every nuance, to make them part of your life and imbue them with your own meaning and significance. Mid Air is another of those records to return to time and again. Forever.

FastTunes with Radio Nova’s Dee Woods THE Axl has come full circle. Hats off to Guns N’ Roses for a stormin’ gig at The O2 last week. Even those fans still reeling from the 2010 show (where the frontman showed up late on stage only to storm off again amidst a hail of bottles) were singing his praises. And he appeared only an hour after Thin Lizzy finished their set. So all fans needed was a little Patience.

And who’d have thought one day Elton John would out-diva Axl Rose? Elton’s been showing those who thought his ‘Tantrums and Tiaras’ days were over that The Bitch Is Back after a disastrous show in Las Vegas recently where he started late, finished early and didn’t bother doing an encore, as well as acting “like a spoiled brat” on stage.

Insiders say the 65-year-old father of twoyear-old Zachary has been very narky lately (the answer why may just be in that sentence!)

22 GAZETTE 24 May 2012

GazettePETS PETS

Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA

THE FACTS: TAKING ON A PARROT NEEDS A SERIOUS AMOUNT OF DEDICATION

Prepared to be a parrot parent?

T

HIS week, I thought I’d try to tackle the subject of exotic birds.

Did you know there are approximately 10,000 species of birds on this planet, but only a selection of them can live with us as companion animals?

So for those of you who think they may wish to rush out and purchase an exotic bird this summer, perhaps it would be wise for you to first do some research because not everyone is compatible with parenting a feathered friend.

So this week, in order to ensure the physical and psychological well being of your bird, I thought it might be an idea to offer you a few

guidelines.

Polly’s House The cage must be large enough to allow Polly plenty of room to spread her wings.

Have a ready supply of toys for her to play with and make sure you’ve got lots of paper to line Polly’s cage and be prepared to change this daily.

Your House Parrot proof your home by removing appliances with Teflon, the fumes are toxic when it comes to birds.

Lighting scented candles and smoking are a no no.

Behaviour Bringing up Polly is akin to bringing up a

Polly needs plenty of room to spread her wings

human being. Parrots require the same amount of care and attention; you will need lots of patience and many people are unequipped to take on this type of responsibility.

Polly can have mood swings, develop an attitude, scream, misbehave, be mean to you, bite you and, like any difficult

child, Polly can ignore you.

Polly’s Diet Feeding your parrot can be costly and time consuming. Again, not unlike a human’s diet, Polly will thrive on fresh fruits and vegetables, seeds, a bit of cooked chicken breast and cheese as a treat.

Avoid banana, avocado

or items containing butter because these are difficult for her to swallow.

Have at least five feeding bowls available for Polly to choose from – four to hold food and one to hold fresh water. Place fresh veg in one, fruit in another, a treat such as cheese/chicken in the third, seeds/nuts in the fourth and water in the fifth. Change food every single day and never leave leftover food hanging around; it will make your bird ill. Chop food in easy, bite sized pieces.

Exercise You must be prepared to allow Polly out of her cage for several hours a day to exercise with the absolute minimum being four hours.

Holidays Do you plan to have a stay-cation for the rest of your life? Yep, it’s going to be difficult to get a carer for Polly and remember, just because you love her doesn’t mean your relatives will– especially if Polly gets upset and starts to rip out her feathers and scream in frustration because mam has gone away and left her with an unprepared minder.

How long will Polly live?

Well it depends, the larger the bird the longer the lifespan – if you’ve got an African Grey it can live for up to 60 years, a cockatoo or a macaw can live for 70 years. That means, they can outlive their owners.

Now I know there are responsible parrot parents out there and I salute them for dedicating the rest of their lives to spending it with what is possibly the equivalent of a petulant teenager; the guidelines above are for those who have yet to make up their minds and admit it. Nobody knows what the future holds for them so taking on the commitment of a pet who will possibly outlast even the longest marriage requires a serious amount of dedication.

Are you prepared?

For more information, log onto w w w. dspca.ie or contact your vet or email me at miriam.kerins@dspca.ie

24 May 2012 GAZETTE 23

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported by AIB

Interview: Shane Cronin of Rafting.ie

The rise and rise of Rafting.ie

MARK Downey and Shane Cronin started the business of Rafting.ie in 2010. They both have been involved in the outdoor industry for some 45 years between them.

The business started very small with just one raft, to test the water so to speak, and has now developed into a six raft operation with the capacity to run 48 people at once, three times a day.

The business is a great example of eco tourism with clients coming from all over Europe and Britain to sample the delights of the Liffey’s whitewater and the special ecological nature of the Strawberry Beds.

There is a lot of integration with local hotels and cab companies who accommodate and transport the international guests.

The product is all about making it easily accessible and fun to do, as they do mini bus airport pick ups and city centre collections to the raft centre, and bring them back to the city centre after their hot showers on site.

It’s a great corporate activity also with lots of local Dublin companies arranging pick ups at their premises, enjoying the rafting activity whilst team building and then perhaps going on to the city centre for a meal later on.

Their website and Facebook page at rafting. ie have videos and contact information for stags, hens, corporate and families alike.

Shane Cronin

Q&A Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be?

A: A raft guide

Q: What part of your working day do you ‘delegate’?

A: Washing the wetsuits

Q: What was your first job?

A: Working as a lifeguard

Q: What sport do you follow?

A: Any outdoor sports that

Q: And your first pay cheque?

A: From Coolmine Sports Complex in Blanchardstown

Q: When did you start your present job?

A: Myself and Mark started Rafting.ie in 2010. Both avid kayakers we wanted to get people floating. Rafting is an easy way to get wet and have fun safely!

Q: What is the best thing about your job?

A: Selling fun in these difficult times. How many people can say that? At least until the Government figure out how to tax fun or fresh air we’re laughing.

get your lungs filled with the fresh air

Q: What sport can you play?

A: Down here we all raft, kayak, mountain bike and sail regularly

Q: What is your guilty music/TV or movie pleasure?

A: By the time a day’s work is done here there’s no time for TV

Q: Who best represents modern Ireland – David Norris or Jedward?

A: Really you’re asking that?

Brian O’Driscoll – what an athlete

Q: What music/pictures/ movies do you have on your

iPod/iPad? A: Josh Ritter on always

A: 157 pairs of river shoes for our clients

Q: Who do you follow on Twitter/Facebook?

A: All our Facebook fans

Q: What was your worst holiday experience?

A: A stag party in Budapest,

Q: What was your last Tweet/status update?

A: Mmmmmm Fresh air

blah. Big cities suck, do something original

about 5 mins ago

Q: Describe your dream meal?

A: Mmmmmm Burgers off the barby on the river bank

Q: Who would you rather have dinner with – Enda Kenny or Dame Edna?

A: Rain check! Can we not just go paddling on the river instead?

Q: Where do you enjoy spending money frivolously?

A: On my toys for my river adventures

Q: How many pairs of shoes do you own?

Q: Describe your dream holiday?

A: Rafting the Zambezi Q: What would be your dream job?

A: A raft guide in Ireland if the sun shone all the time and we had consistently high water levels on the river

Q: What do you plan to do when you retire?

A: I’m self employed, is that even possible? By the time I hit the age of retirement the Government will have moved it out another 25 years beyond reach.

PENSION RELEASE Q – I have been made redundant after only 12 years’ service ( now 36 ). The pension itself is worth €75,000.

Can I release any of this money now or do I have to wait til age 65 ? Greg – Rathgar A – Sorry to hear of your redundancy – employment is the key to our survival and with 14.3% of the country’s workforce unemployed, we do need all hands on deck to drive that impetus to full employment.

You appear to be in an occupational pension scheme and therefore precluded from making any withdrawals now.

Usually contributions continue til age 65 at the end of which (and presuming it is a defined contribution pension) you can take 25% of the fund then as a tax-free lump sum and the balance, again depending on what is left, into an annuity or an approved retirement fund (ARF).

If you leave the fund as is with your current employer, it is deemed paid up but should still grow each year.

As long as your now ex-employer remains solvent, at 3% growth each year, your €75,000 fund at 65 will grow to c€171,595.

At 5% growth, the fund would rise to €294,000.

Of this, €42,899 you can take on retirement as that 25% tax-free lump sum.

The balance of €128,696 can be invested into an annuity (guaranteed income for life based on a fixed deposit rate.

When you die, the insurance company keeps the fund. Generally the first five years’ income is guaranteed and if you should die before that time is up it goes to your spouse for the remaining years; or provided by that time, you do not have an annual pension income of at least €18,000, invest €120,000 into an Approved Minimum Retirement Fund which you cannot touch until age 75 but the balance you can invest yourself.

However this will only be €8,696 out of which every year you MUST take 5% (€ 36.23 per month taxable !)

With the ARF/AMRF should you die, the proceeds at least will go to your estate.

Redundant If you feel the company that has made you redundant may not be there itself in 29 years’ time, you can opt for a Buy Out Bond or Preretirement Bond.

You transfer the value of your pension NOW to a bond in your own name (still cannot release funds til age 65) but you now have control over your own pension management.

If left with the company, on retirement you would need the signatures of the trustees to release funds – they may not be around in 29 years’ time.

Either way, you need to see a report EACH year on the performance of your fund and understand the implications – ask questions if it is not performing. Best of luck with the job hunting.

Contact John with your money questions at

jlowe@moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor

24 GAZETTE 24 May 2012

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS RoadSigns Road Signs The all-new Ford Ranger has finally arrived in Ireland THE all-new Ford Ranger has just arrived in Ireland and is available from stockists.

It combines the toughness and capability of a pickup truck with smart technology, safety and high standards of quality and comfort.

The Ranger made history when it became the first pickup truck to be awarded a maximum five-star safety rating by safety testing body, Euro NCAP. It achieved one of the best overall scores ever awarded by Euro NCAP; reflecting a strong performance in adult, child and pedestrian protection.

The latest incarnation of the Ranger is offered in two cab bodystyles – Double and Regular – along with an extensive list of practical features that are available in four series choices. Both cab styles are among the roomiest in the segment.

The compact pickup is available in a 4x4 drivetrain.

Built new from the ground up, Ranger was designed and developed to be best-in-class or amongst the leaders in every area important to customers, especially those who use it for both work and leisure purposes. It now delivers more payload and class-leading towing capability and, at the same time, is fitted out with innovative and comfort features that dual users will appreciate.

The new Ranger platform takes advantage of global Ford assets, particularly robust engines and six-speed transmissions proven in tough commercial-vehicle usage. The design and product development teams also had full access to Ford’s global capabilities, testing facilities and extensive pickup truck knowledge.

The new Ford Ranger is available in four series: XL, XLT, LTD and Wildtrak with the following powertrains: 2.2 TDCi 125PS and 150PS; and 3.2 TDCi 200PS. The entry-level Ranger is the Compact Cabin, 2.2 TDCi producing 125PS with six-speed gearbox and four-wheel drive. This model is priced from €25,194.

The Opel Corsa Limited Edition is designed to appeal to the kind of young driver who is looking for something with more attitude than the standard model

No limits for Opel’s stylish new Corsa CORMAC CURTIS

ONE of the most difficult aspects of reviewing cars is figuring out if the car you are driving is a good fit for the target market.

Even more difficult can be figuring out who that target may be.

One of the quirkier cars that I have spent time in this year is the Opel Corsa Limited Edition.

In recent years Opel have put some serious effort into re-branding their line-up, and the Corsa has had plenty of attention in the process.

A very high-profile ad campaign full of cool, urban puppet characters enjoying a comi-

SPECS: OPEL CORSA LIMITED EDITION Top speed: 163km/h 0 – 100km/hr: 14.9sec Economy: 5.3 ltr/100km CO2 emissions: 110g Road Tax Band: A Entry Price: Base model from €14,700. €17,955 exc options €19,422 inc air con and metallic paint

cally active lifestyle and telling each other to “c’mon” was given some serious air time, and definitely lif ted the image of the oncehumble Corsa, giving it a far cooler and edgier appeal.

It was a good move by Opel, as car manufacturers have increasingly needed to find their own corners of the market to take ownership of.

The Corsa has been enjoying the fruits of Opel’s labour, and has found its way into the hearts of many young drivers.

And there is the answer to one of my questions- who the target market is– youngsters.

T his does make a great deal of sense, not least because youngsters are about the only people who would have disposable income for this kind of motor, providing they haven’t moved to Australia yet and they still have a job.

This incarnation of the Corsa, the Limited Edition, is designed to appeal to the kind of young driver who is

looking for something with more drivability and a lot more attitude than the standard model.

Possibly moving up from another model in the Corsa stable.

So, what does the Limited Edition offer?

There’s no doubt that it stands out from the crowd – every time I stopped at traffic lights, young men between the ages of about 16 and 24 literally stopped and pointed at the car.

This wasn’t a huge surprise, as the model I drove was almost completely black.

Getting back to the car’s image, with the exception of the Opel logo and the front grille, the only other glimpse

of chrome is two very attractive accents around the air scoops on the front bumper.

Other than this, the car is black – even the tail lights have been given the smoked glass treatment for a look with real edge.

I n my t h r e e - d o o r model, the rear windows were also smoked to add to the slightly menacing look of the car.

The range isn’t all “midnight black” and “d a r k- s h a d ow g r e y ”.

With bright body colours and design themes presented on black 17-inch alloy wheels, these are looks that will appeal to a broad range of drivers.

The specification also

24 May 2012 GAZETTE 25

Edited by Cormac Curtis

RoadSigns Road Signs

SKODA SIGN SPONSOR DEAL

SKODA have been announced as the new broadcast sponsors of the 2012 GAA AllIreland Senior Championship on Newstalk 106-108fm. The 2011 GAA All-Ireland Senior Championships season marked a key milestone in Irish broadcasting.

For the first time in GAA history, a broadcaster outside the state-run body was awarded exclusive national radio commentary rights. During their inaugural year of GAA broadcasting, Newstalk provided GAA fans, across the country, with an exciting and fresh alternative.

Speaking at the launch, Raymond Leddy, head of marketing Skoda Ireland, said: “Today’s announcement is another significant milestone for the Skoda brand in Ireland.”

The Limited Edition comes in both the stylish New Corsa coupe-like three-door and family-friendly five-door body variants

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‘The Corsa has been enjoying the fruits of Opel’s labour, and has found its way into the hearts of many young drivers’

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includes a lowered sport c h a s s i s , e nve l o p i n g sport seats, aluminium pedals, black sapphire roof and a chromed, oval exhaust pipe.

In the interior, the centre console is in piano black while air vent rings and stitching on the seat upholstery

are colour-coordinated with the exterior paint.

The splashes of red on the dash of the test car really did lift the otherwise monochrome interior – although the use of glass black finish on certain panels was attractive.

All Limited Edition

variants are available with the 1.2i-VVT (75 PS) petrol unit and the 1.3-CDTi (75 PS) ecoFLEX unit.

I must say that seeing an estimated range just shy of 1,000kms when I get into cars these days is becoming more and more common, and it is encouraging to see that companies are applying their fuel-saving technologies and designs right across their ranges, this car (the 1.3CDTi version) being no exception.

In addition to the New Corsa Limited

Edition, a Linea pack is also available as an option on Corsa SC and SXi. It is available in six exterior colours and features two large white stripes leading from the hood over the roof to the tailgate.

T he 17-inch white alloys and white side mirror caps are coordinated with the stripes.

The Limited Edition comes in both the stylish New Corsa coupelike three-door and family-friendly fivedoor body variants.

So that’s the image

covered, let’s get down to brass tacks.

If you want air conditioning and metallic paint – don’t expect too much change out of €19,500.

At my stage in life, if I were to be putting my hand that far into my pocket, I would be looking for a huge boot, sunroof, loads of space for me and the family… but I need to remind myself that this car is not meant for me.

Thrill The people I caught ogling the Corsa don’t

care about what I care about – they want a stonking little motor that will turn heads and give them a thrill when they drive.

And, to be fair, the Corsa Limited Edition ticks those boxes.

And they get lowered sports suspension, front fog lights, a chunky leather-covered steering wheel, cruise control, sports pedals, heated door mirrors and a multifunction trip computer.

Target market identified, and, no doubt, more than satisfied with the new look.

26 GAZETTE 24 May 2012

GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel The Garden of Ireland’s delights will grow on you Be at Royal Portrush at tee-time for this year’s highly-anticipated Irish Open Golf Championship

WITH this year’s Irish Open Golf Championship at Royal Portrush set to be one of the biggest in the competition’s history, Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) are reminding visitors to book their tickets and accommodation now to avoid potential disappointment.

With Ireland’s most prestigious golf tournament still more than five weeks away, the European Tour announced last week that Saturday and Sunday are already almost sold out, while ticket sales for the Thursday and Friday aren’t far behind, with close to 20,000 tickets sold per day.

A crowd of 100,000 is expected over the four days of the event, from Thursday, June 28, to Sunday, July 1, and accommodation around Portrush has also been selling fast but NITB’s Alan Clarke reassured visitors, particularly those travelling from the Republic of Ireland, that there are still plenty of rooms available on the Causeway Coast.

He said: “Tickets have been selling faster this year than for many years, which is no surprise given the success of our golfing superstars, and the fact that the Irish Open is returning to Northern Ireland for the first time in 60 years.

“I would urge golf fans not to risk turning up on the day and expect a ticket, as they will most likely be disappointed, particularly at the weekend.”

For more information on accommodation offers for the Irish Open, as well as details on all of Northern Ireland’s golf courses and other Northern Ireland events in 2012, check out the NITB’s free advice and booking service, and callsave 1850 230 230; visit the Tourist Information Centre in Suffolk Street, or click on www.discovernorthernireland.com or www.ni2012.com.

Advance day tickets for the Irish Open are available for £30 – a saving of £5 on the gate price – with four-day season tickets priced at £70 – a saving of £10. Advance concession day and season tickets are priced at £20 and £50, respectively.

STAFF REPORTER

IT IS often said that we do not appreciate what we have on our doorstep and, to really get the feeling that we are getting away from it all, we must take a flight to sunnier climes, cultural or cosmopolitan city destinations, or at least endure a four-hour drive to a far-flung part of Ireland.

With Failte Ireland increasingly encouraging us all to do our patriotic duty and holiday at home, we decided to take it a step further and go local by taking a weekend break in Co Wicklow, the Garden of Ireland.

For those of us living in the Dublin area, a trip to Wicklow will unearth tinges of nostalgia, such as revisiting the sites and sounds of school tours in days gone by, or memories of being squashed into the back seat of a car on the way to your summer holidays in Co Wexford.

Returning to the present day, we began our journey by heading south-west towards Rathsallagh House – a stunning historic period country house and golf club nestled in the rolling west Wicklow Hills, near the sleepy hamlet of Dunlavin, only 45 mins from Dublin.

En route to Rathsallagh, we took in Blessington and its national park, a

paradise of woods, mountains, rivers and lakes – a perfect starting point for the outdoor adventurer in us, or for those who are happy to take a stroll and breathe it all in.

For the art and culture lovers amongst us, a stop off at Russborough House is highly-recommended.

Renowned for its beauty and classical interior architecture and furnishings, Russborough House was famous for Sir Alfred and Lady Beit’s collection

T he lush ground, inhabited by tall, slender and graceful trees, welcome you, along with the aromas of wild garlic and the distinctive scent of burning turf.

After freshening up, we had a drink in the ornate drawing room before heading into the dining room for a well-earned meal.

Starters of beef carpaccio and portobello mushroom with goat’s cheese whet the taste

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‘At Rathsallagh House, one could almost picture oneself sipping a gin and tonic, playing croquet with the aristocracy and equine set in days gone by’

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of fine art before “ordinary decent criminal” Martin “The General” Cahill took a fancy, and raised the house’s profile with a daring robbery in the 1980s.

Thankfully, these paintings were retrieved and returned to their rightful home, where they continue to reside and are well worth a look.

On arrival at our final destination for the day, heading up the long meandering drive gives you a sense of beauty in which the 570 acres of Rathsallagh House grounds, including the golf club, is set.

buds delightfully, after which a vodka sorbet sets us up nicely for the main course of locally-sourced rack of Wicklow lamb, and blackened salmon with an oriental twist.

A shared tarte tatin, complemented with a lush honeycomb and toffee sauce, tasted as if straight from the finest Parisian patisserie.

Before bidding adieu to Rathsallagh, we toured their walled garden, where many seasonal vegetables and herbs are grown for the restaurant.

The grounds also boast wonderfully-manicured gardens, enlivened by the

early summer chorus of birdsong.

One could almost picture oneself sipping a gin and tonic, playing croquet with the aristocracy and equine set in days gone by – previous owners of the house once reared thoroughbred horses for the British army.

The next leg of our journey eastwards took us across the stunning Wicklow Gap, starting at Hollywood. We took in the spectacular and colourful scenery which, in parts, mimics the Rocky Mountains of North America.

After successfully negotiating the hilly and meandering roads, we stopped off at Glendalough, exploring the valley of the two lakes and St Kevin’s sixth-century monastery.

No visit to Wicklow would be complete without a visit to Mount Usher Garden’s.

Spread across 22 acres along the River Vartry, Mount Usher’s Robertsonian-style gardens is home to more than 5,000 species of rare and exotic plants, bursting with vitality and a broad range of colours.

As the af ternoon moved towards evening, we headed downriver to the charming and historic Hunter’s Hotel, Wicklow, Ireland’s oldest coaching inn, which also boasts its own award-winning gar-

The enticingly attractive

den – a perfect spot for afternoon tea and scones in the sunshine.

Steeped in more than 300 years of history, and run by five generations by the same family, Hunter’s Hotel retains all of its oldworld charm.

The hotel also boast a very famous and diverse patronage over the years, as detailed by its guest book. Ranging from royalty (the king and queen of Sweden are regulars) to the political aristocracy (Charles Stewart Parnell regularly stopped by for a game of cards), Hollywood’s most renowned residents include Stephen Spielberg, Liam Neeson and local actor, Daniel Day Lewis, who, we were told, will be playing Abraham Lincoln in a forthcoming biopic – remember where you heard it first.

Dinner at Hunter’s Hotel was a wonderfully

24 May 2012 GAZETTE 27

Edited by Mimi Murray

garden at Hunter’s Hotel is but one lovely feature of the historic hotel, which also boasts the title of Ireland’s oldest coaching inn

rustic affair, very much in keeping with its charming surroundings.

After a hugely satisfying meal, we retired up the broad oak staircase to our delightfully furnished and spacious room overlooking the Victorian gardens.

A glowing fire welcomed us and helped us off into a peaceful slumber.

Breakfast at Hunter’s offered the traditional fry, porridge, continental spread and baked fish of the day, which set us up nicely for the final leg of our journey.

The early May sunshine pointed us to the beach, where we took in the nearby Silver Strand and then on to Brittas Bay, where we explored the powdery white sands and famous dunes. A fitting end to a great weekend.

Now, why would you want to go anywhere else?

The welcoming exterior of Rathsallagh House is more than matched by the hotel’s many attractions

28 GAZETTE 24 May 2012

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT

GoingOUT THE PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929 Travesties

FOLLOWING the hugely successful and popular Plaza Suite, Rough Magic are back at the Pavilion Theatre with the delicious comedy Travesties by Tom Stoppard.

Best-known as the author of the Oscar-winning film Shakespeare in Love and the plays Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and Arcadia, Stoppard is at his best in this absurdly funny masterpiece featuring James Joyce, Vladimir Lenin and Dadaist Tristan Tzara. Running from June 7 to 23, tickets are priced from €18 to €25.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 Fruitcake

NANA Casey teaches Della many things in life, like “how to bake the perfect Fruitcake.” As Della Dolan (McEvoy) demonstrates just how to do that she gets caught up in provoking memories to give a fascinating account of her checkered upbringing on a farm in rural Ireland… each ingredient reminding her of past memories and decisions which ultimately change the course of her life. The show, wriiten by Alice Barry takes place at 1pm and 8pm on Wednesday June 6. Tickets are priced at €15.

CIVIC THEATRE 01 462 7477 Ardal O’Hanlon

AWARD winning comedian, actor, writer - and star of Father Ted (C4), My Hero (BBC 1), Val Falvey (RTE) and Leagues Apart (RTE), Ardal O’Hanlon brings his unique brand of stand up comedy back to Ireland. A highly acclaimed stand up, Ardal has toured to sell out audiences internationally and has released two Top Ten stand up DVDs. He continues to be one of the most sought after comedians working with regular sell out solo tours in the UK, USA and Australia.

Catch him on June 6 at 8pm, tickets are €20.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 Blast From The Past

THIS is a Hip Hop Dance Show for all the family to enjoy.

Fit Kids and Fit Teens Dance Schools have been running in Blanchardstown for 26 years and have performed in Draiocht many times. This end of term show gives the children a chance to show all their hard work as they dance to some of our favourite tunes from the past, including tracks by their favourite acts. Catch this show at 7pm on Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June 2, with a 2pm matinee on Saturday. Tickets are €10

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Chris Rock gets to grips with Julie Delpy in the farcical comedy, 2 Days in New York.

I love New York

Julie Delpy follows up 2 Days in Paris by grabbing Chris Rock and going to New York. Well, if she can make it there...

I PAUL HOSFORD

LAST week, I flexed my indie muscles, all set to return to the mainstream when The Dictator hit screens.

I did make it to a film about foreigners on American soil, but 2 Days in New York is about as far removed from Sacha Baron Cohen’s antics as you are likely to find.

Indeed, though The Dictator is perfectly serviceable nonsense, the latest film from French ingenue Julie Delpy is spot-on counter-programming.

While the bearded Cohen allows you to leave your brain at the door, oddly-bearded Chris Rock commands your attention.

An atypical sequel to Delpy’s 2007 effort, 2 Days in Paris.

Since the events of that film, Adam Goldberg’s Jack and Delpy’s

FILM OF THE WEEK: 2 Days in New York #### (15) 96 mins Director: Julie Delpy Starring: Julie Delpy, Chris Rock, Daniel Bruhl, Albert Delpy, Alexia Landeau, Alexandre Nahon

OUR VERDICT:

BEFORE you decide to part with your time and money on this film, ask yourself one question; how much do I like Julie Delpy and indie cinema in general? Because, despite the presence of Rock, this is no mainstream comedy. Instead, we are treated to an excellent dissection of adult relationships, language barriers and, of course, the difficult nature of family.

Marion have split up.

Not before they could conceive a child, Lulu, however.

Now living in New York with her new boyfriend Mingus (Rock) and his daughter, Marion’s world is set to be turned upside dow n when her family decides to visit the Big Apple.

Much of the farce comes from the broader culture clashes, as Marion’s father, sister and sister ’s ex-boy friend gatecrash what is, essentially, the biggest week of her life.

Delpy, has written odes to Paris before,

with 2005’s Before Sunset extolling the virtues of her birthplace.

Long a resident of New York, she is able to draw the comedy from both settings clashing because she has a unique perspective on both; she can see them as an insider as easily as an outsider.

T hat allows for a range of nuanced looks at how cultures sit uncomfortably with each other and how natives of one place can cling to the idea of home as identity.

Of course, that is not the plane that the film

sets out to sit on, it just happily rests there.

It is more at home in the arena of French farce, a genre in which Delpy makes herself firmly at home, feet under the table and all.

The lone rock in the sea of insanity is Rock, playing the straight man for once, who becomes increasingly bewildered by his Gallic in-laws and can find his only solace in his cardboard cutout of Barack Obama (Obama’s presidency is a fantastic runninggag).

Like the first film, plot is a secondary concern.

In its place are misunderstandings, tears, arguments, recriminations and reconciliations.

In one of the film’s high-points, Vincent Gallo shows up in a mental, unbelievable and ridiculous cameo that manages somehow to be both brilliant and

likeable.

Delpy’s Gallic-eyed view of the city that never sleeps is a refreshing take on a city many will feel at home with purely due to films, while her script keeps the pace breakneck and the dialogue fizzing.

In the midst of all of this madness, it would be easy to forget that there are characters there to be explored., However, to her testament, Delpy finds time to return to key themes of love, life and loss.

Far removed from the young girl of 1995’s Before Sunrise, her voice now carries the weight of experience and, hinting at a jaded soul, there’s a tinge of sadness as Marion accepts the inevitable end of romance.

That said, even if the world she has created is somewhat burnt out, it is still a place full of joy.

24 May 2012 GAZETTE 29

GazetteGAMING GAMING Bytesandpieces Hat’s quite a fun game

Determined adventurers will have to keep their heads when facing a hungry hydra – while hoping the fearsome beast loses all of its annoying noggins – during one of the many challenging battles awaiting them in the Japanese-developed, Dragon’s Dogma

Dark knights ahead SHANE DILLON

WITH Skyrim proving such a runaway success on a number of platforms, several developers and publishers are hoping to match that title’s success, as a number of similar fantasy landscapes are coming into sight, ready for adventurers to make their (next) mark in.

As such, Capcom are next out of the traps, with the imminent release of its Dragon’s Dogma.

Bringing several key Capcom figures together on the project, gamers have a lot of expectations from the Dogma team, knowing that heavyhitting developers have colluded in creating the

major new title.

Dragon’s Dogma treads a familiar path – that of an ancient land, plagued by foul beasts and bandits, and with legendary (and legendarily-tough) creatures ruling over certain parts – while a murderous dragon must be slain and the kingdom protected.

So far, so familiar.

However, while this sub-Tolkien scenario forms the basis for any number of fantasy games, Capcom have put their distinctive mark on their title by adding several great new elements.

As with Skyrim’s land of Tamriel, a massive open world awaits in Gransys, complete with a day and night cycle, leaving the

protaganist free to wander where he or she chooses – even to places where they shouldn’t. Yet. So far, so familiar, which is where Capcom begins to tinker with the familiar fantasy formula.

For example, night and day create very different challenges, with night being particularly dark for those foolhardy folk caught out in the wild, far beyond a keep’s welcoming walls, or an inn’s comforting fireplace.

More worryingly – or, more entertainingly, depending on your point of view – nightfall draws forth tougher, hungrier creatures, all drawn to any passing party that’s foolish enough to blun-

Anotherweebyte...

For some, the war is (almost) over OH-OH. War makes a lot of money for games companies, and online multiplayer games have become almost more popular than the singleplayer experience in the past few years.

However, a lot of Battlefield 3 players have been voicing their frustration recently at the near total decline of available servers, on which to play with other Battlefield 3 gamers, following the move by Electronic Arts, and DICE, to withdraw many of the official servers, leaving many hardcore “shmup” fans scrambling to play against each other on rented servers, instead.

While all online games eventually go dark as their servers are shut down for the last time – and while Battlefield 3 is still playable on official servers – it’s regrettable that such a comparatively recent title is already seeing its popular online component heading towards the Game Over screen. The battle to keep the gameplay going continues ...

der about in the dark, and creating a distinctly different, darker feeling to the game.

However, of most interest to gamers (and the key selling point for Dragon’s Dogma) comes courtesy of its Pawn system.

Having chosen a specialist field to specialise in and master, the player also creates a permanent sidekick – or Pawn – to sally forth alongside them, aiding in battle and in other ways throughout their exploring.

While many gamers will groan and roll their eyes at the thought of having yet another AI character tag alongside them – a generally unpopular feature of many games for modern gamers – what makes Dragon’s Dogma Pawns so interesting is that the player can complete a party of four by momentarily borrowing another player’s Pawns, who may have key skills, or experience, for the c u r-

There are several character classes to choose from

rent task at hand.

As such, while you and your Pawn will develop your skills and rise in rank throughout the game, you’ll also have help and useful advice from a range of other borrowed Pawns, creating a diverse, changing shift in how the game plays out.

It’s an interesting technique, with a lot of scope for emergent gameplay and on-the-fly techniques – and, make no mistake, the player will need all the help they can get, as Gransys is home to some pretty tough battles, here and there.

Familiar fantasy stalwarts are all present and correct, while an interesting coterie of creatures sees hydras, griffins, chimeras and more adding a rather classical note to beastly encounters.

Meanwhile, the figures behind the title, including Hiroyuki Kobayashi (Resident Evil 4), Hideaki Itsuno (Devil May Cry 2, 3, and 4) and Makoto Ikehara (Breath of Fire) have added punchy combat and other, quirky touches to the gameplay.

Borrowing elements from other great games, and with its own fresh style, Dragon’s Dogma will make many gamers believe in the fantasy genre once again ...

ANOTHER week, and another cracking XBox Arcade game to highlight. Fez, priced 800 Microsoft points, has been on release for a short while – but, never mind, as there’s a lot here to enjoy.

Fez sees Gomez living an idyllic life in a cute, colourful and flat world, with his 2D existence seeming just fine – until a mysterious fez hat lands on his head, giving him the peculiar ability to rotate the 2D world through distinct 90-degree angles, so that, suddenly, Gomez discovers the bizarre concept of “3D space” , which, here, looks like 2D, except when the world is rotating.

With his universe suddenly expanded via this previously unknown third dimension, Gomez sets off to explore, rotating the world at will as he goes, enabling him to find, and align, strange new paths forward through a land full of secrets and treasure.

Already an indie darling, and an award-winning title, its cutesy graphics belie an occasionally demanding platformer and puzzler, but it all makes a distinctive and fun title to add to the XBox 360’s increasingly beefy downloadable Arcade games.

30 GAZETTE 24 May 2012

GazettePROPERTY PROPERTY Extend your home into the sunshine

WITH the sun finally making an appearance, it’s time to break out the garden furniture and live a little in the fresh air.

Homevalue Hardware are one company making it easier for homeowners to extend their living space out into the garden with their new range of products.

Homevalue have over 50 stores nationwide, meaning that there is a branch easily accessible across the country. For a list of their stores visit www.homevaluediy.ie.

And if you would like to make the garden a little more feature-filled, there is an option to give a quick lift with GrowRings.

The modular, circular design allows you to have a fit for purpose raised garden bed in a matter of minutes. There are no tools necessary - two or more panels snap together to form a natural circular raised bed, ten inches in height. You simply add compost and topsoil and away you go, ready to plant.

The trellis GrowRing is €19.95 if you order from their website, www.growrings.ie

Number 38 Annfield Court in Castleknock is for sale for €220,000 from Sherry FitzGerald

CASTLEKNOCK: THREE-BEDROOM TERRACED HOUSE FOR €220,000

Score a fine home at Annfield in D15 SHERRY FitzGerald in Castleknock are pleased to present for sale an immaculately-presented three-bedroom home located in the popular development at Annfield Court for the asking price of €220,000.

Number 38 Annfield Court, Castleknock, is a spacious, bright and beautifully maintained home, which also benefits from a car port that provides off-street parking, and a good-sized private back garden, with access to the communal gardens.

The accommodation comprises an entrance hall with wooden flooring, an alarm panel and a hot press.

The light-filled living room boasts a feature fireplace in a dual aspect room with large window to the front and double doors leading to the back garden. It features wooden flooring

and an attractive coaleffect gas fire inset with wooden surround.

The kitchen/breakfast room has a tiled floor, and contains ample wooden floor and wall units. It is plumbed for a washing machine, and there is a door from the kitchen that leads to the garden.

There is also a bedroom, which overlooks the front with built-in wardrobes and wooden flooring, and a bathroom, that features a tiled floor and a suite comprising a bath with s h owe r a t t a c h m e n t , W H B a n d WC , a l l located downstairs in the property.

The master bedroom with an en suite shower room and a second double are upstairs.

The master bedroom is a wonderful bright and spacious room with built-in wardrobes, which gives access to

the en suite shower room, which has a tiled floor, shower unit, WHB and WC. Bedroom two upstairs is a double room with built-in wardrobes.

Immaculately presented throughout with a good-sized back garden with storage shed, the property has access to a wealth of shopping, and leisure facilities. Transport facilities are available locally between Carpenterstown, Castleknock Village and the Blanchardstown SC. Viewing is strictly by appointment with Sherry FitzGerald Castleknock at Ashleigh Retail Centre, which can be contacted at 01 820 1800, or via email at castleknock@ sherryfitz.ie. For more information on other properties available in the area, log on to www. sherryfitz.ie.

GAZETTE

24 May 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 31

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DENTAL

RECRUITMENT

PLANNING NOTICE

PLANNING NOTICE

SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Permission sought for change of use of retail Unit No 3, Lucan Shopping Centre, Hillcrest Estate, Lucan, Co. Dublin to a food take away restaurant with ancillary seating. Joseph Foy. This application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of South Dublin County Council during its public opening hours of 9 am – 4pm, Mon-Fri, and a submission or observation may be made to South Dublin County Council in writing and on payment of the prescribed fee ( € 20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by South Dublin County Council of the application.

Kenneth Wade is applying for retention planning permission for existing single storey side extension with side window providing entrance porch and utility plus widening front vehicular access gate, and providing single gate in rear side public boundary wall and raising the public boundary to 2m at rear and 1.2m at front, at No.12 Cherbury Park Avenue, Lucan, Co. Dublin. This application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of South Dublin County Council during its public opening hours of 9am - 4pm, Mon-Fri, and a submission or observation may be made to South Dublin County Council in writing and on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt

by South Dublin County Council of the application.

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32 LUCAN GAZETTE 24 May 2012

GazetteSPORT

24 May 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 33

EUROPEAN QUEEN: Mary McKenna celebrated in new sports book: Page 34

Conor O’Donoghue from St Colmcille’s SNS celebrates after scoring a goal

Scoil Muire is Seosamh Bayside sisters Sarah and Lorna Redmond, Saoirse Malin and Catherine Ronayne from St Pius X GNS celebrate

Hannah Cosgrave

Sean Doyle, Scoil Muire is Seosamh Bayside, in action against Dylan McCarthy, Scoil Mhearnog

Come on, Cumann

Croke Park hosts 2012 mBunscol

Scoil Holy Trinity players celebrate victory over Mary Mother of Hope. Picture: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE

Y

OUNG hurling and camogie stars from all over the city recently converged on GAA headquarters to take part in the semi-finals and finals of the 2012 Cumann Na mBunscol event.

Teams representing almost every part of Dublin were on hand to provide their families, fans and supporters with some great, entertaining games over the course of the week, which saw everyone who took part represent their schools and the GAA with aplomb and honour.

There were fine performances from everyone involved, and future Dublin stars are sure to emerge from these ranks!

Scoil Loreto Crumlin’s Jade Kinsell celebrates with Noma O’Enehikhire,

Dublin footballer Declan Lally, speaks to the Mary Mother of Hope

Jennifer Dijon, Shauna Bowden, Sarah Whyte and Aimee Brady

players during half-time in their game against Scoil Holy Trinity

34 LUCAN GAZETTE 24 May 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

Happy memories for golfing great

Mary McKenna is an icon of Irish women’s golf, and her achievements are recounted in Fingal Sporting Heroes, writes STEPHEN FINDLATER Get ready for the new Tag Rugby season THE Irish Tag Rugby Association is celebrating 12 years at the top with the launch of the 2012 tag rugby season, which is set to be one of the largest, with venues throughout the city with a few places still available for local teams to sign up to join in the fun.

There are tag leagues taking place across Dublin, and there are places still available currently at UCD rugby, Wesley College, Westmanstown, Terenure and NUIM Barnhall, and potential players should sign up at www.tagrugby.ie as soon as possible.

From 2000 to date, the Irish Tag Rugby Association have enlisted 15,000 players in 26 nationwide venues playing in leagues, and this season’s start will see an equally enthusiastic reaction from the nation’s rugby afficionados.

The CEO of ITRA, Peadar Niland, has been thrilled to see such loyalty and growth in a previously unknown sport, particularly among businesses.

“As 98% of our audience is professional and aged between 20 and 35, we have seen numbers shoot up in the corporate team entry. We believe there has been a shift in promoting team spirit, morale and ‘the company that plays together, stays together’ ethos is apparent. So much so, our Corporate Cup Day has had to change venue for 2012 to facilitate increased numbers.

“If anything, the recession has brought more people out to play. It’s an easy way of participating in a ready-made team sport, and we find a team for each individual who wants to play.

“We recognise the urgent need for people to be active, yet in a fun and social manner, and, at an average of €4 per game, it is an inexpensive activity, too,” said Niland.

This year, the ITRA is teaming up with the Irish Heart Foundation as its chosen charity, and UMPC Beacon as a health partner.

To make it easy for the players to get involved, the ITRA have developed a smartphone app, that embraces and encourages fun and sport, and provides information about venues and fixtures.

ONE of the Curtis Cup’s most iconic figures, Mary McKenna, is looking forward to taking in the premier team event in the women’s amateur golfing schedule next week in slightly more laid-back mode.

Her exploits in the competition — nine call-ups as a player before captaining the side in 2008 and 2010 — among other groundbreaking acheivements earned the Donabate golf club member an MBE last November.

These are among the exploits documented in Fingal Sporting Heroes – written by Paul Harris with the support of the Fingal Local Studies and Archive department – and ones which the Malahide

resident holds closest to her heart.

“In the amateur game, the Curtis Cup is the highlight of your career, and is just about as high up as you can go,” she told GazetteSport.

“I played nine times

home clubs of the Curtis sisters. So, I was very lucky that I had two very special occasions.”

Enjoyment The event switches to The Nairn in Scotland on the June bank holiday

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‘When I played, it was an era before goal-setting. You just went out and played your heart out in every match’

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which was incredible, and then had the honour of captaining, which was even more special because it was at St Andrew’s.

“Two years later, it was at Essex country club, which was one of the

Mary McKenna and Mayor Gerry McGuire at the launch of Fingal Sporting Heroes. Picture: GAApics.com

weekend, and McKenna is looking forward to enjoying a different side to the competition she graced with such distinction.

“I’ll have time to talk to past players and supporters and be able to attend various events. The last two times I was there, you really don’t have time to socialise.

“As a player, you only have to worry about your own game. As captain, you have to watch all eight games, and are making sure all the players are happy.

“Stressful? It wasn’t hugely so. Quite honestly, I had two wonderful teams, they all mucked in and enjoyed it and played their hearts out. You’re worried; you think, ‘did I do the right thing putting them in the right pairings?’

“If you win, then you’re great and if you lose, it’s your fault. It’s like soccer managers – you have absolutely no control

once they go off the first tee.”

McKenna first took up a golf club as a 14-year-old.

Her family began playing the sport en masse, despite having little in the way of background in golf as she and her mother made the short trip up the Baskin road.

With Donabate, her progress was aided by the presence of Vivienne Singleton in the club who went on to become a fellow international and foursomes partner for many years.

And they found their progression eased by a path laid out for them by trailblazing Irish female golfers.

“You follow in the footsteps of Phil Garvey, Kitty McCann and Ita Butler. It just seemed to all happen for me. The first championship I played in, I got to the final, and the second year, I won it.

“It was an era before goal-setting; you just went out and played your heart out and tried to win every match.”

At her first attempt, she claimed the Irish Close Championship in Lahinch in 1968, and reached the British Open championships semi-final a year later, helping McKenna nab her first Curtis Cup place.

Indeed, she was the only Irish player to make the British and Irish Curtis Cup side throughout the 1970s, but still managed to lead Ireland to

a first European team title in 1979 in 72 years – something for which she received the DAKS Woman Golfer of the Year award.

Domestically, she was equally dominant, winning an incredible eight Irish titles before retiring in 1993.

It came at a time when the professional ranks were not an option, though suggestions were she could have been a major challenger.

“In later years, the professional European tour started, but I was very fortunate. I had the best of both worlds because I worked in the Bank of Ireland and my original boss was a golfer, so I could work around holidays.

“I was a bit of a homebird and to turn pro when I was at the right time, I would have had to go to the States. In a way, I didn’t really know enough about it.

“I didn’t have any history of golf in my family. We all started golf together and had no relations who knew much about it, so it was never on the cards.

“I love amateur golf and I have absolutely no regrets. I’m not sure I really would like the Tour because it is hard graft and not so comfortable for a girl.

“But it’s a different world now and there are more tournaments and a little bit more money – although compared to the men, it’s tiny.”

24 May 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 35

2012 DUBLIN SPORTS AWARDS - MAY NOMINEES

FastSport

# STARof the MONTH

EOIN RHEINISCH

GAVIN MOYNIHAN

LEO CULLEN

SALMON Leap’s Rheinisch once again sealed Olympic qualification this month when he gave a top-class performance at the European Championships.

The Island Golf Club’s young star was the winner of the 2012 Irish Amateur Open Championship at Royal Dublin Golf Club this month.

THE talisman of Leinster rugby has become the most successful captain in European cup rugby after the province once again claimed the Heineken Cup.

# TEAMof the MONTH

ST BRIGID’S

OWENS/FLANIGAN

PORTMARNOCK CS

A seldom achieved milestone was impressively claimed by the Under-14 footballers and hurlers as they claimed the Dublin Feile double this month.

THE dynamic duo got their pass for London 2012 when they acheived entry into the gold fleet of the 470 class at the world championships in Barcelona.

PORTMARNOCK CS capped a brilliant season this month when they added Leinster glory to the north Dublin and Dublin titles they claimed this season.

Sexton grants wishes: Tally nets €5,900 for Make-A-Wish charity LEINSTER hero, Ireland rugby international, and Make-A-Wish ambassador Jonathan Sexton handed over €5,900 to Make-A-Wish Ireland at the end result of his Kicking for Charity campaign in partnership with Volkswagen Ireland.

Volkswagen approached Jonathan, pictured here with Maeve McCarey of Volkswagen Ireland and Susan O’Dwyer of Make-A-Wish Ireland, and agreed that for every kick (drop goal, conversion or penalty) and try that he scored as part of the 2010 season (incorporating the Heineken Cup, Magners League, Guinness Autumn Internationals, RBS 6 Nations, Guinness Summer Series and Rugby World Cup) they would donate €50 to the charity of his choice, Make-A-Wish Ireland, resulting in this grand total.

Curran launches 2012 Tattersalls’ fair IRELAND team captain Geoff Curran, member of the 2008 Irish Olympic Team and who will be competing for a place on the 2012 team, recently launched the 2012 Tattersalls International Horse Trials and Country Fair, as Ireland’s top riders prepare for the Olympic qualifier this June Bank Holiday weekend.

Taking place from May 31 to June 3 in Ratoath, Co Meath, Ireland’s premier international three-day event attracts top-class competitors who will compete in the three equine disciplines of dressage, cross-country and show jumping in a bid to qualify for the London 2012 Olympics.

Roger Casey, general manager of Tattersalls, said: “The 2012 Tattersalls International Horse Trials and Country Fair promises to be an exhilarating event for all the family to enjoy.

“We hope to top last year’s attendance numbers and encourage people to get behind the Irish riders as they compete for a place on the Irish Olympic team.

“International entries include riders such as the UK’s Zara Philips and William FoxPitt and New Zealanders Blyth Tait and Mark Todd to name but a few.

“This is a great opportunity to see Irish riders such as Camilla Spiers, Mark Kyle and Jayne Doherty as they compete amongst the best in the world.”

The fair promises to be a great event for the entire family to enjoy, with over 50 shopping stands including brands like Dubarry and Magee Clothing, locally-produced food, picnic areas and old fashioned carnival stands, everyone will have the opportunity to see world-class eventing and some of the world’s most fearsome Olympian’s up close and personal, while enjoying all the fun of the fair.

Tickets range from €5 for one day adult admission to €50 for a picnic pass (includes entry for two adults and two children) For more information, see www.tattshorsetrials.ie.

36 LUCAN GAZETTE 24 May 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

HOCKEY: IRISH INTERNATIONAL IMPARTS SKILL TO YOUTH

Community teams in Games medal haul THERE were medals galore for Lucan sporting stars last weekend when the Dublin Community Games finals took place in Gaelic football and soccer.

The boys’ Under-12 soccer final was played in Westmanstown last Friday night, which saw Knocklyon and Lucan take to the field, as a high sense of anticipation began to build.

In a highly entertaining final, the teams were tied at 2-2 in the second half, and looked as though extra-time would have to be played to separate these competitive sides.

With so little between the teams in terms of energy and skill, the questions were already being asked if extra time would get a result or would these two teams need a penalty shoot-out to separate them.

But Lucan kept their heads and successfully broke through Knocklyon’s defence to find the back of the net and secure their gold medals, with a full time score of 3-2.

Lucan now progress, alongside Donabate/Portrane, to represent Dublin at the HSE Community Games Leinster finals in Carlow in July.

Elsewhere, the Under-11 Gaelic football finals were hosted by Malahide GAA last Tuesday night, with Knocklyon, Donabate/Portrane, Lucan and home side Malahide all taking to the pitch.

Malahide defeated Lucan in the first semi-final, while Donabate/Portrane overcame a strong Knocklyon side in the second semi-final.

The play-off was a tense match between Lucan and Knocklyon, a match that proved exciting from the first whistle. Both teams matched each other kick for kick, but it was Knocklyon that found the net again in the dying seconds to secure bronze.

In an energetic final which saw Malahide take on Donabate/Portrane, there was little between the teams but it was Donabate/Portrane emerged victorious and went home with gold medals.

Irish international hockey player, Kenny Carroll, assisted in introducing new skills to the players at Adamstown Educate Together

Carroll trains with locals I sport@gazettegroup.com

THE Adamstown Castle Educate Together School’s boys hockey team, led by coach Grainne Ni Lanagain, welcomed Irish international player, Kenny Carroll, for a special training session last week.

The school have introduced many new players to the sport, holding training sessions in the school’s hall in the past year, and were buoyed by the arrival of Carroll, captain of Irish Senior Cup finalists, Railway Union.

With him in tow, the group worked on their individual ball skills, pass-

ing and receiving and also played some hotly-contested small-sided games.

Carroll said of the boys’ abilities: “I was very impressed with the ability of all the boys. They have a great environment in which to develop their hockey, with Grainne’s excellent coaching and also the school’s sports hall in which to play.

“They showed great close control and awareness of their different passing options, something which I am sure has developed from using the confined area of the sports hall in which to practice. I’m sure more of them will join their local

Going the distance: Brian’s great season

LUCAN athlete Brian MacMahon gave an almost utterly commanding display when he came second in the Tom Byrne 5km Race that took place in Lucan last weekend.

Brian has been in rare form this season, coming first in the Limerick marathon recently in a time of 2.27, recorded a 2.26 in the Paris marathon in April, and strong finishes in the National senior cross-country championships and the Ras na hEireann international crosscountry race.

Brian, who runs for Clonliffe Harriers AC, is currently training for the European and World mountain-running championships later this summer in Turkey and Italy.

club, Weston, who have an excellent youth set-up.”

The boys’ team aren’t the only hockey team in Adamstown Castle ET school. The school’s girls’ team recently participated in Weston HC’s Rory Cunningham Perpetual Trophy, a tournament organised by Weston for primary schoolgirls’ hockey teams from the Lucan area.

This year, ten teams entered from different schools around the greater Lucan/Adamstown area.

Speaking about hockey in Adamstown ETS, Ni Lanagain said: “The school is very proud of the

hockey teams, not only has their playing ability improved greatly over the last couple of years, their style of play and attitude on the pitch is always a credit to themselves and the school.

“They work well as a team but as individuals, they have all shown great determination to improve their skill levels. We would love to see more of the boys and girls join the local club, especially as many of them are moving on to secondary school next year.”

Indeed, junior hockey is on the rise in Weston at the moment. They have currently over 120 junior

players between boys and girls.

T his season, they entered their first ever U-16 boys team in the Leinster League and are being led by the well known figure in Leinster hockey, Philip Corcoran, who is the chairman of the Junior section of Weston.

Corcoran said: “Hockey in Lucan and in west Dublin is going from strength to strength. With continued developments and making inroads into schools like Adamstown Castle Educate Together School it gives us a great stepping stone for the future.”

24 May 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 37

GAELIC FOOTBALL: PALMERSTOWN MOVING ON UP

CLUB NOTICEBOARD LUCAN SARSFIELDS WELL done to our Under-11 hurlers,

ners were: 1st: Garry Beagan - 39

who were crowned Dublin Commu-

pts; 2nd: Gerry O’Grady - 37 pts;

nity Games champions, and now go

Cat1 : Derek Quilligan - 32 pts; Cat

on to represent Dublin in Leinster.

2: Dinny Malone - 31 pts; Cat 3: Mick

Congratulations to Lorna Mur-

Our next outing is in Castleknock

who beat off stiff opposition to win

on Saturday, June 9. A full list of

the final of Sars Stars on Saturday

next weekend’s fixtures are on our

night in the clubhouse.

website.

Thank you to all the contestants

Our nurseries for boys and girls

who took part in the competition

born in 2005, 2006 and 2007 con-

and the huge audience that attend-

tinue every Saturday at 1.30pm on

ed each night.

our all-weather pitch at the 12th

Thank you also to those who

Lock. Camogie nursery at 2.30pm

donated raffle prizes, especially

for girls aged six and over. This is

Kathleen Roche and Cathy O’Neill.

your child’s chance to be coached

Well done to our senior footballers on winning their first championship game last Wednesday.

Pat’s blitz leaves Mark’s in the dust DUBLIN SFC ROUND ONE St Pat’s Palmerstown St Mark’s

0-22 1-6

I sport@gazettegroup.com

ST PAT’S Palmerstown bounded into the second round of the Dublin senior football championship with plenty to spare when St Mark’s proved no match for the Glenauline club.

Four points inside the opening 11 minutes without response set the tone, and St Pat’s were scarcely troubled as Peter Keaney and Damian Farren bossed the midfield proceedings.

It took scarcely 40 seconds for the latter to break the deadlock and, with James Kelly, Graham Kelly and Colm Driver clearing the bar soon after, the result was scarcely in doubt.

Farren leaped to claim masses of clean ball in midfield to see St Mark’s penned back while, despite a number

of poorly-struck efforts a t t h e t a r g e t , P a t ’s accumulated plenty of points.

Graham Kelly was twice denied by Mark’s keeper Martin Kavanagh from threatening openings, too, with Pat’s dominance almost absolute.

Declan Cairns’ free was the sole break in the Glenauline club’s momentum. James Kelly pointed from a narrow angle on the left while Driver, in a quasi-quarter-back role, picked off a couple of neat points.

It led to a 0-9 to 0-2 advantage at half-time, and St Pat’s pushed on yet further in the second half, as Aidan Glennon picked off one of just three Pat’s frees on the night to start the second half.

Cairns responded with a free, but there was to be no big comeback, as James Kelly and Glennon extended the margin to nine points.

Substitute Ciaran McInerney and Cairns scored Mark’s only back-to -back points around the 44th minute b u t t e n s u c c e s s i ve points showed a clean pair of heels.

Among them, corner back Graham Dunne forged forward for a fine team score, while Brian Carson scored a couple of points from the half-backs, showing their dominance.

Indeed, no fewer than

eleven different scorers got on the board, as Fergal Maher was next to raid forward, while Keaney capped his performance with another score.

Sub Des Rushe came on to close out the tally of 22 points, while Dean Daley netted a rebounded consolation effort for Mark’s with the last kick of the game, but it mattered little in what had proved to be a thorough thrashing.

by Dublin senior hurling captain, Johnny McCaffrey.

Opening times for our club shop

There were good wins last week-

are Tuesday and Thursday from

end for Under-8 hurlers and minor

7.30 to 8.30pm and Saturday from

B hurlers, despite being short key

10.30 to 11.30am.

players.

St Pat’s Palmerstown’s Graham Kelly was in action against St Mark’s

O’Hara - 36pts.

tagh, representing the Mama Mia’s,

Last week’s lotto numbers were

Results from our Castlewarden

16, 17, 19 and 28. There was no win-

outing: 28 golfers turned out for

ner. Next week’s jackpot will be

our first evening outing. The win-

€6,500.

ST PAT’S PALMERSTOWN THERE were great wins this week

free transport from Palmerstown

by both adult football teams, espe-

House and a voucher for sausages

cially the senior footballers, with an

and chips. Kids go free with par-

impressive win over St Mark’s.

ents.

The U-13 footballers were unlucky

Lotto number and results: First

in their replay against Scoil Ui Cho-

draw numbers drawn were 6, 9, 21

naill.

and 24. There was no winner.

For all members interested the 2012 Senior Football and Hurling

Second draw: Numbers drawn were 7, 17, 25 and 2. There was no winner.

Championship Prediction Compe-

Any three numbers had four win-

titions, it begins next weekend on

ners: Ambrose Condron, Sean Car-

www.facetheball.com.

son, B McCloat and Shiv Branagan.

Tickets for the greyhound night on

Next Sunday: First draw jackpot

Friday, June 1, are now available. The

of €10,000; Second draw jackpot of

cost is €15 per adult, and includes

€2,000.

WESTMANSTOWN GAELS THERE was no luck on championship

If anyone is interested in buying club

fields last week with both ladies’ and

tops or wind cheaters, please con-

mens’ junior 1s losing out.

tact team mentors or any committee

The ladies went down to St Sylvest-

member.

er’s in Malahide last Wednesday night,

Most of the weekend fixtures were

while our Junior 1s went under to St

postponed owing to Communion com-

James’ Gaels at the Iveagh grounds on

mitments, but the U-12 girls did play

Tuesday evening.

Beann Eadair on Sunday and lost a

The ladies are out again this week in the championship, away to Raheny.

high-scoring encounter narrowly.

Congratulations to everyone that

The intermediates are back in league

made their Communion recently but

action on next Saturday night when

a special thought for James Mitten

we host Man-o-War in a rearranged

U-8s who only went and got his First

fixture at Westmanstown at 6:15pm.

Communion cake in the design of the

Training continues on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm.

Westmanstown Gaels’ jersey. How cool is that?

Follow GazetteSport on Facebook and Twitter, and at www.gazettegroup.com

ALL OF YOUR LUCAN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 33-37

ON THE MARK: St Pat’s, Palmerstown sweep past St Mark’s SFC challenge P37

MAY 24, 2012

CURTIS QUEEN: McKenna on amateur golf’s top honour P34

GazetteSPORT

LSL dispute has Lucan in limbo Steven Hannon is among a group of Lucan United players to have tasted Vere Deane Cup final success before

United forced to play waiting game to find out their Vere Deane Cup final opponent as Terenure appeal STEPHEN FINDLATER

lucansport@gazettegroup.com

LUCAN United’s LSL Saturday Division 3A side were left in limbo again as they await the name of their final opponent in the Vere Deane Cup decider.

The Airlie Heights club were due to face Castle Park last Saturday only for the fixture to be called off with two days’ notice as Terenure – beaten semi-finalists – called into question Castle Park’s eligibility in that game.

Appeal A final date has been reset for next Sunday at 11am in St Mochta’s grounds in Porterstown but, at time of going to press on Tuesday, Lucan player-manager John Markey said he still did not know who his side were playing.

“After they lost the other semi-final, Terenure put in an appeal. It’s now up to the Leinster Senior League and the FAI to say if they are right or wrong so we’re still waiting to hear

about it,” he told GazetteSport.

“It’s a bit of a nuisance but we’re training as it’s going to be played on Sunday but we haven’t really got any indication when they’ll make a decision on it.

“It’s been a disaster. Lads have had to try and get the time off work only to find out there’s no game.

“It was supposed to be last Saturday but we only got told last Thursday that an appeal had gone in. It’s not ideal for a cup final, that’s for sure.”

It means his side has not played a competitive fixture since May 5 as they seek to close out their season having upset the odds against higher division opposition in each of the last three rounds.

Markey, himself, is going in search of a third Vere Deane title having won it twice before while Gavin Nolan and Steven Hannon are other panel members who have had their hands on the trophy before.

Nolan, though, is an injury doubt but could

be a big boost for the side along with Paul Fitzgibbon should they make the starting line-up.

They go into the final off the back of a decent second half of the season – Markey took over the reins at Christmas – marked mainly by their strong cup run, suffering just two losses and two draws in the intervening five months.

Form Among those results were a lively 2-2 draw with Castle Park and a 4-3 loss to Terenure but Markey knows it will be a tight battle.

“Whichever team we play, we know its going to be a close game. I don’t really have a preference.”

Elsewhere, the club will host it’s annual fun day at their Airlie Heights home on June 2 with something for everyone in the community.

On theday, Lucan will have soccer tournaments taking place throughout the day while there will also be face-painting, food and a DJ among other activities.