Swords Gazet te FREE
Jobs have been secured at Sword’s Pamela Scott store
see page 2 May 9, 2013
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Month XX, 2012 Swords • Balbriggan • Applewood • boroimhe • Airside • Rivervalley
Football:
Local players help Jackies to minor title Page 31
Soccer:
Swords Celtic crowned as league winners Page 30
BUSTED!
PAUL HOSFORD
ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES....................... 8 DUBLIN LIFE....................11 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................27
A Garda investigation is under way after thousands of copies of the Lucan Gazette were removed from stores last week. The pictures above showTommy Morris, parliamentary assistant to Fine Gael’s Derek Keating TD, who was captured on CCTV, taking substantial numbers of Gazettes from different stores during last Thursday and Friday.
The paper’s distribution staff believe that over 3,000 copies were taken across Lucan, including the Village, Ballyowen, Hillcrest, Dodsboro and Griffeen Valley. This week Tom Curran, general secretary of Fine Gael, said: “[The party] condemns in the strongest possible terms the actions of MrTommy Morris, who is an employee of Derek Keating TD, in removing copies of the Lucan Gazette from retail outlets. His actions have no place in politics. We are deeply disappointed by these events.”
Local residents, advertisers and distributors of the paper are angry at the actions. One reader of the publication said: “I looked for the Lucan Gazette on several days in Marks and Spencer and I couldn’t find it there. This is censorship and it smacks of underhandedness. “They should let people read what they want. If I had advertised this week I would have been incensed.” Continued on Page 5
2 swords gazette 9 May 2013
dublin GAZETTe newspapers i n f o r m at i o n
good news Swords welcomes resolution
Block 3A, Mill Bank Business Park, Lucan Tel: 01 - 6010240 Dublin Gazette Newspapers publish eight weekly quality free titles, covering the greater Dublin area from Swords to Dun Laoghaire
c o n ta c t s Managing Director: Michael McGovern mmcgovern@gazettegroup.com Pamela Scott stores will be celebrating the good news with a Thank You 20% discount weekend for customers nationwide this weekend
News Editor: Mimi Murray mmurray@gazettegroup.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile jmaile@gazettegroup.com Picture Editor: Paul Hosford picturedesk@gazettegroup.com Sports Editor: Rob Heigh rheigh@gazettegroup.com Financial Controller: Carly Lynch clynch@gazettegroup.com Advertising Production: Suzanne Sheehy ssheehy@gazettegroup.com Advertising Sales: 01 - 6010240 sales@gazettegroup.com
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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.
137 jobs secured at Pamela Scott stores A total of 137 jobs has been secured at Pamela Scott stores nationwide this week, including the jobs of those working in the Swords branch of the popular retail store. The news comes af ter Flairline Fashions, owner of Pamela Scott released a statement earlier this week announcing that the company has successfully exited examinership. Speaking to the Gazette, director of Flairline Fashions Scott Barron confirmed the good news for the Swords area. “Flairline Fashions, who ow ns Pamela Scott, is delighted to announce that the company that houses Pamela Scott stores in Ireland have successfully exited examinership today. One of these stores is in the Pavilions in Swords and all the girls’ jobs are safe.”
natalie burke nburke@gazettegroup.com
Mr Barron said he hoped the Pamela Scott store would remain in the local shopping centre for the coming years, saying: “Pamela Scott will be there for the next 10 to 15 years, please God.” The news that 12 of the 24 Pamela Scott stores in Ireland successfully exited the examinership process was announced earlier this week. The announcement was welcome news to those working in the local retail store, who all hail from the local north Dublin area. “ We ’r e a b s o l u t e l y delighted, we’re ecstatic. There are just no
wo r d s ,” s a i d F i o n a Macken, assistant manager of the Pamela Scott Swords store. “It was very worrying for a while but we’re actually over the moon. It’s fantastic news and we thank customers for their support. We thank customers for coming in and giving us the business and support in general. It’s brilliant news,” she said. The statement released earlier this week from the parent company, Flairline Fashions, said that despite previous concerns, the 12 shops would remain open and all 137 jobs at these stores have been secured. The company said that negotiations with i t s l a n d l o r d s h ave resulted in a 40% reduction in overheads since 2007. The 12 shops, which trade under the company name Arzac Devel-
opments, are located in the Pavilions Shopping Centre in Swords, as well as in locations in Dundrum, Grafton Street, Blanchardstown, Limerick Crescent and Limerick City, Tralee, Carlow, Drogheda, Arklow, Sligo and Mahon Point in Cork. “Renegotiation of leases has been crucial to the success of the restructuring process,” said Barron in the statement. He said that all 12 shops had upward only clauses in their rent contracts. “Subsequent to landlord negotiations as part of the examinership process, approximately 65% of these upward only clauses have been replaced and these leases are now market rent leases and can be negotiated both up and dow n depending on market conditions,” he added. Flairline Fashion also
announced that it has plans to open another four to six new stores for later this year and is now trading in Northern Ireland for the first time. Pamela Scott stores will be celebrating the good news with a Thank Yo u 2 0 % d i s c o u n t weekend for customers nationwide this weekend. Meanwhile, jobs have also been saved this week at eight B&Q stores across Ireland after the company also successfully exited examinership. The move will ensure that 640 jobs countrywide have been saved, including a number of jobs at the Swordsbased branch. B&Q Ireland sought the appointment of an Examiner on January 31 this year, in a bid to rescue the business which was significantly lossmaking.
9 May 2013 swords gazette 3
support Arts Council ‘delighted’ to help support important events concert Enchiriadis Treis set to perform
North Dublin festivals set to receive €7k natalie burke nburke@gazettegroup.com
Festivals across Dublin are set to benefit from Arts Council support, it was revealed this week, with two north Dublin festivals to receive a total of over €7,000. The Scoil Sheamuis Ennis festival and the Skerries Soundwave Festival committee will be two of nine festivals around Dublin to benefit from €36,000 in Arts Council funding. T he Ar ts Council
supports local festivals throughout Ireland and this particular funding was made through round two of the festivals and events scheme 2013. The festivals and events scheme is aimed at locally-based events which might otherwise find it difficult to take place without the support. The Skerries Soundwaves Music and Arts festival is set to receive €4,000 in support. The festival is a 10-day celebration aiming to bring many different music genres
and art forms to the town and surrounding areas of Skerries. Events range from classical concerts to rock music and street entertainment, while other highlights include spectacular fireworks at Skerries Harbour. Scoil Sheamuis Ennis will receive €3,500 in funding from the council. Speaking after the announcement last week, Orlaith McBride, director of the Arts Council, said she was “delighted” that the Arts Council has the ability to support the
The Skerries Soundwaves Music and Arts festival is set to receive €4,000 in support
important festivals. “The arts play a vital role in our economy, especially in local job creation, driving economic activity for local businesses and for local tourism. When Ireland doesn’t have the weather in summer, many good memories are created for tourists, for families and for young people through these hugely
important local events.” Despite funding for the arts being cut by 30% since 2008, Orlaith says she sees it as vital to counties such as Dublin, and other areas across the country, that support for the arts is maintained within limited resources as much as possible. “The range and ambition of the festivals fund-
ed under the Arts Council’s festivals and events scheme demonstrates how central the arts are in all our lives and the exciting talents that are in Ireland,” says Orlaith. “From an array of traditional and multi-disciplinary arts festivals to niche events in film, literature and circus there is something for everyone to enjoy.”
An acclaimed community choir based in Malahide will be performing a special concert in Swords this weekend. Enchiriadis Treis, which has over 100 members, will perform Mozart’s Coronation Mass and Vivaldi’s Gloria, two of the composers’ best known and loved works with orchestral and solo accompaniment at the newly opened Riasc Centre in Swords on Saturday, May 11, at 8pm. The local choir, which celebrates its 20th anniversary next year, has previously performed in The National Concert Hall, as well as various venues in Europe. Tickets are priced at €20 and are available by emailing farrenmaria@ yahoo.co.uk or calling 085 8498442.
4 swords gazette 9 May 2013
initiative Applications sought for grants of €1,000, €2,000 or €5,000
Groups urged to apply for Dublin Bus funding natalie burke
Voluntary community groups in Fingal are being urged to apply for funding to the Dublin Bus Community Spirit Initiative, which is now seeking applications. Local Fine Gael TD Alan Farrell this week welcomed the initiative saying not enough people in the
local area are aware that Dublin Bus runs the Community Spirit Initiative which grants financial awards to voluntary community groups in order to make a meaningful contribution to the towns in which it operates. “Fingal has a rich community voluntary sector and this is a unique and terrific opportunity
for volunteers to apply for some additional support to develop new projects, grow services and help raise community spirit,” he said. To date, up to 1,300 community voluntary groups in Dublin have benefited from these awards. The Dublin Bus Community Spirit Initiative is seeking applications for grants of €1,000, €2,000
or €5,000 for voluntary groups that work in the area of children and youth, sport, people with disabilities, older people, environment and local community and education. Deputy Farrell says investment such as the awards offered by Dublin Bus have a knock on effect for the local communities involved. “Investment in community
groups has a positive knock on effect for the public at large and raises community spirit and I am pleased that Dublin Bus has continued to recognise its role in playing a part in local development.” The closing date for applications is Friday, June 7. More information can be found online at www.dublinbus.ie.
FastNews
Free electrical recycling days
Serving 8 thriving communities of suburban Dublin. F OR U P TO D ATE N E W s V i s i t : www . f a c e b o o k . c o m / D u b l i nG a z e t t e N e wsp a p e r s
Rush South Beach failed to achieve sufficient water quality
EPA report: area one of four of 136 to flunk test
Rush fails to meet EU water standards natalie burke nburke@gazettegroup.com
A local beach has failed to meet mandatory water quality standards, it has emerged this week. This is according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) who said that of 136 bathing areas across Ireland; just four have failed to meet the standards set by the EU, including that of Rush South Beach in Fingal. The EPA launched their report on The Quality of Bathing Water in Ireland – An Overview for the Year 2012 last week, which listed Fingal’s beaches as either having sufficient,
good or insufficient quality status. The EPA said last summer’s wet weather is to blame as low levels of pollution were caused by wastewater storm overflows. They said the bathing water season coincided with the wettest summer for over 50 years with many areas recording two to three times their expected summer rainfall. The news was greeted with disappointment by local Cllr Darragh Butler (FF) who described it as being more bad news for the local town of Rush. “It is very disappointing that Rush South Beach failed to achieve
sufficient water quality status,” he said. “This continues the bad news for Rush with the loss of the Garda station and bank, reduced library hours and now this. More will need to be done by Fingal County Council to rectify this as soon as possible. “In addition, we need to try and improve the areas that received ‘sufficient’ water quality status up to ‘good’ or higher,” he added. The findings of the EPA showed that despite the bad weather, the quality of Ireland’s bathing waters remained high overall, with over 97% of identified bathing areas
meeting the EU mandatory standards. Balbriggan beach, Loughshinny and Skerries South Beach were three beaches in Dublin North to receive “sufficient” water quality status in the report, while Balcarrick in Donabate, Malahide Beach, Velvet Strand at Portmarnock, Portrane and Burrow Beach in Sutton received “good” water status. Fingal County Council also designated one new coastal bathing area – Claremont Beach in Howth - for the 2012 bathing season, raising the total number of identified bathing areas to 136 in the report.
The European Recycling Platform (ERP) in association with Fingal County Council will host two free electrical recycling days at Tesco car park, Rush on May 10 and Tesco carpark, Balbriggan on May 11 from 10am to 4pm. Householders are encouraged to bring along their electrical waste including any unwanted electrical items with a plug or a battery, where they will be recycled free of charge. ERP recycling officers will be on hand to help with the unloading of items. For further information visit www. erp-recycling.ie.
New fitness group launches A new fitness group has launched in Swords and is currently holding classes for new members. Lyte Fitness Swords hold classes in boxercise, circuit boot-camp, busta-move aerobics and fab-abs in Columcilles GAA Club in Swords. To celebrate their launch, Lyte Fitness is introducing an offer of unlimited classes for a month for €60, which includes weigh-ins, body-fat analysis and nutritional advice. For more information, contact lytefitnessswords@gmail.com.
9 May 2013 swords gazette 5
reaction: fg condemn actions of keating aide tommy morris
local park
Ban is lifted on cycling
Taking of newspapers sparks Garda inquiry continued from cover
GAZETTE managing director Michael McGovern said: “We will take whatever steps are necessary to protect our brand, the people who read the paper and the people who spend money advertising with us. “The Gazette is a group of eight papers, with a weekly print-run of more than 40,000 copies. We employ 22 people, as well as freelance and agency workers. “That someone would attempt to jeopardise their livelihoods in these times is particularly shocking. “We have sought legal advice, and reported the matter to the Garda. We are determined to ensure that the person or persons
responsible are made accountable,” he said. The Gazette made many attempts to contact Mr Morris, but he had not responded by the time of going to press. Barry McCall, president, the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), said it was “astonishing and bizarre behaviour by an individual being paid by the taxpayer”. He added: “Respect for media freedom is a hallmark of a modern democracy.” T he Gazette NUJ chapel said: “As a local paper, we seek balance in our coverage of all stories and give space to as many points of view as possible. “We are shocked at the consequences of this course of conduct which, in effect, we believe is an
attempt to censor our reporting.” When asked if he would apologise, Deputy Keating said he had initiated an internal investigation. Deputy Keating said: “Following legal advice, I am now initiating an internal investigation into these allegations. This internal investigation may lead to disciplinary procedures against Mr Morris. “I wish to be unequivocal that, at no time, in this alleged incident, did Mr Morris act with my knowledge or consent.” At the time of going to press, there has been no effort made, nor has any confirmation or undertaking been given, to return the papers to The Gazette and/or not to repeat such conduct.
The Write stuff: Girls take a firm lead in handwriting competition Cecilia Leo from St Colmcille’s GNS in Swords was among the prize winners in this year’s 2013 National Handwriting Competition. The competition, which is running for 21 years, was open to all national schools throughout the country and focused more than ever on keeping the art of handwriting alive. This year the girls took a firm lead in the handwriting stakes with 13 of them taking prizes out of the 21 on offer. Pictured with Cecilia is television presenter Emma O’Driscoll-Cronin.
After being prohibited in Newbridge Park for some time, local area activist Clara La Combre (FF) for Donabate and Portrane has recently welcomed the news that cycling is once again permitted in the local park. According to La Combre, a cycling ban was placed in the park last year following a number of minor accidents but has reported that the decision has recently been reversed by Fingal County Council. Following the decision, new signs have since been erected in the park. “These new signs allow for cycling as long as cyclists respect the right-of-way of pedestrians,” she said.
6 swords gazette 9 May 2013
opinion Promoting and monitoring children’s rights
180 additional public bodies under Ombudsman’s remit As of April 30, 2013, following an amendment to the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002, over 180 additional public bodies were brought within the remit of the Ombudsman for Children’s Office. This is a positive development meaning the office
can now investigate a far greater number of public bodies and organisations that provide services to or make decisions about children or their families on behalf of the State. Established in 2004, the Ombudsman for Children’s Office is the independent statutory
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body with responsibility for promoting and monitoring children’s rights in Ireland. The role and functions of the Ombudsman for Children’s Office as set out in legislation, the Ombudsman for Children Act, 2002 are to provide an independent, impartial and free complaints handling service; to advise Ministers on policy and legislation; to consult with children directly on matters that affect them and to highlight their concerns. After almost 10 years of investigating the actions of public bodies within remit, it was clear to the office that the core principles of best interests and respect for the views of the child were not always respected in Ireland. When the office investigates a complaint, our intervention has consistently provided opportunities to increase accountability, to promote transparency and improve the quality of the decision-making that directly affects the lives of children and families. Clearly ensuring that more bodies are subject to our investigatory powers means that there will be opportunities to ensure that children and families are receiving better services from the State. The Ombudsman for Children’s Office first raised concerns about the number of public bodies excluded from the remit of the office in 2005. We continued to raise these concerns both at a domestic level with
Dr Niall Muldoon, director of Investigations, Ombudsman for Children’s Office
Government and at an international level, with the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. Under the Ombudsman for Children Act, 2002 the Ombudsman for Children is obliged to monitor and review the operation of the Act and can make recommendations to the Minister and or the Oireachtas for change. In March 2012, the Ombudsman for Children’s Office submitted a formal review of the Act, setting out our concerns about the current legislation and making recom-
mendations to address these concerns. In July 2012, the Ombudsman for Children’s Office began direct engagement with Minister Brendan Howlin and his department, and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The result of this engagement is the Ombudsman for Children Amendment Act and we are pleased that the Oireachtas has addressed the main concerns and brought the 180 new bodies under the remit of the office. Accessibility to a free,
independent mechanism of redress for people who cannot avail of redress in the courts is fundamental to a well-functioning democracy. The role of the office is even more important in providing a low cost, independent mechanism for parents and children through our complaints function. By identifying and recommending the resolution of systemic problems and extending the remit of the office, this statutory function will continue to assist even more children into the future by
going towards creating a culture where children are treated properly. T here are over 1,100,000 children and young people in Ireland and, as a society, we have responsibility to them, to ensure that when decisions are made that will directly impact on these lives that the decision makers really think about what is best for young people. Dr Niall Muldoon Director of Investigations Ombudsman for Children’s Office
9 May 2013 SWORDS GAZETTE 7
FUNDS Announcement of €50k investment promises to improvements BALBRIGGAN Open auditions for local talent
Loughshinny Harbour set for major revamp NATALIE BURKE nburke@gazettegroup.com
www.
LOUGHSHINNY Harbour is set to see major works take place this year after a €50,000 investment was announced for its improvement. The bulk of the funding was granted to Fingal County Council by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and will go towards muchneeded works at the local Fingal harbour. According to local Dublin North TD Alan Farrell (FG), a total of €37,500 will come from
the Department, while the remainder will be funded by the council itself. “This grant was sought by Fingal County Council in order to resurface the pier at Loughshinny, and to remove stepped access and to upgrade recessed ladder access,” Deputy Farrell explained. “The works, when completed, will improve the appearance and safety of the harbour, and is part of Government’s Fishery Harbour and Coastal Development Programme 2013.” Deputy Farrell said Dublin Fingal harbours
received a major Government stimulus package of €400,000 in 2012 as part of the programme, where “shovel-ready” projects were selected for works in order to create local employment while also benefiting the area. “Seaside communities such as Loughshinny are very proud of their harbours,” Deputy Farrell continued. “Projects such as this will ensure that they are protected and maintained and can continue to be a focal point of our landscape.” A spokesperson for Fingal County Council
Alan Farrell TD: “This grant was sought by Fingal County Council in order to resurface the pier at Loughshinny, and to remove stepped access and to upgrade recessed ladder access”
confirmed that earlier this year, the council applied to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for funding under the Fisheries and Coastal Infrastructure Development 2013 for local harbours. “Last year, we were pleased to receive grant funding for essential maintenance works for
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four harbours - Balbriggan, Loughshinny, Rush and Skerries – which enabled us to make very efficient use of a specialist engineer/contractors to work across all four harbours,” the spokesperson said. “Unfortunately, for 2013 we have only received grant funding for works at Loughshinny, the works include civil
engineering works on the harbour and removal of stepped access and upgrade of recessed ladder access.” The spokesperson confirmed that the council plans on continuing to apply for grant funding in future years to carry out essential harbour and public spaces maintenance works.
THE Balbriggan’s Got Talent open auditions will take place at the Bracken Court Hotel this Saturday, May 11. The competition is being organised by Balbriggan Summerfest, and if you’ve got what it takes, you will have the chance to perform in the Grand Final on Sunday, June 2. Entr y costs €2 to help towards the 2013 Balbriggan Summerfest which takes place from Friday, May 29 to Sunday, June 3. The organisers hope that the 2013 festival will be “the biggest and best that Balbriggan has ever seen”. Fore more information, log on to www. balbriggansummerfest. com.
8 swords gazette 9 May 2013
gazetteGALLERIES
Angela and Natalie Harvey. Pictures: Una Williams
a sweet deal: children enjoy some glamour at pavilion
A
S part of the Fashion Rules weekend in Swords Pavilions, Sweet Nails held a nail bar for under-12s. The event saw a number of pre-teens show up to have their nails done and join in the glamour of the weekend. The Fashion Rules weekend featured four fashion shows per day and was a great opportunity for fashionistas to get a look at the hottest trends for the summer.
Isabelle Pugh and Hannah Williams
Representing the Gazette was Andrea Rooney who was the eventual winner
Eabha McBride and Laura Devlin
Maia Gabbie
Sarah, Gillian, Tara and Anna Cowap Shauna Brennan, Greta Jakubynait and Corina Jecliu
9 May 2013 swords gazette 9
Have you seen yourself in the Gazette? Buy photos online from only €6.99 at www.gazettephotos.com
Sonya Dignam, Kimberley Behan and Philip Penns from TV show Tallafornia. Pictures: Una Williams
Clara Hilliard, Lauren Byrne and Lucy Brady
Paddy Fitzpatrick and Cormac Branagan from TV3’s Tallafornia
Carly Mahady and Jessica Powell
search: looking for miss bikini north-dublin
A teeny-weeny bit of fun in Rouge T
emperatures in Swords were high recently as Rouge Nightclub held the launch party for Miss Bikini North-Dublin. Special guests on the night were Cormac and Philly from TV3’s hit show Tallafornia. The search is on to find a representative who can
emulate the success of last years winnner, Niamh Aughney who went on to represent the county at the Miss Bikini Ireland final. This year the winner of the final, due to be held in Dublin in September, will travel to America to compete in the Swimsuit USA International.
Shauna Lyndon, Janine Moran and Clare Doherty
10 swords gazette 9 May 2013
gazetteGALLERY
Have you seen yourself in the Gazette? Buy photos online from only â‚Ź6.99 at www.gazettephotos.com
Michael and Jane Collins
Director Neil Jordan at the premiere of his latest film Byzantium in Dublin. Pictures: Patrick O’Leary
Sink your teeth into Byzantium premiere T
HE Gala Irish premiere of Byzantium was recently screened at the IFI in Dublin. Byzantium is directed by Neil Jordan, and stars Saoirse Ronan, Gemma Arterton, Jonny Lee Miller and Sam Riley. This gothic thriller was also shot on location in Ireland.
Juanita Wilson
The film is based on a play by Moira Buffini, A Vampire Story, and it tells a mysterious story of a mother and daughter with a dark secret who live in a coastal town. Byzantium will be released in cinemas nationwide from May 31.
Billy Thorne, Dashiel Jordan and Ben Donohoe
Natasha Rocca Devine
Lorraine Geoghegan and Gemma Doorly
Lauren Fee and Nicholas Marnitz
9 May 2013 Gazette 11
schools P14
dublinlife
Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week, as well as the latest from our schools
asdfsdaf featureP27 P15
Gazette
diary P12
recruiting: organisation adds 10 new locations
More teachers needed as summer camp expands This year, Let’s Go Summer Camps are taking on 120 additional teachers to work in their 12 camps dotted around Dublin. The camps will be set up in various locations throughout the capital including Sandyford, Rathfarnham, Foxrock, Knocklyon, Terenure, Castleknock, Malahide, Swords and others. Organisers of the exercise focused camps are
currently recruiting primary, secondary and PE teachers which will bring the total number of Let’s Go employees this summer to 280 to service an expansion plan which includes 10 new locations around Dublin. The camps, which operate during the months of July and August are aimed at children aged between five to 13 years and have been running nationwide
for 20 years. Their multi-activity programme offers a curriculum of events specially designed by physical education teachers. Let’s Go co-founder Eileen Sheehy said: “The camps are a great opportunity for teachers to gain experience and learn activities that they can take back to their schools after the summer.” The camps will run in Malahide and Portmar-
nock and Sandyford July 1–5, in Rathfarnham July 8–12, in Foxrock and Knocklyon July 15–19, in Terenure and Sutton July 22–26 and July 29– 2 and finally in Swords and Castlenock August 6–10. Primary, secondary and PE teachers who are motivated, energetic and have an interest in sports, are asked to visit www.letsgo.ie for more information.
The camps offer a curriculum of events specially designed by physical education teachers
Gazette
12 Gazette 9 May 2013
dublinlife
diary
Marvelling at an incredible virtual Iron Man experience Superheroes, fans of the Marvel universe and Gazette reporters were excited to become one of The Avengers at the Dundrum Town Centre last week when the Become Iron Man virtual reality booth arrived to coincide with the launch of Iron Man 3.
Speaking to Gazette Diary, chief technologist Jared Pepall from Marvel, who brought the experience to Ireland said: “The software was written for Disney/ Marvel especially for the movie and it’s so smooth, people think it’s a game. “The technology is
effectively a highlyadvanced version of the Kinect, and a much smoother experience. It renders amazingly and it’s stunning. “People’s reaction is amazing when the suit goes on. It’s a real experience once you get in there. It tracks your
entire body, and the software will map the suit to your exact measurements. Whatever you do, the suit will do on the screen in front of you.” Having been in the suit, we have to say: Be yourself. Unless you can be Iron Man. Always be Iron Man.
Catalogue to concentrate on energy costs Harvey Norman have launched a new Future Home catalogue which focuses on the benefits of smarter and more efficient home appliance technology. According to Harvey Norman, the home furniture retail giant, consumers are more aware of their energy costs than ever before. Homes are becoming smarter and more efficient with home appliance technology changing how we live, cook and entertain. Following the launch of the new catalogue, a spokesperson for the store said: “A common question that we are asked in store is ‘How much will this appliance cost me to run?’ “In light of this we came up with our Future Home concept, where we wanted to present a range of products that could save a household up to 40% on their energy bills.” The store hopes to advise customers about the money they can save with a new eco-friendly purchase. For more information, and catalogue details, see www.harveynorman.ie/ the-future-home.
Gazette reporter Paul Hosford (right) fulfills a lifetime dream as he prepares to transform into Ironman, courtesy of a Become Iron Man virtual reality booth at Dundrum Town Centre
sign up for the first FIT City Run series As thousands of runners lace up their shoes and take to the streets in preparation for a fast approaching summer, FIT Magazine, Ireland’s leading fitness magazine, is calling on all joggers, runners and walkers to sign up for the inaugural FIT City Run Series. The inaugural FIT Magazine event; FIT City Series is a 10k run which will take place in the Phoenix Park on Sunday May 12, with a prize fund of €3,000 up for grabs. Suitable for runners of all levels it is the ideal way to shape up this summer - or get some fitness practice before the larger events of the running season. With a special entry
fee of just €25, including booking fee, (normally €31.50) is being offered by entering the code cityseries2013. Visit www. fitmagazine.ie to register. The event will also benefit Athletics Ireland Fit4Youth programme which aims to foster an awareness of fitness and running among teenagers.
entries being sought for film festival Filmmakers from across Dublin are being called on to enter this year’s Stranger Than Fiction documentary film festival at the IFI. The festival, which was announced officially this week, will take place September 26 – 29 and is looking to include origi-
nal and exciting documentary films from Irish and international filmmakers. If your film fits the bill, now is that time to prepare your entries as submissions have opened with a deadline of 6pm, June 14. This year IFI Stranger Than Fiction plans once again to premiere some of the best documentaries from Ireland and around the world, following on from 2012’s successful festival which included Dublin premieres of The Imposter, 5 Broken Cameras, The Interrupters, One Mile Away and Detropia. Details of the 2013 programme will be announced and go on sale in early August 2013. For more details, see www.ifi.ie/stf.
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9 May 2013 Gazette 13
Gazette
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dublinlife
Get involved with our schools pages CALLING all students! We want all budding writers and photographers from all of our schools to help fill the pages and, in order to encourage the next generation of journalists and snappers to get involved, we are partnering with Harvey Norman to present the Dublin Gazette Newspapers’ Cub Reporter and Cub Photographer of the Year awards. For more details, contact rheigh@gazettegroup.com or telephone Rob Heigh at 01 601 0240.
schools
Helping students to deal with exam pressures
As always, English starts off the Leaving Cert this year on June 5 and by the end of the two weeks, culminating in the last exam, technology on June 21, 56,584 students nationwide will have sat the most important and therefore most pressurised of all State exams. Steve Gray, managing director of Dun L a o g h a i r e ’ s Tu t o r Experts, a grind service with an online facility, gave his top tips to The Gazette for Leaving Certificate students facing into the exams next month. “I could say to parents – take the fuse out your child’s Xbox, but I tried that myself with my own
son and he came home the same day announcing he’d learned how to fix a plug in physics. My advice to parents is: “Encourage the student to get some exercise breaks – important for stress relief. Watch out for consumption of sugary caffeinated drinks, they can cause mood swings and adversely affect concentration. “Ask your kids to make a list of priorities for the next month. If Facebook is in there, say “put it away until after the exams – you have all summer for that.” Steve also had some tips from his project maths team. “This advice is like finding gold as the projects maths is new and unfamiliar territory to teachers, parents and pupils. “On the new project maths exams there is a choice on some of the papers, so make sure to read the paper very carefully so you know which questions to do and so
On June 21, 56,584 students nationwide will have sat the most important of all State exams
you use your time efficiently. “It is hard to predict questions on the new exams, so while students might be faced with difficult / unfamiliar questioning, don’t panic. “The new course s t i l l aw a r d s m a r k s for attempts but also encourages students to work towards the
answer using any logical approach so make sure to give all your selected questions a try. “Also, most of the marks in a particular question are allocated for the first few parts of the question. “That is, by the time you get to the more complicated parts (d) or (e) at the end of the question,
you have already picked up most of the marks for that question, so while completing that last subsection will certainly pull up your grade, if you have got all the parts up to this correct, you have certainly already passed the question.” For more advice and tips go to www.tutorexperts.ie.
9 May 2013 Gazette 15
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16 Gazette 9 May 2013
dublinlife
feature
Owners urged to pick up after their dogs Local councils are coming together to promote the Green Dog Walkers programme that aims to change attitudes towards cleaning up after pets. The Green Dog Walkers programme was launched by South Dublin County Council mayor Cathal King (SF) in Sean Walsh Park, Tallaght, recently. He was joined by members of the DSPCA, The Kennel Club, council dog wardens and local resident dog owner Sharon Murphy. The programme is regional involving SDCC,
and the councils of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, Meath and Wicklow. It is a non-confrontational, friendly way to change attitudes about dog fouling in South Dublin County. Green Dog Walkers is a communitybased scheme that volunteers in the community can adopt in their own area and promote. The mayor welcomed the initiative and said he was “delighted” to officially launch the Green Dog Walkers programme in Sean Walsh. “Dog fouling is a very serious health issue.
Young children are particularly at risk. Dog owners should take responsibility for their dogs and make sure they clean up after the dog. “The Green Dog Walkers programme is a great way to raise awareness of the way to look after your dog. I look forward to meeting lots of green dog walkers in the county.” A spokesperson from Tallaght Hospital said: “We welcome the launch of the Green Dog Walking Initiative. We support the objective to improve our local environment by the responsible man-
agement of dog fouling by dog owners. We believe this initiative will help enhance the wellbeing of our community by reducing the risk of infection posed by dog fouling.” Tony Kavanagh from Rathfarnham Tidy Towns was also present at the launch and said: “Tidy Towns welcomes this programme as dog fouling is a real problem and a health risk.” Volunteers wear a Green Dog Walkers armband which signifies that they have “taken the pledge” to always: clean up after their dog,
Mayor of South Dublin County Council Cathal King at the launch
wear the armband or put the Green Dog Walkers collar on their dog when walking, carry extra dog waste bags, be happy to be approached to “lend” a dog waste bag to those without, be a friendly reminder to other dog walkers to clean up after their dogs.
The green arm band acts as a friendly reminder to pick up after your dog. All dog owners have to do is sign a pledge form which can be got through w w w.socialcredits.ie then a Green Dog Walker armband and a GDW bone dog
bag dispenser is posted out. If anyone is interested in rolling out the campaign in their local neighbourhood or would like some more information on the programme, then call 01 4149000 or email info@sdublincoco.ie or see www.socialcredits.ie
9 May 2013 Gazette 17
MUSIC P23
asdfsdaf MOTORS P27 P24
OUT&ABOUT Never be out of the loop on what’s happening in Dublin! Let Out&About be your guide to all that is stylish, cultural and essential across the city and beyond this week
Gazette
TRAVEl P22
Pets can you give lovely nala a new home?
Comedian Neil Delamere, who appears in his show at Draiocht this month
comedy: Neil Delamere on what he has learned since he left Offaly
More than a mere mortal Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
Although his nationwide tour is winding down, people still have the chance to see Neil Delamere’s new show, DelaMere Mortal in Draiocht this month. Neil spoke to The Gazette about how the tour went and all about the inspiration behind his current show. “My brother just said to me one day, ‘You know, you’ve lived as long in Dublin now as you have in Offaly” and this got me all introspective about which version of me, the first 16-year part or the last 16-year me was the best. So, I went back and found some footage of myself at 16 when I appeared on Blackboard Jungle
with Ray D’Arcy in 1995. “I created the show for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, so I performed it there first and although they could understand the idea of Blackboard Jungle, it was much more craic doing it in Ireland where everyone was familiar with the show. “I recreated the whole Blackboard Jungle show with my original team members, got Ray D’Arcy to host it and filmed it all again to see if we’d learned a small bit over the intervening time.” Neil recently appeared in two television documentaries, one on St Patrick and the other on the Vikings. “They were comedy documentaries with serious experts putting the facts
across and me doing sketches to deliver the material in bite-sized pieces so people could digest it better. “It was a probiotic of history really, Ninja history where people don’t even realise they’ve learned anything until afterwards. “It gave me the chance as well to get involved in something I was interested in and play with swords and ride chariots and things any 12-year-old boy would love to do.” He has also appeared on a number of TV shows in Britain, chief of which was Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, a platform that has launched many an Irish comic’s career in Britain. Yet Neil has no plans to leave our shores for the
bigger British market. “You have to live over there to crack Britain, or at least go over and do TV there every couple of weeks. You also need a combination of luck, talent and to be in the right place at the right time. The Panel here in Ireland was great for me and I do Edinburgh every year, which keeps me sharp because it’s the hardest comedy festival in the world. “At the moment, though, I’ve no plans to move to Britain because I have a nice life here and I have work here. But then again, who knows what will happen? Never say never.” DelaMere Mortal is on in Draiocht on May 23 and tickets, costing €20 are available at the Box Office on 01 885 2622.
The Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week is Nala, a two-year-old female boxer. Nala came into Dogs Trust pregnant, and had six beautiful pups. All Nala’s babies have found homes, so now it’s time for her to find hers. Nala loves her comfort and can’t wait to snuggle up on the couch for some wellearned TLC. She can be quite shy when meeting new people and other dogs, but once she gains your trust, she will love you forever. She needs a home with someone there during the day, and wouldn’t mind sharing the rubs and cuddles with another dog. Nala would be suitable for a family with older children. If you think you are that special person then please contact Dogs Trust on 01-879 1000. Map and directions can be found on their website www. dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/ dogstrustireland or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE.
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18 Gazette 9 May 2013
OUT&ABOUT
The very best of beauty makeovers in Dublin 15
Jules Fallon, First Option, presenting Sweet Jeans
Fashionista Sean Munsanje and U Magazine editor, Jen Stevens. Pictures: Paul Sherwood
U-Style delights ALL things style and beautiful filled Blanchardstown Centre recently when they hosted the U-Style event, in conjunction with U Magazine. The catwalk – which was filled with colour, floral, monochrome, holiday essentials and bold pieces – was the focal point for shoppers throughout the weekend. Shoppers were also treated to beauty and style masterclasses, and there was a range of discounts across many of the retail stores. Commenting on the event, Ciara Daley, marketing executive at Blanchardstown Centre, said: “U Style was a huge success, and a fabulous weekend of style, beauty and fun. “Our spring/summer catwalk shows showcased the wide range of fantastic brands available at Blanchardstown Centre, with eve-
rything a girl could possibly need in her wardrobe to keep her on trend this season. “All items featured in our shows are in store, and available to buy, now. “Over the weekend, we had great discounts from BT2, A/wear, Diesel, French Connection, MEXX, Debenhams, Boots and Specsavers, to name but a few. “There were some seriously stylish ladies over the weekend who walked away with some amazing spot prizes, and, of course, our Covergirl winner, Anastasia Perelighin [see inset]. “Anastasia won a €500 shopping spree in Blanchardstown Centre, a feature in U Magazine, an overnight stay plus dinner in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, a beauty hamper from Inglot, and a gift from McCabes Pharmacy.
Covergirl winner Anastasia Perelighin
“All that, plus complimentary beauty treatments! It was a great weekend all round. To check out all of our pics and videos, see www. facebook.com/blanchardstowncentre,” said Ciara. This week, Gazette Style is showing readers just some of the highlights from the weekend.
Competition winner Grace Murphy
Well done ... Jen Stevens, the
9 May 2013 GAZETTE 19
GAZETTE
STYLE
Catwalk styles Nora Casey and Anita Whyte
The models showcased a wide range of fresh styles and colourful summer outfits from Blanchardstown Centre’s stores
for all
editor (second left) of U Magazine, with competition winners
Bright colours and bold designs helped set the tone for some of this summer’s hot new styles
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20 Gazette 9 May 2013
OUT&ABOUT
CINEMA
Theatre
THE pavilioN THEATRE 01 231 2929 Liam O’Maonlai
LIAM O’Maonlai is one of Ireland’s best-loved musicians and singers, both in rock and traditional music. Bono once described Liam as “The best white boy soul singer in the world” and he has been also been described as one of Ireland’s best sean nos singers. May 11, tickets €20/€18.
Draiocht 01 885 2622 The Great Gatsby
THIS is a classic fable – of America, of the breathtaking glamour and decadent excess of the Jazz Age, of enchantment and illusions, of a world where love and dreams are pursued and betrayed. Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, passionately pursues the elusive Daisy Buchanan. May 10 and 11, tickets €16/€14.
Mill THEATRE Dundrum 01 296 9340 The Odd Couple
Classic comedy opens as a group of guys assemble for cards in the apartment of Oscar Madison. If the mess is any indication, it is no wonder his wife left him. Late to arrive is Felix Ungar, fastidious, depressed and none too tense. Another Taney Drama Society production very deftly directed by Niall Jordan. From May 22-25 tickets €15/€12.
Dominic Purcell and Colin Farrell try to out do each other in the poorly-dressed stakes
review: Colin Farrell has been wronged and he’s out for revenge
Going down hard C OL I N FA R R E L L has had an interesting career. Early om, it seemed that the Castleknock bad-boy would spend his career shackled with the label Castleknock bad-boy. As well known at the outset for who he was sleeping with as his actual job, Farrell has nonetheless proven to be head and shoulders above many of his peers in terms of sheer talent. From his blistering Holly wood debut in Tigerland, Farrell has turned in an impressive slate of performances. Minority Report, Phone Booth, The New World and In Bruges spring to mind, with his turn in Irish ensemble classic Intermission a personal favourite. With Dead Man Down, Farrell begins the first of four 2013 releases and, on a personal level, the
Film of the Week: Dead Man Down h h h (12) 130 mins Director: Niels Arden Oplev Starring: Colin Farrell, Noomi Rapace, Dominic Cooper, Terrence Howard
Paul hosford
Dublin 15 native sets the bar pretty high. Here, Farrell plays Victor, an efficiently brutal gangland enforcer who has infiltrated the gang of demented crime-lord Alphonse (played with delirious glee by the always-excellent Terence Howard). We as the audience, of course, know that Victor’s motivations have less to do with his love of the criminal lifestyle than they do with gaining revenge for the deaths of his family at the hands of Alphonse’s thugs some years before. This being the first English-language work
OUR VERDICT:
WHEN it is good, it is very, very good. When it’s bad it is just plain confusing. The overly complex script hampers what could have been a top-quality revenge thriller. It features some excellent performances, an assured visual hand and a gratifying burst of violence in the denouement. It’s just a shame that it doesn’t really know what it’s about.
of Niels Arden Oplev, the director of the original Girl With The Dragon Tattoo trilogy, violence is often not too far away and every character has an abundance of shades of grey. The arrival on the scene of Oplev’s Lisbeth Salander, Noomi Rapace, sparks the film to life as her Beatrice draws Victor into a revenge plot of her own, casting a pall over Victor’s own plans. It’s here that the film slightly loses the run of itself as the script becomes more and more complex, with all
of the lead characters wrestling with moral dilemmas. In truth, it feels like a modern day version of The Long Good Friday, with Howard’s Alphonse acting as a stand in for Bob Hoskins. Strangely, the presence of Rapace holds the film back somewhat. In her best Englishspeaking role yet, she delivers a solid performance, but the film’s tonal similarities with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy mean that all the while she is on screen, you’re expecting her to
be meaner, to show the demented streak of Lisbeth. It is akin to casting Sylvester Stallone as a boxing agent. Sure, he could do it, but all the audience will see is Rocky. It makes you wonder how good the film could have been had Rapace and Farrell’s characters switched places. That’s not to take away from Farrell’s performance, which is indeed a fine one. He handles this kind of silent fury brilliantly and has seemingly found his comfort zone in mid-budget films, burned by the one-two of Alexander and Miami Vice. Overall, the film is a decent calling card for Oplev and Rapace and a piece of excellent work from Farrell, Howard and the under rated Dominic Purcell.
9 May 2013 Gazette 21
preview: a summary about new tech just around the corner
Look out for the Google Glass(es)
I’M SO old, I remember the very first compact disc I ever saw, way back in 1980-cough-something. My peers and I couldn’t have known then just how ubiquitous the CD would become, let alone h ow c o m p a r a t i ve l y quickly the format would become almost obsolete, as the music world moved on to valuable yet (arguably) intangible virtual products, such as MP3s. The reason why I’m freewheelin’ down Memory Lane like Grampa Simpson, is because we’re on the cusp of seeing another potential giant step forward in consumer technology, via Google Glass , which is likely to create a long-lasting memory, once sighted. Well, perhaps. Tech watchers are hedging our/their bets a little at the moment, as Google Glass could indeed turn out to be the vanguard of
Class action lawsuit based on game’s finished quality
look at first glance like a snazzy pair of glassses – perfect to saunter around
sdillon@gazettegroup.com
a bold new move in the convergence of technologies, and could soon be as comparatively commonplace all over the world. Then again, that’s what soothsayers said about 3D televisions, too, and we all know how well they’re doing. (Just about as well as Remington typewriters, by all accounts.) So. Google Glass. What is it, and why mention it now, when only a few exist? First things first. Continuing Google’s interesting progress as a company driving some innovative ideas forward, “Glass” is the company’s attempt to create a new product – and for many,
BYTES&PIECES
aliens taken to court in california
This model shows one of the current Google Glass models (close-up, below), which shane dillon
Gazette
GAMING
Manhattan with, as she’s doing – yet, at second glance, reveal a tiny camera and slight lens overlay; with which to film and record data, or to watch and receive it
augmented glasses that also function as a wearable computer seems like a natural fit. Pun intended. Glass has a tiny camera that’s capable of taking photos as well as HD recording. as well as boasting data projection capabilities, courtesy of a discreet projector unit in front of one lens. In other words, what feels like, in effect, a little monitor in front of the user can display information as needed. Using specific commands, users can also take photos, start filming, call up certain types of data, and perform a number of other applications.
EARLYGLASSCONCERNS potential pitfalls for google glass
Tech isn’t even out yet, but already some concerns are emerging WITHOUT wishing to go all Chicken Licken and start running around like a headless chi– well, you know, a number of concerns have already emerged about Google Glass, primarily focused on security and data privacy. For example, some analysts have questioned whether people’s privacy will be invaded, should Google Glass wearers record data without their knowledge, while others have questioned how susceptible Glass may be to hacking, or malicious spyware – as cool as the tech seems, its appeal would take a blow if there was, say, any issue of someone hacking into your Glass to, say, watch your bank PIN number being entered. Of course, without Glass being widespread – or even properly, publicly available, just yet – any such concerns or problems have yet to be seen ...
It’s an interesting move by the technology and data giant, as many companies have been tinkering with mobile, wearable computing for many years, but with no appreciable success, bar limited, simple sportsrelated tech. However, if Glass takes off as expected, the tech could become a highprestige product all over the world, with Glass’s abilities adapting and developing as time goes by, and other technologies develop. For example, who’s to say that the tech driving Glass couldn’t be adapted in time to suit, say, presciption or contact lenses, specific industry needs, medical procedures, and so on? But first, we have to
look at how well Glass per forms. (Yes, yes, another pun.) Right now, a limited number of Glass units are out in the field, undergoing extensive testing, as Google works to both work out early kinks and establish any issues to resolve, and raise awareness – certainly, it doesn’t need to raise interest, as a great deal of global attention is already focused on the glasses. While initial price points suggest the $1,500 (€1,150) mark, consumer prices (possibly for slightly stripped-back versions) are certain to be lower, but all has yet to be fully revealed by the company. So – last pun, I promise – make sure to look out for Google Glass, soon ...
WHILE lawsuits and legal problems are common enough within the gaming industry, as people fall out, deals fall through, or contracts are snapped over a knee like kindling, it’s rare enough for anyone in the industry to be sued by ordinary gamers. This being so, the news that Aliens: Colonial Marines developer Gearbox Software and publisher Sega are facing a class action lawsuit has sparked widespread coverage across the media, with everyone from Forbes to Eurogamer picking up the story. A lawsuit is under way in California, filed on behalf of gamers who bought the widely-criticised game, which saw a number of articles focusing on its graphics. The class action lawsuit claims that gamers may have been misled by pre-release footage of the game that wasn’t matched by the game’s graphics in the final version, thus misleading them into buying the game. Although pre-release footage is generally a work in progress, and not a guarantee of final quality, it’s still an interesting case to watch, as gamers regularly see adverts for games showing graphics, or footage, that bear no resemblance to the actual game (albeit generally presented with a caveat of “Not actual gameplay footage”, or somesuch, buried in tiny writing somewhere on the screen). Regardless of the case succeeding or failing at the court, it could see those responsible for game advertising pause a little, and consider using more specific, actual footage of the finished title – less glossy cinematics, and more gritty, actual footage, which is certainly something that would be welcome.
space out your gameplay
Test your captaincy skills with Star Command WITH the next Star Trek film almost upon us, and the (somewhat underwhelming) tie-in Star Trek game just released, this seems like the perfect time to mention Star Command. Available for €2.69 for your IOS gadgets, Star Command very much has that Star Trek vibe as you captain your own starship, boldly go about the universe, meet aliens, put together a great crew – And then watch everything fall apart, as your best-laid plans for starship management, crew rostering, damage control and alien diplomacy get sucked out the nearest airlock when the nearest bad-tempered aliens attack. Presented with charming pixel graphics, the real-time sim-slash-space ’em up has had a colourful and extended development period on Kickstarter, but the final product was worth it, as Star Command has plenty of character that compensates for its slightly niggly controls.
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22 Gazette 9 May 2013
OUT&ABOUT
TRAVEL
fast
TRAVEL Wing it to a beautiful Turkey spa and resort natalie burke
THE new Palm Wings Beach Resort and Spa in Kusadasi, Turkey, is opening its doors for the very first time this month, offering its inaugural holidaymakers seven-night all-inclusive breaks from only €559 per person. Located on Paradise beach, the hotel is just 80m away from the water’s edge, and is situated just minutes from a range of nearby cafes, markets bars and restaurants. Ideal for families and couples alike, the hotel offers an all-inclusive plus service, 24 hours a day. Travel on May 19 and stay at the four-star Palm Wings Beach Resort and Spa for seven nights on an all-inclusive plus basis from €559.
Price The price includes return flights from Dublin, seven nights’ accommodation as stated, return airport transfers and taxes. Prices are per person and are based on two people sharing. An extra €3 government tax is required per person, and terms and conditions apply. For further information, see www.wingsabroad.ie, or telephone 01 871 9444.
With so much variety and choice in Ibiza, from beach types to nightclubs, it’s no wonder that so many young Irish are happy to holiday there
club 18-30: europe’s party and music capital awaits young irish visitors
Club together and visit Ibiza natalie burke
THE recession has affected us all in one way or another, but it seems that there has been no letup in recent years in the numbers of young people flocking to the sun from Ireland. Club 18-30 is gearing up for a similar wave this year and, for anyone hoping to let off some steam with a sun holiday combined with the very best in music and partying, May 31 appears to be the date to keep in mind. It’s the day that Club 18-30 officially opens its summer parties, and starts the summer season with a particular focus on music and party mecca, Ibiza. The number of Irish partygoers hitting their sunspots has continued to grow recently and, with the opening parties bringing events such as an open water party at Es
Paradis, and Jake Bugg performing at the Ibiza Rocks hotel, you can see why. There’s a lot more going on in various music venues such as Amnesia, DC10, Eden, Pacha and Space, which help to give the popular island its well-deserved standing as Europe’s party capital. If nightclubs aren’t your thing, you can choose instead from sunset cruises, foam parties and silent Sundays, or Full Moon celebrations and poolside parties. There’s a huge amount of entertainment, as well as a great variety of water-based activities to enjoy, and the best part is that it all takes place in the beautiful settings of Ibiza, surrounded by temperatures floating around 25C. Even when the sun goes down, you can chill out by the shores of the bay of Calo des Moro in
San Antonio, to the backdrop of the ambient and eclectic sounds of local DJs. However, the rush to the sun doesn’t have to take you just to Ibiza, since Club 18-30 also offers a range of sun holiday packages to other popular destinations, including their brand-new destination in Tenerife. As the most popular of the Canary Islands, Tenerife boasts the best in nightlife, having hosted DJs such as Tiesto and Judge Jules in the past. And, during the day, the island has a huge range of beaches to bathe on and water sports to try. Siam Park, Europe’s most spectacular water park with its 28m Tower of Power vertical drop, is also a must-see for holiday-goers. Two-sharing at the Parque Cattleya can enjoy a seven-night getaway from just €529 per
Relax with some chilled-out beats at San Antonio, in Ibiza
person – with the additional option of going all-inclusive with meals, local drinks and cocktails and various activities included. Club 18-30 Ireland is offering seven nights’ accomodation in the three-star Four Seasons in Crete on a self-catering basis, from €395 per person, departing from Dublin on June 7. The price includes return flights from Dub-
lin, and all transfers. There are also options for all-inclusive packages, with meals and drinks included for most Club 18-30 destinations, as well as special group deals. Since music is always at the core of the Club 18-30 holiday, this year, party lovers need only look to the new Club Life hotels for endless beach BBQs, poolside DJs and pool parties that are exclusive to guests.
Examples include the Laura S’Atalaya in Ibiza, from €415PP; the Paloma Studios in Cyprus, from €589; and the Quayside Village, in Corfu, from €495PPS. Prices are for seven nights, flights departing from Dublin. For further details on prices, packages and destinations, call Club 18-30 in Dublin at 01 514 0318, or see www.facebook. com/club1830Ireland.
9 May 2013 SWORDS gazette 23
Gazette
MUSIC FASTtunes with Radio Nova’s Dee Woods
New line on the horizon as U2 loom into view Kevin Rowland, Pete Williams and sax and keys man Sean Read express themselves onstage at the Olympia last week
concert review: a triumphant return to ireland for dexys
Soaring soul music OnE of the greatest misconceptions the world ever experienced is that Dexys are a onetrick pony. The infamy that came from “that song” has led to a generation thinking that the raggle-taggle, dungaree-donning 1982 vintage of the Midnight Runners is all they ever were. However, DMR, or simply Dexys as they are now, have forever been one of the most inspired and inspiring acts on the planet. They are purveyors of soul, in its purest and most emotional sense. This fundamental truth was borne out last week on the stage of the Olympia when Kevin Rowland and his trou-
ROB heigh rheigh@gazettegroup.com
badors returned to Ireland for their first headlining show since 2003. That night in Vicar Street marked a hugely welcome return to the stage for Rowland after far too long off the radar, and led, eventually, to the release of last year’s One Day I’m Going To Soar, Dexys first record since 1985’s classic Don’t Stand Me Down. It is last year’s album t h e s h ow i s b a s e d around, and all of the
drama and theatricality of the record plays out live, with a stunningly faithful recreation, played in its entirety and in sequence. The core band — vocalists Rowland and Pete Williams, together with Dexys legend “Big Jimmy” Paterson — along with Lucy Morgan on violin, Tim Cansfield, Sean Read, Dave Ruffy, Andy Hobson and Mike Timothy nail every nuance throughout Act 1 of a memorable night. It is a theatrical event like no other rock show, a drama with vocalist Madeleine Hyland cast as Kevin’s romantic muse, and he does what he has throughout his career in music, asking questions of himself and
challenging the band and audience to come along. It’s a challenge well wor th accepting, as Dexys deliver an deeply emotional blend of vocals, brass and keys reminiscent of the Northern Soul greats who inf luenced the band since their inception, with the Celtic presence of Morgan’s violin adding another level to the uniqueness of the sound. One Day... was a masterpiece on record, it is a Van Gogh live. The standing ovation that heralded the end of the One Day... section was utterly deserved, and kept on coming as the band delved into their back catalogue,
opening with The Waltz from Don’t Stand Me Down. The eternal Officer And A Gentleman skit bookended Until I Believe In My Soul and Tell Me When My Light Turns Green, and the band again shone while per forming a latin-tinged version of Geno, a meltingly beautiful and faithful version of Old, before closing on an epic rendition of This Is What She’s Like, which saw Kevin take to the Olympia’s box seats to help the audience acclaim the players as he introduced the band. All this and no Come On Eileen, despite the baying of the balcony. Long may they run.
Happy Birthday, Bono! The Dublin rocker is ringing in his 53rd year with the news the planned U2 Tower in the city’s Docklands will not be constructed, but what is building is fans’ hopes ahead of U2’s next album. The working title for U2’s thirteenth studio album is 10 Reasons To Exist, and with the band in their 37th year together, it’s clear that making music is their raison d’etre. However as a die-hard U2 fan, I’m always a little nervous ahead of a new album release. U2 are a band that have always maintained that their success is down to experimenting with different sounds and constant reinvention to keep their music alive, saying no album is released until they are good and ready. Their last record No Line On The Horizon, from 2009, had a Moroccan influence and contained solid singles like Magnificent and I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight. However, sales were disappointing and only five million copies shifted worldwide. The good news on the horizon for Bono and Co was the world tour that followed. U2 360° became the highest grossing tour in history, proving the quartet most certainly have still “got it”. So what will their thirteenth album sound like? Word has it U2 have been working with producers will.i.am (of the Black Eyed Peas) and Danger Mouse, indicating they could be going uber-contemporary with their next record. And if you’re to believe internet rumours, some of the album has already been leaked online. In the last few months they’ve been recording here in Dublin as well as New York and the south of France, and the album is due out in September. Will it be lucky 13 for the Dublin fab four? I’ll be buying it regardless. Dee Woods presents Nova Nights on Radio Nova Mon-Fri 7pm-12am & Sundays 12-2pm. Follow her on Twitter @radeeoh
Gazette
24 swords gazette 9 May 2013
OUT&ABOUT
MOTORS
audi: new S3 hatchback arrives
An impressive performer n Cormac Curtis
Audi Ireland is delighted to announce the arrival of the Audi S3 hatchback, which is now available to order from Audi dealerships nationwide. Orna Conway, general manager of product and marketing, Audi Ireland, commented: “The all-new Audi S3 has it all and we are hugely excited about its arrival to the Irish market. Sporty, elegant and powerful, this new model
epitomises the Audi brand and brings stylish design and world class engineering together with leading edge performance.” T he S3 delivers impressive per formance. The sprint from zero to 100kph is completed in 5.1 seconds when equipped with the S-Tronic transmission (5.4 seconds with the manual transmission), and top speed is electronically governed at 250kph. Combined
fuel economy stands at 6.9l/100km (manual 7.0l/100km). This corresponds to CO2 emissions of 159g/km (162g/km in the manual version). The S3 is equipped as standard with a manual six-speed transmission with a lightweight magnesium case. The optional S tronic transmission boasts high efficiency and a tall sixth gear. The lower gears are short in the interest of dynamics, as is also the
The Audi S3 hatchback is now available to order from Audi dealerships nationwide
case with the manual transmission. Another innovation in the Audi S3 is progressive steering. The steering rack is geared in such a way that the ratio varies. It is somewhat more indirect around the centre and very direct when steered sharply. For the driver, the result is a pleasantly smooth character when
driving straight ahead and fittingly rapid response in tight corners. The three-door body of the S3 is also very stiff, crash-safe and quiet. A noise-insulating windscreen is standard. The coefficient of drag is just 0.33. Audi has designed a variety of infotainment elements for using the
new services, topped by MMI navigation plus with MMI touch. The high-end system boasts a super-flat, power-retractable, seven-inch monitor and a new operating concept in which MMI touch is integrated into the rotary pushbutton. The Audi Phone Box connects mobile phones to the vehicle in a conven-
ient way, and the sound system from Bang & Olufsen offers pure hi-fi enjoyment, with LED light guides accentuating the woofers in the doors. The assistance systems in the S3 come directly from the full-size class. The Audi S3 is open for Irish order now. Its price is €45,260 OTR for the manual version.
9 May 2013 SWORDS GAZETTE 25
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Irish Olympian discusses basketball way back when SEE PAGE 15 JULY 26, 2012
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INSIDE: Novelist has last word on The Other Woman P8-9
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contestants set to do battle See Page 7
Wright place, right time: Beauty chases World crown Fingal 10k:
O’Doherty wins as thousands run Swords race Page 30
THE WRIGHT Venue was the perfect place for friends and family of Miss Wright Venue, Rebecca Maguire, to give her a big send-off as she got ready to take on the world and hopefully bring home the Miss World crown. Rebecca arrived in China on July 18 for a month of filming, training and rehearsals, with the final taking place on August 18. Picture: Una Williams
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€2.5m investment for social housing Funds to benefit elderly, homeless and disabled
� NATALIE BURKE
THERE was good news for Fingal this week with the announcement that over €2.5m will be invested in Fingal’s social housing scheme over the next two-and-a-half years. The news was confirmed
earlier this week by the Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O’Sullivan, who said the funding of €2,534,302 will provide new social housing units, as well as providing homes for people with special housing needs, such as the elderly, the homeless and the disabled. The funding was welcomed
by Deputy Brendan Ryan (Lab), who said the provision of units for people with special housing requirements has been an important issue over recent months. “This funding announcement will provide local families and individuals with certainty.” Full Story on Page 5
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9 May 2013 SWORDS Gazette 27
legends P28
gaelic games P27 P31 asdfsdaf
dublinsport Let the Gazette keep you up to date with all the best local sporting action from around the city as we cover all the stories that matter to you and your community
Gazette
david treacy P29
FastSport Simmons calls on cricketers to shine:
Sport fans are set to get a kick out of footee, a blend of golf and soccer, which has found a home at Ballinascorney
sport mash-up: A new blend of the world’s favourite games comes to dublin
Fore! Fore! Two! – golf and soccer come together Have you ever dreamed of being Lionel Messi and Rory McIlroy – at the same time? That might just become a reality after Footee Ireland launched their new sporting venture at the old Dublin City Golf Club, Ballinascorney, last weekend. Footee is a game that blends two of the world’s best and most popular sports – football and golf – which is described as “a competitive, skilful and addictive sports game that mixes the passion and strength of football with
the elegance and tradition of golf”. Footee is played on a 12-hole golf course by teams or individuals but instead of swinging golf clubs and hitting golf balls, players kick footballs. The game rules are identical to golf – each hole carries a par (3, 4 and 5) and the aim is to get the football into a (bigger) hole in as few shots as possible. The scores from each hole are accumulative and the player with the lowest score at the end of the round wins. The usual golfing lingo applies: bogeys,
birdies and eagles, with the exception of a hole in one which is now called a “goal in one” Footee is the brainchild of Ronan Cunningham who had been toying with the idea for a few months last year before applying to study for a Postgraduate Certificate in Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Enterprise at University College Dublin last September. While there he met David Campbell and together they collaborated and developed the idea to bring footee to
Ireland as part of a course project in early 2013. They completed the course at the start of April and footee is now the culmination of that hard work and everything they have learned about developing business ideas and bringing them to market. Footee will be announcing details of a series of League and Cup competitions that will take place throughout the summer. For more information, contact Ronan Cunningham on info@footee. ie or see www.footee.ie
Ireland’s head cricketing coach Phil Simmons has challenged every player in Ireland to use the RSA inter-provincial series as a route into the international team when the revamped tournament gets under way. Speaking at the series launch at College Park, Simmons said: “This is the perfect platform for all cricketers, young and old, to show the selectors exactly what they are capable of. “We’re looking for qualities and technique that prove that guys have what it takes to perform at a higher level and in the international arena.” Further details on fixtures in the RSA Inter-Provincial Series can be found at www.cricketireland.ie
c o n ta c t s Sports Editor: Rob Heigh rheigh@gazettegroup.com
For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@gazettegroup.com Phone: 01 651 6205
Gazette
28 SWORDS Gazette 9 May 2013
SPORT
FastSport
Call to cycle for NBCRI this year in Race The Ras Excitement is building across the country with the news that a host of amateur cyclists and GAA stars past and present are lining up to cycle across Ireland from May 19 to 26. This is for the third Race The Ras, a charity cycle in aid of The National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI). Declan Darcy, ex-Leitrim and current Dublin inter-county footballer selector who is taking part in the cycle, is asking for former GAA players and residents to take part in the charity initiative. “We need as many people as possible to take part in the race as we want to build on last year’s success and reach our target of raising over €250,000.” Race the Ras began in 2011 to raise much needed funds for charity by allowing sponsored amateur cyclists to ride the same route of the Ras, on the same day as the Ras itself, except the amateurs start a few hours ahead of the pro’s. To register for the cycle, log on to racetheras. com/event-registration. With eight stages to choose from, cyclists can opt to do all eight stages, a single stage or opt for a combination of two or three stages. If you wish to simply donate, you can do so by visiting www.racetheras.com/donate. Pictured at the launch of the 2013 Race the Ras Charity Cycle at Croke Park recently were Micheal O Muircheartagh, Mayo footballer Jason Doherty, Dublin ladies football vice captain Sinead Finnegan, Donegal footballer Mark McHugh, Ireland International Rules manager Paul Earley and former Dublin footballer Paul Clarke.
soccer: legends of the game come to support charity
Local stars take on United sport@gazettegroup.com
A Manchester United Legends XI came to Dublin recently and did not disappoint the huge crowd who came out to support Diabetes Ireland when the legends played a Rosemount XI at Stradbrook recently. A crowd of over 2,000 people enjoyed the match in bright sunshine, and the game lit up the crowd, keeping all the spectators entertained. United had brought a
strong side with them, captained by Br yan Robson, who was flanked by the likes of Ray Wilkins, Day May and Frank Stapleton, to name but a few. The match was organised by Tony Browne and Willie Simpson to raise vital funds for Diabetes Ireland, a cause close to Tony, as four of his children are diabetic. G i ve n W i l l i e a n d Tony’s recent involvement with Rosemount, it seemed ideal to pro-
The Rosemount Legends squad before the match
Action from Stradbrook and the match between Rosemount Legends and Manchester United Legends
pose they pull together local legends from the 70s, 80s and 90s to compete against the Manchester United stars. Managed by Tommy Hogan, the Rosemount team incorporated junior internationals, league representatives and many league and cup winners from successful sides from down the years.
They arrived at TEK’s grounds in fine spirits and set about trying to topple the United Giants. Captained by David Daly, Rosemount dominated the early exchanges and scored first through Alan Bennett, af ter a couple of chances fell to his brother, John, and the other Rosemount striker, Stephen Doyle. Philly Gray was quiet in the Rosemount goal, b u t w h e n a s ke d t o spring into the action did so with ease. Eddie Donegan spurned a great chance to double the host’s lead but, when the goal finally came, it was worth the wait with man of the match Daniel Murphy volleying home from 14 yards to give the underdogs a 2-0 lead going in
at the break. United were a different side in the second half, with Robson and Andy Ritchie becoming more influential as the game wore on. Robson scored first, a downward header at the back post to put United back into the game. T he equaliser was contentious, but Ritchie made no mistake and slotted home from inside the box to level the game. The game continued to ebb and f low and chances at either end went untaken and the sides played out a good spirited 2-2 draw. The game was followed by a gala dinner at the Royal Marine Hotel, where an auction took place to raise funds.
9 May 2013 SWORDS Gazette 29
Gazette
Minor star on the jump to major level Cuala player David Treacy is one of Dublin senior hurling’s tyros, and he spoke last week about how his experience at Minor level has made him the player he is today Daragh O ConchUir
sport@gazettegroup.com
Former Leinster minor medal winner and current senior inter-county star David Treacy was on hand last week to help to support the 2013 Electric Ireland GAA Minor Championships, and to offer his insight into the experience of playing at minor level, and how it has influenced his career in the sport. T here were heav y defeats and groundbreaking victories but it is the long-lasting bonds created that David Treacy recalls most warmly from his two years as a Dublin minor hurler. “It’s one of the fondest memories I have,” he declares enthusiastically. “There’s nothing else you’d [rather] be doing. “At that age, there is
so much going on with your Leaving Cert and everything. I have plenty of friends just because of that year. It’s the best two years of your GAA life nearly because of the amount of friendships that you make. It was a brilliant experience.” Treacy played at minor level in 2006 and 2007, and had completely contrasting experiences. In the first year, a Richie Hogan-inspired Kilkenny laid waste to the dreams of a Dublin unit looking to emulate their immediate predecessors, who had annexed a Leinster title for the first time in 22 years. “They beat us off the park but it was a brilliant experience. We were nearly starstruck playing against lads that we had been hearing word of growing up.” It was very different in
2007 though, by which stage, people were talking about the gifted Treacy. The Dubs accounted for Wexford before gaining sweet revenge against Kilkenny in the Leinster final. “We had never beaten them as a group all the way so it was brilliant. We didn’t really know what to expect. We were confident but we lost every single game from Tony Forrestal up to then. I don’t know what happened that day. Everything just clicked. “I can still remember the final whistle going and it was surreal. I remember Barry O’Rorke’s speech on the steps of the Hogan. He did the whole thing as Gaeilge as he’s a gaelgeoir himself. I nearly remember all the pieces of it. The 21s are a transition up to senior but I think minor is a very unique competi-
Leinster minor medal winner David Treacy with Kevin Foley from Wexfordat the announcement of the Electric Ireland initiative
tion.” The apparently inevitable development of Treacy as one of hurling’s true stars has been stalled by injury but he is on the way back and hoping to have a significant impact on the summer. “I’ve been unlucky after the cruciate, in that I had
“Even if you look at the past couple of years, they’ve been in All-Ireland finals in football and hurling. It’s so important to get it right at underage level and it will translate onto the senior team. “The coaches we had at minor were fantastic – Joe Fortune, Eimear Duignan
--------------------------------------------------------
‘It was a life lesson for me when I played minor, a brilliant life experience’ - David Treacy
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a hamstring problem. but that’s all cleared up now and my fitness levels are getting somewhere close to where they used to be. I’m really looking forward to playing Wexford on June 8. “As far as the league went, we were delighted. The aim at the start of the year was to get back to top-flight hurling and we did that. Obviously it was disappointing against Tipp (in the semi-final) but now we’ve got a nice break to go back to the basics and concentrate on Wexford. We can’t wait for it.” The number of senior panellists that came through the Dublin minor teams of 2005-7 is doublefigured, and when you add the most recent graduates to another period of success (the Sky Blues will be going for a Leinster three-in-a-row this term), it is clear that the county has recognised the value of the grade.
and Dwayne Walsh. They were absolutely brilliant. I wouldn’t have been a very confident player growing up and they brought the best out of me. “It’s an awkward stage for young lads, trying to find themselves let alone trying to find a position on the team, so I think it’s very important for the management to get it right and we were fortunate enough to have a management that brought the best out of us. “It was a life lesson for me when I played minor, a brilliant life experience.” Electric Ireland, sponsors of the GAA Minor championships, are giving one lucky child (aged five to 11) from Leinster the opportunity to be the official ball carrier at the Leinster Minor championship provincial finals. To enter, see www.facebook/electricireland
FastSport
A super summer of FAI soccer schools arrives for students of the game Republic of Ireland goalkeeper David Forde and the Irish women’s Number 10, Denise O’Sullivan, were on hand last week to help to launch the 2013 eFlow FAI Summer Soccer Schools programme. This year’s camps are priced at €65 (€55 for second children) and come with the same high standards of coaching and care delivered by Garda vetted FAI-qualified coaches, as well as full kit, a ball and school bag for all participants. The camps will be held in 290 venues nationwide, and are open to boys and girls of all abilities from the ages of six to 14. Beginning on July 1, and running through to August 23, each week-long school is run by FAI development officers and delivered by Garda vetted FAI qualified coaches in a safe and professional environment. Early online bookers will receive up to €45 worth of parent and child tickets for the senior international matches in Aviva Stadium against Georgia, the Faroe Islands or Kazakhstan, making the real cost of the camps as low as just €20 per child. Along with mainstream camps, specialised goalkeeping camps have also been discounted this year to €50. FAI chief executive John Delaney said: “Our summer soccer schools are a great way of getting children out of the house and into the fresh air to enjoy themselves. I would like to thank eFlow for their sponsorship of this wonderful programme. “96% of parents rated the enjoyment level for their kids as ‘good’ to ‘excellent’ last year and we hope that with this year’s added discounts, more parents will be encouraged to send their children this summer.” With some camps already booked to 50%, parents are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment. Match tickets are available on a limited first-come-first-served basis. Further information can be found at www. summersoccerschools.ie, or by calling 1890 653 653.
Gazette
30 SWORDS gazette 9 May 2013
SPORT
FastSport
soccer: swords secure crown after top-of-table clash
Ashe achieve place in championship semis THE UNDER-16 Thomas Ashe footballers have reached the semi-final of the Dublin C championship after victory against St Peter’s of the Naul/Ballyboughal. In a close encounter throughout, Thomas Ashe remained a point or two behind St Peter’s for most of the first half and were down by a single point at half time. However, they started well in the second half and finally got a foothold on the game. The last 10 minutes of the game were intense and Thomas Ashe had fought back to establish a narrow three-point lead. In the dying minutes, Shane Tynan played the ball to Carl Duffy who struck the ball into the back of the net.
Holywell celebrate after St Finian’s sponsor new kit St Finian’s GAA club presented a new set of sponsored jerseys to the boys and girls of Scoil Tobair Naofa in Holywell last week as part of their ongoing support and promotion of Gaelic Games in the local community. At the presentation of the new kit were boys and girls from the school as well as teacher and coach Mark Lawless, St Finian’s club secretary Frank Egan, vice-chairperson Grace Murray and school principal Maria Boyne.
Swords Celtic claimed the LSL Sunday Major league title after their victory over Dublin University secured the crown last weekend
Celtic are league champs lsl sunday major Swords Celtic Dublin University sport@gazettegroup.com
3 1
SWORDS Celtic are the LSL Sunday Major league champions after a 3-1 win over second place Dublin University on Sunday afternoon. With league promotion already secured in last week’s 3-1 victory over Maynooth Town, Swords went into the game knowing a win or a draw would give them an unobtainable lead at the top of the table. Their opposition, just one spot below them in
the league table knowing only a win would keep their title hopes alive for another week. Playing conditions could only be described as perfect and with all to play for both sides, the game promised to be a thrilling encounter. The home side started brightest and were in front five minutes into the first half. Barry Caulfield slotted home after he chased down a long ball which he was able to take under control and slot into an empty net after Dublin University keeper Colin Power misjudged the
cycling to skerries Final stage of Ras to end in local town again skerries is set to host the final stage of
the 2013 An Post Ras when this year’s race comes to its conclusion on Sunday, May 26. The local town will see the yellow jersey wearer crowned race winner after what will be eight days of intense competition on the roads of Ireland, and was supported here by An Post postman Kevin Cronin and model Lynn Kelly. For more information, log on to www. anpostras.ie.
bounce and failed to control the ball. The Students responded midway through the first half when a free kick played over the top of the Celtic defence saw Gus Shaw Stewart quickest to the ball, and he put it through the legs of the Celtic keeper, scoring the equaliser and keeping his side’s title chances alive. Both sides had chances to take the lead before half time but found their opposition defence to be good form and left all to be played for after the break. Swords started the second half like the first,
dominating possession and creating several good chances none of which they could convert for the go-ahead goal. Just when it appeared that this might not be their day, the champions elect took the lead midway through the second half, Jason Smith the unlikely scorer after he tapped home inside the six-yard box following a goal mouth scramble from a Caulfield corner, to the delight of his teammates and management. W i t h 70 m i n u t e s played, Celtic doubled their lead and put the
league title beyond doubt. Caulfield was again the scorer after good work between himself and his midfield, and his second goal capped a fine individual and man of the match display. The result maintains their unbeaten run in the league and is their 17th win of the season to go alongside promotion to intermediate football next year Overall it was a performance wor thy of league champions and after the game their manager, Larry Clare, praised how his side have performed all season.
9 May 2013 SWORDS gazette 31
Gazette
Fingal claim Feile title with Whitehall win sport@gazettegroup.com
FINGAL Ravens claimed the Dublin division three Feile title in Blakestown last weekend with a 1-7 to 1-4 win over Whitehall Colmcilles as they managed to fight back in the second half despite facing into the breeze. They went in at the
break a point down despite the best efforts of Lorcan O’Brien and Cillian O’Rourke as Michael Noonan’s goal made it 1-1 to 0-3. But they responded brilliantly in the second half as O’Rourke netted to swap the lead and they scarcely looked back from there on. Brian Gleeson, Jack
Roberts and Sam Gill were all key to their efforts, hustling and harrying their way to set in motion the scores, helping the side outscore Whitehall 1-4 to three points in the second half despite having the conditions against them. Daire Sammon, meanwhile, starred from wing
back as the Rolestown club closed out the tie in impressive fashion to get the better of their north Dublin rivals. Meanwhile, Naomh Mearnog claimed the Division Two final title against Cuala with a 1-14 to 1-3 in a match which saw them capitalise on a six-point ahalftime lead.
football: stellar run to final capped by title
Club Noticeboard fingallians Our U-14s boys footballers did us
rently organising a golf classic. This
proud at Feile 2013 on Saturday. They
wll be held on July 5 in Balbriggan.
progressed through their group but
Further details to follow.
were narrowly beaten in the semifinals.
Fingallians’ Strictly Come Dancing Midsummer Ball is happening on June
Also at the weekend, there were
22 in Fingallians. The dancers are
wins for the U-12Bs and U-16s foot-
ready to go, with practice starting in
ballers in the shield semi-final.
two weeks’ time. The official launch
Well done to all who participated in
night will take place shortly, and
the world record three-legged race
regular updates will be available on
on Saturday.
Facebook (search for Strictly Come
Summer Festival 2013 will take
Dancing at Fingallians) and Twitter
place over the next few weeks. Reg-
(#strictlyatfins). There may still be
istration will take place on the first
some slots left for dancers, so let us
night of each festival. Non mem-
know very soon if you’re interested.
bers are welcome and the cost of
Bookings are being taken now for the
each festival is €5 per player. All the
limited number of tickets available,
matches will take place in Balheary.
so if you’d like to book yours, email
Players can get application forms at
strictly@fingallians.com. And when
training this week from their man-
they’re gone, they really are gone.
agers.
Tickets are €20 each, and will not be
Diary date: Our hurlers are cur-
available on the night.
st finian’s
The Dublin minor football panel celebrate their Leinster success against Meath. Picture: GAApics.com
Minor miracles take the Leinster crown LADIES MFC Final Dublin 2-14 Meath 0-4 sport@gazettegroup.com
FINGALLIANS’ Emer Ni Eafa, Niamh Rickard and Rachel Brogan all played their part in the Dublin ladies footballers squad when they claimed Leinster minor championship final victory last Sunday, getting the better of Meath in rampant fashion, with the scoreline 2-14 to 0-4. Michelle Davoren’s goal settled some early nerves after an initially shaky start to the tie as they struggled out of the
blocks. But from there, they pulled away with plenty to spare, moving 1-9 to 0-2 ahead by the halftime break. Leah Mullins added the second goal in the second half, swivelling nicely onto her left foot to fire home and extend the advantage, with Meath never really threatening a comeback. Thomas Davis tyro Ciara McGuigan was to the fore throughout as Dublin completed an emphatic season, winning each game in the competition by at least double figures.
They opened up with a 3-17 to 2-6 victory over Kildare in the first game before running up a 4-30 to single point scoreline against Wicklow. Wexford were next to be dismissed in the quarter-final when they ran up a 7-20 to 1-5 win and Laois did not fare much better as they were eliminated 5-11 to 1-7. Likewise, Meath had an unbeaten record in Leinster up to this point and had the advantage of an extra tussle with Kildare in the Leinster semi final that went to a replay, with the Royals holding on to claim a one
point victory. And the tie was expected to be closer as, in 2012, the two counties also clashed in the provincial decider with Fintan O’Curry’s chargers holding out for a dramatic one-point extra time win. Dublin went on to collect the All-Ireland crown following a thrilling final against Tyrone. But this time around, the Jackies were way too strong, giving them confidence in making a name for themselves on the All-Ireland stage with a semi-final date against the Ulster champions to come.
It was a disappointing week in
place on Friday next in Forrest Lit-
the championship for both our
tle GC. Please contact Denis O’Keeffe
adult hurling teams, but our minor
(086 2491167) if you would like to grab
hurlers,under the banner of Swords
some of the very few places left.
Gaels, continue to dominate Division
The prize-giving will take place
4 after their latest win, away from
in the golf club’s lounge on Friday
home, over Castleknock.
evening.
The coming week is a busy one with
The coming week ends with our
social and sporting events. There
adult footballers playing the first
are midweek fixtures for juvenile and
round of the 2013 Intermediate Foot-
ladies teams. On Thursday evening,
ball Championship against O’Dwyers
we have the Garda Band coming to the
out in The Naul on Saturday at 4.30pm.
community centre.
All support welcome.
We need to see a big turnout for this
The lotto jackpot this week was
as the band have kindly agreed to fit
€10,100 and the numbers drawn were
us into their busy schedule. Tickets
8, 9, 19 and 24. There was no winner.
will be available at the door (adults €10, children €5, family €20). We have our golf classic taking
The €50 Lucky Dip winners were Sinead Platt and Yvonne O’Reilly. Next week’s jackpot will be €10,200.
fingal ravens Well done to our U-14s who are
onship in St Margaret’s this week.
Dublin football Feile Division 3 cham-
We are also hosting a senior cha-
pions. Well done to the management
pionship match on Friday in Roles-
- Joe, Dave and Brian and captain
town - St Maur’s vs Raheny. Anyone
Brian Gleeson - and the whole squad.
that can help out, please contact
We would like to wish a speedy
Declan on 086 267 3830.
recovery to Eoghan O’Donnell who
2013 membership is now overdue.
got injured on Saturday, and we
No players of any team are permit-
would like to thank the team Feile
ted to play and will not be covered
sponsors, Rolestown Motors.
by insurance even for training until
We would like to thank everyone
their membership is paid.
for helping out with hosting the feile
Dig out your tent and your camp-
on Saturday in Rolestown, everyone
ing gear, we are holding a camping
who made sambos, helped with the
night in the club on Sunday, June
tea, the referees, pitch co-ordina-
2 (bank holiday weekend); €10 per
tor Paul Cready, and Brendan, Jack
tent.
and Denis for having our ground in great shape. Best of luck to our senior team who play St Pat’s (P) in the champi-
There is a talent show in the Kettle’s Hotel on Friday, May 31; for more information, contact Willie on 086-8533855.
32 swords gazette 9 May 2013