Metro Herald, Tuesday, December 2, 2014

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Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Your Metro Herald packed with news, sport and features

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Steph up Adam White vs great whites Travel paGe 13

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What’s 2015 got in store for rosie?

fury aT HomeleSS man’S deaTH near dáil

Whiskey a go go in booze robbery

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Wonder goal could see Roche share podium with Ronaldo and Messi

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paGe 24

nama’S planS for Boland’S millS paGe 5

Girls’ dead defender is nation’s hero a newly published surveillance video has shown the fatal attack on a young woman after she defended two teenage girls from male harassment – a death that has been mourned with candlelight vigils across Germany.

Daily paper Bild published the video on its website, calling on witnesses, including the teenage girls, to come forward with more information about the attack in front of a fast-food restaurant in Offenbach, central Germany.

Tugce albayrak died last Friday, her 23rd birthday, after her family gave doctors permission to switch off her life support. She had been in a coma after reportedly being struck in the head. pictures of the woman have been all over television, social media and newspapers in Germany in the two weeks since the attack.

The surveillance video of the attack shows an enraged man – identified by Bild as 18-year-old Sanel M, who is currently in police custody – as he appears to hit albayrak on the head and she falls to the ground.

Raiders make off with 15,000 bottles of booze GARDAÍ are chasing truck-driving gangsters who stole more than 15,000 bottles of whiskey in a Christmas party-season heist.

Thousands of cases of Jameson and Jack Daniel’s – as well as Bombay Sapphire gin – were taken during the violent burglary in west Dublin.

A pair of iron bar-wielding criminals tied up two workers at an alcohol warehouse in the Parkwest Industrial Estate after forcing them to open up the loading bay.

At least three accomplices joined the gang and stacked the drink into two 12.2m trucks before making off towards the nearby M50 and M7 motorways.

The haul includes 2,580 six-bottle

by Brian HuTTon cases of Jameson as well as an undisclosed amount of Bombay Sapphire and Jack Daniel’s cases.

While the burglary happened on November 14, between 3pm and 4pm, details have only been released now to coincide with the run-up to Christmas.

Detectives expect the gang will try to sell the huge haul of bottles on the black market over the festive season.

The batch numbers on the cases of stolen Jameson are L428112153, L428312172 and L428016141.

It is not known what the numbers are on the other spirits.

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Irish artist scoops Turner Prize

Dublin-born artist Duncan Campbell last night won the Turner Prize for his series of films. The judges at the ceremony at the Tate Britain gallery in London said said his works, titled For Others, which take in African art and iconic onic images from fr the Troubles, ubles, w were ‘topical pic and compelling’ ompelling’. Accepting epting his award and €32,000 prize from Chiwetel Ejiofor – star of previous winner and fellow Glasgow asgo School of Art alumnus Steve McQueen’s film 12 Years A Slave – Glasgow-based Campbell said: ‘The opinions of the people on the jury matter a great deal to me.’ He added that the money would go on ‘normal’ things and help pay the rent on his studio. pictuRe: ReuteRs

Keep Dublin tidy – Please recycle this Metro Herald when you are finished with it

Brave: Victim Tugce Albayrak

METRO HERALD Tuesday, December 2, 2014

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Tuesday 02/12/14

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Lucy Liu, actress, 46; Monica Seles, ex-tennis star, 41; Graham Kavanagh, football manager, 41; Nelly Furtado (pictured), pop singer, 36; christopher Wolstenholme, Muse bassist, 36, Britney Spears, pop star, 33.

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Dry with good sunshine. Moderate to fresh, northerly winds will persist for a time in southern and south-eastern coastal districts but, otherwise, winds will back west to southwest, light to moderate. Highs of 6° to 9°C.

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EUROPE today

Tomorrow Cold and frosty, with little or no wind and temperatures struggling to rise in fog areas.

C Where fog clears there will be brighter breaks and temperatures 10kph will reach between 4° and 7°C in the C afternoon.

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Leading man: Martin Freeman Pictures: Getty/rex

Tuesday, December 2, 2014 METRO HERALD

IAN McKELLEN was the butt of the joke at the premiere of The Hobbit: The Battle Of Five Armies last night, as cast members revealed he would ‘flash his wand’ during filming.

The veteran actor, who plays Gandalf the Grey, would cancan across the set and wore nothing under his wizard robes, said co-star Aidan Turner.

‘He used to do that all the time,’ Turner – who plays dwarf Kili – told Metro Herald.

But McKellen was quick to brush off the claims.

‘Did I flash my co-stars? They wish,’ he joked.

Having starred in all The Hobbit

and Lord Of The Rings films, he wants a new role. ‘I want to play Mother Goose at The Palladium,’ he said.

Screen siren Evangeline Lilly (pictured left) – who plays elven guard Tauriel – brought a touch of glamour to the West End premiere.

But co-star James Nesbitt’s daughter Peggy (main picture, right), who also appears in the film, turned just as many heads. She was joined on the Leicester Square red carpet by Martin Freeman, Stephen Fry and Benedict Cumberbatch.

The film is released in the UK next Friday.

Madonna: There’s nothing heavenly about using drugs MADONNA has claimed she tried ‘every drug once’ – but those who use narcotics ‘to get closer to God’ are on a destructive path.

The 56-year-old pop queen made her confession while explaining the inspiration to Devil Prays, a track that references drugs on her forthcoming 13th studio album.

‘It’s about how people take drugs to connect to God or to a higher level of consciousness,’ she says.

‘If you get high, you can do that, which is why a lot of people drop acid or do drugs, because they want to get closer to God. ‘That’s the illusion of drugs,

Family affair: James Nesbitt with wife and daughters

Glowing: Stephen Fry Poise: Cumberbatch

Role: Richard Armitage Vision: Peter Jackson

by sEAMus Duff

because they give you the illusion of getting closer to God, but ultimately they kill you,’ she adds.

Madge has ‘tried everything once’ but would ‘drink tons of water’ to flush substances out of herself, she tells Interview magazine.

Opening up about her new music to illusionist David Blaine, she confesses to plagiarising lyrics from her children.

‘My son came to the studio the other day and said, “Mom, I feel like I’m isolated from your heart.” I was like, “Oh, that’s a good line. I have to use that,”’ she laughs.

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Tuesday, December 2, 2014 METRO

Can-can: Ian McKellen and Orlando Bloom

METRO HERALD Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Boss steps in for Bono BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN and Chris Martin were due to step in last night as frontmen for U2 in the wake of Bono’s cycling accident.

The band performed at a World Aids Day (RED) benefit concert in Times Square, New York, last night, with the new line-up for ‘U2 Minus 1’ – revealed just hours beforehand.

The stand-ins had ‘graciously donated their time and talents to save the World AIDS Day event from cancellation’, U2 said.

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Homeless man’s death near Dáil is ‘damning’

by BRIAn HuTTOn The deaTh of a homeless man opposite the dáil is a damning reflection of the State’s failure to protect the worst off, it has been claimed. a candle-lit vigil will be held outside Leinster house this evening in memory of the 43-year-old who died in a doorway on Molesworth Street.

Several homeless men sleep rough around the area and some are known to Taoiseach enda Kenny and other Tds as they pass on their way to dáil Gardaí are not treating the death as suspicious and are awaiting port-mortem results to determine if the cold weather or drug use was a factor.

Met Éireann said temperatures in dublin plunged to as low as 1.4°C on Sunday night. drug paraphernalia were discovered close to the man’s body, which was found by a passer-by on his way to work. homelessness charities who work with those sleeping rough in the capi-

Sex education drive in unis YOUTH website SpunOut.ie is hoping to educate Dublin students on sexual health with outreach events in both Trinity College and Dublin City University this week.

The events – in Trinity today and DCU on Thursday – will take place from 11am to 4pm and are part of Sexual Health Awareness Week. The launch of the campaign to encourage regular STI testing coincides with World Aids Day.

Ill judge: I’m on the phone A HIGH CoURT judge has told members of a jury in a rape trial that he was brought back in from hospital to direct them.

At the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, Mr Justice Paul Carney told the jury in the trial of a Limerick man he would deal with any questions from them over the telephone. ‘I’ve been brought back in from hospital to reprocess you,’ he said, before telling they needed at least ten to agree for a majority verdict.

168 will sleep rough in the coming weeks

Speed of light

Vodafone technology director Madalina Suceveanu and enterprise director Anne Sheehan get some hot help as they launch the arrival of Ireland’s first 4G+ service. Dubliners with certain devices will have access to internet speeds of 150Mbps by the end of the mon month, twice as fast ast as first gener generation 4G, meaning aning ‘‘instant video streaming in HD, live TV with high reliability and the potential to broadcast live from events’ pIctuRe: MaRk Mccall

Irish Rail took €900k in passenger fines IRISH RAIL made €900,000 so far this year through fining fare dodgers, it has been revealed.

The figure for the first ten months of 2014 follows on from extra preventive measures put in place to curb the problem.

Over the past 18months, Irish Rail has stepped up its bid to combat the ‘serious issue’ by increasing staffing

levels in certain areas and carrying out random checks. Working closely with the Department of Social Protection to verify travel passes has also been a key development, it said.

As a result, more than 9,000 people have been fined this year, the majority for not paying their fare.

The minimum fixed charge for such a violation is €100.

Some 252 cases also went to court, which means the income is likely to be in excess of the actual estimates.

One person was fined €5,500 for travelling on an invalid pass for a number years, while another was penalised €100 for a ‘persistent’ case of putting their feet on the seats.

Irish Rail is planning an audit to uncover the extent of this problem.

tal confirmed that they had been in contact with the man before his death.

Believed to be originally from Co Carlow, his last known address was a hostel in dublin.

Mike allen, of homelessness charity Focus Ireland, said the death made clear the severity of the crisis. ‘It is one thing to hear abstractly about a homeless man dying but suddenly if you’re are able to put a face, maybe a name and maybe you have had a conversation with the man, the humanity of it becomes much clearer,’ he said.

Figures ago show the number sleeping rough in dublin has soared by a fifth in the past year. at least 168 will be out over the coming weeks and months, it is estimated.

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Tuesday, December 2, 2014 METRO HERALD

Bungling shoe thief stole two right feet A TEENAGER who stole a pair of right-footed runners in different sizes has been remanded on bail pending sentence.

The boy, 16, pleaded guilty yesterday to the theft of Nike runners worth €35 at Lifestyle Sports in the Omni shopping centre, Santry, north Dublin, on the evening of October 29 this year.

Garda Emily Carr told the Dublin Children’s Court an off-duty garda had spotted the teenager picking up runners from a display on the front window. ‘They were two right feet runners, in two odd sizes,’ she added.

The boy’s solicitor, Gareth Noble, said the teenager, who was supported in court by his father, is currently in a rut.

‘He does not have a lot of structure and routine to his day,’ he said.

For Nama, where there is a Mill, there is a way A NEW planning application is to be lodged with Dublin City Council tomorrow to turn the derelict Boland’s Mill site at Grand Canal Dock into a new urban quarter.

The submission will be made by receivers Savills on behalf of Nama. It said the €150million scheme is the ‘largest proposed construction project for Dublin since the downturn’. The proposed development – once envisaged as an exclusively officebased scheme – now includes a residential

by DAviD kEARNs element, as well as office, retail/café/restaurant and cultural/exhibition space.

A spokesman for Savills said: ‘This landmark development will be characterised by three newly constructed signature buildings, two of which will consist of office accommodation and one with residential accommodation in the form of two and three-bedroom apartments.’

Civic streets and squares in the plan are ‘designed to bring a wealth of hitherto neglected and blanked-off heritage buildings into new active uses’, it said.

Nama said it is not aware of a developer for the project, adding that, in spite of reports, the ownership of the land remain with its original developer, Sean Kelly.

Nama took control of Boland’s Mill in 2012 after Mr Kelly’s property company Versus Ltd went into receivership.

In for a Penneys...

HOORAY for Steve Brennan of Leopardstown, the winner of our Penneys competition. With four kids, he should get plenty of use out of the €1,000 store voucher. Keep an eye out for more great competitions in Metro Herald.

Dún Laoghaire to get outdoor swimming pool By the seaside: An artist’s impression of the planned pool

A little piece of Berlin looks set to pop up in Dublin next year in the form of an ‘urban beach’.

Dún laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has given planning approval for €2.5million outdoor pool to be built in the south Dublin harbour. the project is modelled on the popular Badeschiff, or ‘bathing ship’, located along the banks of the River Spree in Germany.

Put forward by Dún laoghaire Harbour Company late last year, the development will see a floating swimming pool moored close to Berth 1 of the east Pier. According to operations manager tim Ryan, construction is due to be completed in time for summer 2016. it will operate for six months of the year between April and September. the swimming area will be a converted

river barge, with seawater heated to 26°C using ‘an underwater heat pump’.

A café, juice kiosk, as well as changing and toilet facilities are also planned.

Up to ten jobs are expected to be created by the facility, with the harbour company projecting at least 150,000 visitors per year. Admission is likely to be ‘equivalent to the price of a cinema ticket’, the company said.

METRO HERALD Tuesday, December 2, 2014

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Pup and away: Flying beats walkies for Nano

. . .

Y L F T H G I M S G U P !

T I D E V O R P E V WE’

FORGET chasing sticks into the sea... this is daredevil dog Nano’s idea of a fun day out at the beach.

The pug went paragliding with owners Cristina and Michael on the Costa Verde in Lima, Peru.

They made a harness for him and used a boom to take a selfie of the three-year-old’s maiden flight.

‘He absolutely loved it,’ said Cristina, who runs a business in Lima with partner Michael.

‘He was watching the other paragliders around us and kept looking at people on the cliff tops.

He seemed pretty surprised.’

Safe: Dog’s harness Pictures: mercury

Ghostwriter behind Katie Price’s books passes away Author rebecca Farnworth, who gave Katie Price her literary success by ghostwriting her novels and autobiographies, has died at the age of 49. the mother of three wrote 14 books under Price’s name over the past decade, with the first – Being Jordan – selling in excess of a million copies, and generating a fortune.

Farnworth, who teamed up with the model and businesswoman after forging a career as a radio producer and print journalist, died from cancer, her literary agent Maggie hanbury said. the Brighton, uK-based writer also published fiction in her own right, beginning in 2009 with Valentine, followed by two other books A Funny thing About Love and Swimming Pool Summer.

Ms hanbury said: ‘rebecca Farnworth had a rare talent. She wrote three romantic novels under her own name but perhaps ironically achieved greater fame – because it

Prolific writer: Author Rebecca Farnworth died at the age of just 49 Picture: Pa

was an open secret – ghostwriting Katie Price’s books.

‘Vibrant and full of life, rebecca was huge fun to work with, always ready with a quip to set the room alight with laughter. She created memorable authentic characters that seemed to have a life of their own.’

She said the first volume of Price’s memoirs – written when she used the name Jordan – had been a hit, ‘much to the amazement of the publishing industry’.

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Tuesday, December 2, 2014 METRO HERALD

Man denies murdering millionaire A MILLIONAIRE allegedly murdered by her UK fiancé in a Paris hotel had feared for her life, texting friends ‘In case I die’, a court heard yesterday.

Kinga Wolf, 36, was found dead in the bath of a room at Le Bristol in May, 2009. She had 92 bruises on her body, multiple fractures and had suffered an internal haemorrhage.

On the night of her death she and fiancé Ian Griffin had had a blazing, alcoholfuelled row. The couple returned to their hotel separately, but at 1am began arguing again in their room.

‘Then my client has a blank,’ defence lawyer Francis Triboulet told the Court of Assize in Paris. ‘He and his companion had consumed lots of alcohol and were suffering benzodiazepine withdrawal.

That caused the memory loss.’

The trial is expected to end on Friday. Mr Griffin denies murder.

Hands up: St Louis Rams support shot teen Picture: usa today Solidarity: Rams star Jared Cook Picture: Getty

Punish Rams for Ferguson gesture, say angry police FIVE US footballers who stood with arms raised in a ‘hands up’ gesture over the Ferguson shooting should be disciplined, police in Missouri said.

The players’ show of solidarity with Michael Brown, the unarmed black teenager shot dead by a white officer, sparked clashes between police and pro-

by jOEL TAyLOR testers at the St Louis Rams’ stadium.

Yesterday, the St Louis police officers’ association said it found the actions ‘tasteless, offensive and inflammatory’ and called for an official apology.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher insisted he

wasn’t aware the gesture had been planned for Sunday’s match by his players Tavon Austin, Kenny Britt, Stedman Bailey, Jared Cook and Chris Givens, who are all black.

After his team’s victory against Oakland Raiders, Cook said ‘change starts with the people that are the most influ-

ential around the world’. Britt added: ‘I don’t want the people in the community to feel like we turned a blind eye to it.’

Later, dozens of protesters marched on the Edward Jones Dome, chanting: ‘Rams fans, join the movement’. Scuffles broke out when police in riot gear showed up.

METRO HERALD Tuesday, December 2, 2014

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BENEFITS OF FAME GAME STEREO Kicks say their X Factor journey has had one very obvious benefit.

‘It has been good for meeting girls,’ said ladies’ man Casey Johnson, 19.

The lads have also been amazed by the attention they’ve received from fans across the globe.

‘We had fan mail from Brazil. It’s been incredible,’ Jake Sims, 20, added.

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Louis plans revenge over Stereo Kick-off F

urious Louis Walsh says simon Cowell will come to regret voting stereo Kicks off The X Factor.

The irish judge was stunned when 55-year-old Cowell – who had formed the eight-piece boyband at the boot camp stage of the show – turned his back on them to save Lauren Platt. ‘it was totally the wrong decision by simon,’ Walsh, 62, blasted in an exclusive chat with

Guilty Pleasures on sunday night.

‘The potential for these boys is incredible and time will tell who will do well between these boys and the girl. ‘i am never going to let him forget it. And when they sell all those records i will say, “Do you remember when you voted

Fury: Louis blasted Simon’s decision

them off?”’ Band member Chris Leonard, 19, was also shocked when Cowell let them down as he had been such a strong supporter throughout.

‘There hasn’t been once where simon has really put us down,’ the teen from ireland told us. ‘Everything has been constructive criticism.’

HE’S the bookies’ favour to win – and Be ite n can be assured Haenow he has the support of the St er eo Ki cks boys, who will all be ba X Factor’s votin cking him via The g ap five free votes p. ‘I’m using my Jones said. The for Ben,’ Charlie other lads agre e.

Dublin at Christmas brings you Elf @ Anne’s Lane Spreading the Christmas Cheer with Metro Herald

’ E T A M I T N I ‘ ’ S y O B GIG FOR FANS Be one of the lucky 100 Metro Herald readers who will win treats and mulled wine at the Dublin at Christmas Market, a reserved seat at the Anne’s Lane Christmas Movie Event, a stocking full of treats and a special cocktail at one of the Anne’s Lane Venues.

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DATE: Thursday 4th December TIME: 8.00pm WHERE: Anne’s Lane (Off South Anne Street) TREATS: Hot Drinks & Canapés provided by the Anne’s Lane Businesses WEBSITE: www.dublinatchristmas.ie To be in with a chance to attend, please register by emailing

comps@metroherald.ie with your name, email address and telephone number The offer is open to those aged 18 years and over. Please bringyourinvitationtotheDublinatChristmasofficehut to receive you wristband. Closing date 4th December.

fans to their ‘most TAKE THAT treated ce yet as they intimate’ performan tition winners with pe serenaded 80 com album. w ne r ei , tracks from th No.1 hit These Days d w ne ng sa o The tri an e in Sh cks, such as alongside classic tra g a party at London’s rin du , od Back For Go ub yesterday.

Dover Street Arts Cl ed to do something nt wa ‘We’ve always release. It was like this for an albumle having a great amazing to see peop . time,’ said the band um, III, is available alb w ne ’s Take That m on Google Play exclusively to strea until 2015.

FOR E V O L N E E R C S IG B TOtheirNreal-life D AerSarH MILA AAsN e taking hton Kutch the

Treat: Take That at their exclusive show Pic

ture: Getty

Not a rumour, the Mac are bactokth..e Isl.e of Wight in

ading TWOOD MAC are he be the festival’s headline cameo roles in EE MILA KUNIS and g FL in gg ba r te af – reen the next summer to have already sold out romance back on-sc e. ak m act. The iconic band on June 20 next year. re e Anni fella, 36, have r in he d an , 31 , ila M and the 3Arena in Dubl 14, they will play their New parent ne ther in That 70s Show Ju , ge ay to nd ed ar Su pe on t ap ly Bu Christine previous ly – UK festival since nd’s on Men. d lf an Ha – A st d fir An e, o ni ba Tw in An on complete the y star in a film with McVie returned to They will reportedl . . up eLake classic 70s lin the Isle of called Moonquake hanna, 26, and Rose ays wanted to play e all Ri alw , e 42 , e’v az ‘W Di on er sh m Iri Cameo: Mila Kunis and Ca ts can’t wait to se r in Annie, which hi Wight festival, we Mac said.

Ashton Kutcher Picture: Getty Byrne, 35, will also sta n’s Day. d he our fans,’ Fleetwoo cinemas on St Step

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Tuesday, December 2, 2014 METRO HERALD

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Taylor and Behati Head shot: Lily with

HALO, HALO! HERE’s TAYLOR’s AN GELs

CARA E DELEVINGN n’t o w r e n n Je and Kendall ictoria’s Secret eV appear at th as they are off to w o Sh Fashion t Chanel’s y will pose a Austria. The show in Salzburg Métiers d’Art re had been talk instead. The iss the lingerie m they would their names a e parad s uded on weren’t incl the bill.

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TAYLOR SWIFT w as enjoyed a girly ni surrounded by Angels as she supermodels ah ght with the Victoria’s Secret ead Swift, who is perfo of their fashion show tonight. for the second ye rming at the annual extravaga ar nz fans updated with in a row – along with Hozier – a ke a pt se rie s of snap Aldridge and Be hati Prinsloo, 25 s of herself with Lily , after joining th model army at th e ei ‘London girl talk r London hotel on Sunday night. !!! #V SF ashionShow #2Da Aldridge, 29, capt ys,’ her Instagram pa ioned one image after sharing it ge. Swift, 24, also on good friend and model Karlie Klos met up with her Ambrosio, Adria s, 22, Alessandra na and 26 year olds Lima, both 33, Doutzen Kroes, 29 Ca But it appears th ndice Swanepoel and Elsa Hosk , ey all kept a clea . up early on Mon r day for promotio head as they were nal duties.

Swift opted for a preppy ensembl spot of shopping, trading in he es for a racier lo ok in patterned r and a lace top. tights Meanwhile, the Vi ct or ia’s Secret Angels way through a se giggled their lingerie brand’s ries of photos during a visit to o the Marylebone branch.

Tonight’s catwalk show, hosted by London for the first time, is at Earls Court Aren a in London.

Racy lady: Taylor hits the London shops Picture: reX

Girls’ night in : Candice’s shot with frie nds Lily andInstagram Taylor

Secret’s out, at last, for married Scarlett

SCARLETT JOHANSSON is a married woman after secretly tying the knot with fian cé Romain Dauriac. The Avengers star, 30, wed after the birth of daughter Rose in September, said a source. ‘They kept the wedding secret because they wanted privacy,’ an insider told the New York Post. Rumours the couple were wed first surfaced a month ago when Scarlett was seen wearing a diamond band.

Wed: Scarlett and Romain Dauriac Picture: Vantagenews

VISIT WESTEND.IE OR OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR ALL YOUR CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS AND THE CHANCE TO WIN LOTS OF GREAT PRIZES

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DAVE GROHL says Kurt Cobain kissed him when he heard a Foo Fighters demo track, back in 1992.

The ex-Nirvana drummer, 45, left, played Alone + Easy Target to his then bandmate.

‘Kurt heard that and kissed me on the face,’ said Grohl.

He also revealed in music documentary Sonic Highways: ‘I was too afraid to be in the same room as he listened to it.’

For late night shopping hours visit our website or Facebook page: westend.ie

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10 METRO HERALD Tuesday, December 2, 2014

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World

digest

Army shoots woman Harassed sisters’ bus in steak knife attack fightback is a TV hit

Clashes: A protester is stopped by riot police Pictures: reuters

Protesters and police scuffle in fresh battle PRO-DEMOCRACY protesters in Hong Kong clashed with police outside government headquarters yesterday.

Hundreds of demonstrators carrying their trademark umbrellas pushed past barricades and blocked traffic down a side road to chief executive Leung Chun-ying’s office.

Many wearing surgical masks, hard hats and safety goggles chanted: ‘I want true democracy.’

Police charged the crowd, pushing protesters back with pepper spray and batons after some started pelting them with water bottles and other objects.

Senior Supt Tsui Wai-hung said there had been 40 arrests while a government statement said 11 police were injured.

The statement ‘reiterated that soci-

dates wanting to stand as Hong Kong’s leader in inaugural 2017 ety would not accept the illegal acts elections. of violent radicals who repeatedly Authorities last week used an agpushed police officers and charged gressive operation to clear out the their cordon lines during scuffles’. protest camp on the busy streets of The student-led protesters are angry Mong Kok district, one of three proat Beijing’s decision to vet candi- test zones set up around the city.

Alex Chow, secretary general of the Hong Kong Federation of Students said: ‘The government has been stalling.

‘We believe we need to focus pressure on the government headquarters, the symbol of the government’s power.’

Meanwhile, the foreign office has criticised a warning from China that a delegation planning to visit Hong Kong as part of a inquiry into relations since the 1997 handover as Stand-off: A demonstrator is struck ‘overtly confrontational’.

by KELVIN cHAN

ISRAEL: A Palestinian woman was shot and seriously wounded by security forces after she stabbed an Israeli civilian in the occupied West Bank yesterday. The woman, Amal Taqatqa, 22, assaulted the man with a steak knife, causing minor injuries, witnesses said. Al Jazeera said she had been trying to attack an Israeli soldier but turned on the passer-by when she failed to reach her target.

INDIA: A video of two sisters hitting back at men who harassed them on a crowded bus was shown on TV yesterday after it went viral on social media. The pair are seen lashing out at their harassers with punches and a belt as other passengers silently look on. ‘Noone came to our help,’ said one of the women. Police have arrested three men in the northern state of Haryana after Friday’s incident.

cHINA: Liu Lingchao is a bit of a home body – carrying a makeshift house on his back wherever he goes. The ‘snail man’, 39, of Liuzhou, collects trash on his annual pilgrimage around the country Picture: rex

Explosions go off in city elects country’s packed marketplace 1st openly gay mayor

NIGERIA: Twin blasts have exploded in a crowded market where two female suicide bombers killed 70 people a week ago.

Witnesses reported rescue workers were treating many dead and injured, while police said it was too early to give a death toll. Islamic group Boko Haram is being blamed for the attacks in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri, although it hasn’t yet claimed responsibility.

POLAND: Constituents in the northern city of Słupsk have made history by electing the nation’s first openly gay mayor. With 57 per cent of the vote, Robert Biedroń of the ultra-liberal Your Movement party secured a comfortable victory over Zbigniew Konwiński.

Spurred on by the 38-year-old trailblazer, 20 mayoral candidates came out in the build-up to the elections.

and finally...

BOSNIA: It took some elbow grease but martial arts expert Edin Kajevic is a world-record holder. The 35-year-old, from Visoko, broke 40 coconuts with his elbow in under a minute – smashing the previous record by 19.

The Irish psychic’s guide...

by DAVID HOLLYWOOD PSYCHIC predictions of snakes returning to Ireland, a pregnancy for Rosanna Davison, and a drama of some sort for the Aran Islands are all included in the Old Moore’s Almanac for 2015.

While editor Nicole Buckler would not name the journal’s resident psychic, she claimed he has a 75 per cent hit rate with his predictions.

She said: ‘I found him four years ago and he freaks me out. He predicted an issue with spiders and we’ve had all these false widows.

I’m afraid this year could be bad for Fungi [the Dingle dolphin] as he’s

expected to be in the news in some way.’

While the supernatural sooth- s a y e r might not nail his predictions in a temporal sense, Nicole said he tends to get there eventually.

In another prediction of note, Michael O’Leary is expected to become even nicer this year, Nicole added.

First published more than 250 years ago, the almanac was relaunched in 2010.

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Tuesday, December 2, 2014 METRO HERALD

EvEnts in 2014 that Old MOOrE ‘succEssfully prEdictEd’ 1. A probe will be landed on an asteroid – The Rosetta probe landed successfully on a comet.

2. The Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio will be damaged – It was hit by lightning right before the World Cup. 3. Michael O’Leary has some sort of epiphany and decides to make Ryanair a much more palatable experience for customers – Yes. O’Leary has been telling everyone that they’re improving little by little.

4. Enda Kenny will have a tough year – Hello, water charges.

5. Scots will say no – They did.

6. Bono (pictured) to watch his health – He had a terrible bike accident recently.

7. Another baby for Robbie Williams – Yes, and he made an idiot of himself during his wife’s labour.

8. There will be talk of ‘the cloud’ – Many celebs had their iCloud hacked into and their nude selfies stolen.

9. Tourism in Ireland sees a jump in numbers – Yes, up again for the second year running.

10. A one-man attack on the White House – Yep. And he got a fair way in too.

and hErE arE Our favOuritE prEdictiOns fOr 2015

Rosanna Davison: Pitter patter of little feet? picture: John cogill

1. It is the year of space news and discovery. Space, space space! We will soon be an inter-planetary species. And the subject gets its own section in the newspaper.

2. Putin has a tantrum.

3. Snakes in Ireland.

4. A new method of transport.

5. Record heatwaves everywhere.

Also, waves, everywhere.

Waves will be in the news all year long.

6. There will be talk of three

or four international currencies for the world, roughly divided by continents.

7. End of injections, yay!

8. Anne Hathaway baby.

Paris Hilton or Nicky Hilton or both have a baby. A pregnancy for Nicole Scherzinger also.

9. Grape shortages put wines in danger.

10. Brangelina marriage in jeopardy – another child is still likely though.

Perfect surprises from €69.

#3PerfectSurprise While stocks last. See three.ie

11

12 METRO HERALD Tuesday, December 2, 2014

tickets to Irish premiere of

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Mailbox

Email: mail@metroherald.ie

Text: ‘Mail’ to 53131* Facebook.com/ metroherald

@metrohnews #metromailbox

*Please include a name and location. Emails with attachments cannot be received. Texts cost €0.30 per message + standard network charges. SP. Oxygen8 Communications, 4th Floor, Malt House North, Grand Canal Quay, D2. Customer service number 0818286606

Quick pic

RED, GREEN AND GOLD: In keeping with our Chrimbo theme, we liked this shot of the Ha’penny Bridge from Miguel Bonilla which has some distinctly festive colours going on Send your photos to pictures@ metroherald.ie with ‘Quick pic’ as the subject and we will print the best each day in the paper

IN CINEMAS DECEMBER 19 /DumbAndDumberIreland

To celebrate the release of the comedy DUMB AND DUMBER TO, we’ve teamed up with Universal Pictures Ireland to offer you the chance to attend the Irish Premiere with a friend. The event will be held on Monday 15th December at 7pm in the Savoy Cinema.

Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels reprise their signature roles as Lloyd and Harry in the sequel to the smash hit that took the physical comedy and kicked it in the nuts: DUMB AND DUMBER TO. The original film’s directors, Peter and Bobby Farrelly, take Lloyd and Harry on a road trip to find a child Harry never knew he had and the responsibility neither should ever, ever be given.

DUMB AND DUMBER TO stars Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Kathleen Turner, Laurie Holden, Rob Riggle, Rachel Melvin and Steve Tom.

TO WIN, JUST ANSWER THIS QUESTION...

What are the names of the two lead characters in Dumb & Dumber To:

Less ranting, more solutions, please...

C

an I just say fair play to Bruce newman. What a refreshing change to have someone offering solutions rather the same tired old ranting and giving-out about Ireland’s issues. It’s not hard to write in to lay blame and demand change but it’s far harder to come up with some possible fixes to solve these issues.

CJ ■ now that the Government is going to partially reinstate the Christmas bonus for social welfare recipients, I wonder when will they give us taxpayers a Christmas tax break to help us fund our Christmas (considering we are going to give more money to welfare).

I think we’ll be waiting a long time...

Kevin ■ as a doctor, the latest figures

released by the HSE forecasting patient-on-trolley figures to soar comes as no surprise. Ireland desperately needs more doctors.

On the one hand, this country is failing to retain Irish-trained doctors due to the high-handedness of the Irish Medical Council. On the other, certain hostile clauses of the Medical Practitioners act 2007 prevent qualified non-EU doctors from coming to Ireland. as a consequence, the Irish people are suffering and will probably suffer until the exodus stops or the Government attracts more foreign doctors to fill the gaps.

The only silver lining is that, unlike his predecessor, the current Health Minister, Leo Varadkar, seems to have identified the problem and is apparently ready to consider the amendments of the

gOOD On yA

Text DUMB, followed by your answer A , B or C your name and email to 53133 (texts cost 60c + standard network charge)

Dumb & Dumber To, cert 15A. Opens in cinemas Dec 19th 2014 Terms & Conditions: The competition closes at Midday Friday December 5th 2014. The winners will be chosen at random from the entries received and notified by telephone or email. Entrants must be over 15 years old.

Usual Metro Herald rules apply. The Editor's decision is final. By entering this competition you agree to sign up to the Metro Herald promotions list - To optout text NOMETRO to 51155. SP. Oxygen8 Communications, 4th Floor, Malt House North, Grand Canal Quay, D2. Customer Service number 0818 286 606

● High fives all around for Charles in Alan Hanna’s bookshop in Rathmines. Super selection as always, and you really know your titles so you were a great help the other day.

P Ryan, Dublin

● A massive thank you to Monk for keeping your housemate company while she was studying. You took time out to look after her and encourage her when you had so much to do. You’re in for a treat or two!

Berger

RAnDOM ACTs Of kinDnEss

Medical Practitioners act. He is energetic and young and it is hoped he will deliver on his promise. The sooner the law is amended the better. Till then, unfortunately, patients will suffer unless they protest and demand an urgent solution for this stalemate (like what people did for water charges).

Bubai ■ Thank you for the complimentary article on Gary numan. Usually, he doesn’t get that much good press – if any at all – and it wasn’t even an obituary! Cheers.

Ken ■ Thank you, Metro Herald, for the preview screening tickets to Get Santa. It was a brilliant movie which had tears running down my face from laughing. Great for adults and kids alike. Perfect to watch on Christmas Eve. P Ryan, Dublin

yEH big RiDE ● To the brainy blonde that I saw walking into Croke Park yesterday morning. I’d sure love it if you put me to the test sometime...

Zoid ● Stephanie Roche – you can score me any time you like!

JD

yOuR RusH-HOuR CRusH

in the know, on the go

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Tuesday, December 2, 2014 METrO hEraLD

13

PLUS

Masterchef

John Torode’s kitchen secrets, P14

Technology

Smashing gaming news, P17

The Hot List

The best festive treats, P15

Gifts from The Spa at The Shelbourne

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Coming Soon The Salon at The Shelbourne - Hair & Beauty Services

14 METRO HERALD Tuesday, December 2, 2014

food

M

asterchef presenter and restaurateur John torode began cooking professionally when he was 16. the australian came to London in the 1990s and worked for terence conran. at conran’s Quaglino’s he first met a certain Gregg Wallace, who supplied vegetables to the restaurant. after becoming the tV chef for this Morning, he went on to open his own restaurant, smiths of smithfield, and became the steely face of Masterchef in 2005. he is a regular on several tV food programmes. Most recently he has teamed up with a hot drinks machine brand to teach people how to be the perfect party host.

Describe your kitchen in one sentence. It’s a place I love to be, with things I have found and bought: a place to chat and eat and cook, a place in my home I love.

What’s your most used kitchen gadget?

I am a coffee freak and I love my coffee machine and my coffee pots and all the things that allow me to have different styles of coffee throughout the day. I do start the day with tea but have coffee for the rest of it until the sun goes down.

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features@metroherald.ie to advertise, call 01 7055010

Master of ceremonies

have puff pasty in the fridge, I always have beef stew in the freezer and so a meat pie comes to the table often. Otherwise I make spaghetti carbonara when I’m alone – simple and delicious with a glass of red wine.

TV chef John Torode talks to Metro Life about his coffee obsession, female inspiration and the importance of having good napkins

Guilty pleasure? a big sausage roll, meat pie or pasty with heinz tomato sauce. they must be hot and heavily seasoned and transport me back to australia.

What three things would you save from your kitchen in a fire? the photo of my mum waterskiing in the 1960s, my favourite tablecloth and the bottle of gin to drink while I watch my beautiful home burn to the ground.

Your essential kit? I feel that whenever you have people over and you want to be the perfect host, linen is important. You can cook in an old pot and you can serve on a mix of plates, you can grill outside. But to make it all lovely and soft and more than just a kitchen table, set it well: a tablecloth, a mix of odd glasses and napkins that feel like napkins.

Your food hero? this is easy – elizabeth David. her books are inspiring and I had the privilege of cooking for her in the early 1990s before she left us. Between her, rose Gray of river café fame and Maggie Beer in south australia, the influence of strong matriarchal women has made me who I am.

If you weren’t a chef, what would you be? Maybe a waterski instructor – I could ski and sit on the beach.

It wouldn’t be in this part of the world but in hot places and I would have to travel all around the world to do it.

What do you eat at home? I eat everything.

Yesterday I made crumbed chicken but the day before it was thai food and some Japanese dumplings. I love toast, eggs and bacon – and weekend breakfast must be cooked and include pancakes, sausages, many kinds of eggs and ham, bacon and corn cakes. the barbecue is lit all through the year, particularly in winter for hunks of meat and pumpkin. I shop, then cook and eat.

Best advice for people entertaining this Christmas party season? Be the host with the most. Give everyone a job to do and tell them they must dress up and bring something special. Don’t do it all yourself but if you do, don’t whinge about it!

Your favourite ingredients? I love beef, I love caramel, I love tofu and thick sticky thai omelettes. and chinese duck and miso. Parsley is underrated, as is vinegar on chips. this list is not exhaustive!

Why do so many of us find entertaining so stressful? Because we try and do it all ourselves. the important thing to remember is that people come to your home to relax and so you should be relaxed too. Get people to help, they like it. and let people help themselves!

Do you have a fast and easy store cupboard recipe that you could share with us? I always TV team: Torode with Gregg Wallace on MasterChef

What do you look for in a MasterChef contestant? all of the things I mentioned above – the natural palate and sensibility for food – and when we find it… wow, do we know!

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Can anyone become a good cook? I feel, like with everything in life, we have natural abilities and some things just don’t work for us. I believe you have to want to cook. there’s also a sixth sense, a touch, a palate – and we don’t all have those things. so maybe no.

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Egg-cellent cooking: Inspiring chef Elizabeth David

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eat

Tuesday, December 2, 2014 METRO HERALD

15

DOugHBOys The newest kid on the sarnie-

Irish Whiskey stones Like your whiskey chilled but worry it makes you look like a philistine? Here’s a compromise: these handsome stone cubes are hewn from a marble quarry in Connemara and have been buffed and polished by stone mason Eric Byrne. Simply pop them in the freezer, then add to your favourite tipple in lieu of ice. Not recommended for those who tend to knock it back... €28, www.makersandbrothers.com

worshipping block, Doughboys is the brainchild of foodie Joey Somers whose love of the Big Apple inspired him to open a city-centre sandwich bar where the emphasis is on big, bold New Yoik flavours. Forget limp BLTs and sad salad rolls, because the sambos at Doughboys are of the plump, no-nonsense variety, thanks in no small part to fresh doorstops of bread courtesy of the Bretzel Bakery.

Choose from Classic Club Dough (roast turkey, smoked bacon, tomato, chipotle and pickle); Meatball (pork and beef meatballs, marinara, provolone and basil); and Porchetta (Italian roast pork, salsa verde and garlic), among other signature fillings. And veggies can content themselves with the Broccoli option, which sees the cruciferous superfood combined with pickled lychee, feta, pine nuts and fried shallots. Metro Life is also a big fan of Doughboys’ baked goods, particularly its dense and devilish chocolate brownies and buttery homemade cookies. Well, it is Christmas...

Charlotte Way (opposite Camden Court Hotel), D2. www.doughboys.ie

T O H List

e h T Jameson Black Barrel series

The ever-popular Jameson Black Barrel Craft Series, which sees some of the country’s most talented artisans showcase their work in a convivial whiskey-seeped environment, enjoys one last hurrah for 2014. Later this week, Jameson master cooper Ger Buckley will, once again, give a live demonstration of the ‘charring’ procedure that gives Jameson Black Barrel its distinctive taste, while designers Acky Fakhry and Cian Corcoran – aka DesignGoat (pictured) – will showcase their wares, including a speciallycommissioned clock inspired by their visit to the Midleton Distillery.

Thu, Old Jameson Distillery, Bow Street, D7. To register for free tickets, visit JamesonBlackBarrel on Facebook

wiches, hot d n a s le ty -s rk o New Y ool whiskey c , e e ff o c c ti a arom ve treats... and more festi piled by Daragh Reddin Com

Proof of the pudding Even if you aren’t going to use it to actually cook your Christmas pudding, just imagine how cute this novel Le Creuset dish would look in your kitchen this December, anyway. €32, lecreuset.co.uk

HOT Off THE sHELvEs FollÁin Jam We’ve all had this heartbreaking experience: you find a half empty jar of jam at the back of the fridge and open it only to be greeted by an icky white fuzz, your dreams of a quick sugar fix dashed. With food waste in mind, the awardwinning Folláin Irish Preserves have just released a triumvirate of new varieties: orange and apricot; strawberry and passionfruit; rhubarb and fig in bijou 180g jars. Slather over crusty fresh bread and enjoy.

RRP, €1.69

Keogh’s Farm roast turKey & secret stuFFing crisps Unlike Brussels sprouts, Keogh’s Roast Turkey Crisps are one festive staple upon which everyone can agree. Back for a third year, the moreish snack is the perfect treat to chomp on as you blub your way through It’s A Wonderful Life on Christmas Day. And the secret ingredient? Well let’s just say it’s not sprouts...

50g bag, €1 and 125g bag, €2.49

Robert Roberts Connoisseur Club

The concept behind the Robert Roberts Coffee Connoisseur Club is a simple but appealing one: every six weeks throughout 2015, members will receive a pack of fresh coffee – whole bean or ground – delivered to their home (eight packages in total), featuring blends specially selected by master coffee roaster Garath Scully. The limited edition coffees are 100 per cent Arabica and sustainably sourced from community operated farms. No fancy gadgetry necessary, simply add a few spoonfuls to your beloved plunger pot, top up with freshly boiled water and enjoy.

Annual membership €49.99, www.robert-roberts.ie

16 METRO HERALD Tuesday, December 2, 2014

s ’ T H g i TOn D

v T 0 1 p O T

Michael Chiklis plays 2 troubled strongman Dell in American Horror Story: Freak Show

3 Morgana Robinson’s take on Mary Magdelene in Psychobitches

1. Elementary

Sky Living, 9pm It may not boast the bravura grandstanding of Sherlock, but this alternative spin on Conan Doyle’s characters, going strong in its third series, has charms of its own. Jonny Lee Miller’s Holmes is endearingly twitchy and understated, tonight getting involved in the theft of a software programme with deadly consequences.

4

1

Bressie is out to help some Limerick kids locate their Teenage Kicks

Jonny Lee Miller is an endearing detective in Elementary

2. American Horror story: Freak show

Fox, 10pm Definitely a contender for the weirdest current TV drama, you need a strong stomach to cope with the story-lines twisted around Ryan Murphy’s gallery of grotesque.

Tonight, strongman Dell is at the mercy of the unscrupulous ringmaster Stanley.

3. psychobitches

Sky Arts 1, 9pm Which female character in history would you choose to take a ranting pop at celebrity culture and taxdodging comedians? In the twisted world of this surreal comedy, that happy role falls to Pocahontas.

Obvious when you think about it.

Excellent female-driven comedy featuring the talents of our own Sharon Horgan (sister of former Ireland rugby star Shane).

5 Sophie Robinson, Tom Dyckhoff and Daniel Hopwood in The Great Interior Design Challenge

4. Bressie’s Teenage Kicks RTÉ2, 10pm

Whether smouldering away in The Voice, campaigning for depression or causing the nation’s womenfolk to swoon collectively at the very mention of his name, you have to hand it to Bressie. Never one to shirk off a challenge, the pop-rocker and former rugby hopeful here infiltrates troubled corners of Limerick, seeking to put together a band to help focus minds and ambitions through music.

5. The great interior Design Challenge

BBC2, 7pm The fun but pretentious answer to Changing Rooms reaches the final of its second series, with two amateur designers having survived the random and often inexplicable decisions of judges Sophie Robinson and Daniel Hopwood. That’s this

YOUR gUiDE TO THis EvEning’s EssEnTiAL viEWing show’s big weakness: why should we accept the decisions of those two when our taste is clearly so much better?

6. Homeland

RTÉ2, 9pm Carrie’s ability to manage the kind of stresses that would turn most of us into nervous wrecks is perhaps her greatest attribute. Tonight, she is hotfooting it around to try and salvage the mission from ruin while her colleagues in the CIA close in on the ambassador’s two-faced husband (an infuriating character who we’ve rather had enough of at this stage).

7. i’m A Celebrity… get Me Out Of Here!

3e & UTV, 8.30pm With the final of this, the tenth series of the show, fast approaching on Sunday, another camper will totter up the rope bridge for a celebratory glass of champers and a chat with hosts Ant & Dec. Hottest contender to win – former footballer Jimmy Bullard – is going to be mighty lonely in there by the time Friday rolls around.

8. Life is Toff

BBC3, 10pm Farewell to the effing and blinding

descendants who make up the younger generation of the posh-butdim Fulford clan. It’s been amusing, in a laughing at a monkeys’ tea party kind of way, but if you wanted an advert for the abolition of inherited privilege, then this is it.

9. The Missing

BBC1, 9pm The switching back and forth between past and present in this gripping story could easily have become irksome. But the contrast between the raw despair of eight years ago, when young Olly disappeared, and the dogged

determination of the present, desperate father Tony a ghost of his former self, is where the emotional punch is packed. It’s a career changing role for James Nesbitt and he makes it count.

10. Today’s Film: The Evil Dead

Film4, 12.20am One for night owls breaking into Wednesday morning, Sam Raimi’s 1981 cult horror classic set in an isolated cabin was dubbed a video nasty when first released, but its low budget thrills, spills and gore have won it a devoted cult fanbase.

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tech&gaming

Tuesday, December 2, 2014 METRO HERALD

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features@metroherald.ie to advertise, call 01 7055010

Super SmaShing gREAT LiTTLeBiGpLaneT 3 PS3/PS4

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ometimes life affords us an offer we can’t refuse, like attacking sonic the Hedgehog with a crack unit of chickens. if you happen to like sega’s turbo-anthropomorphic mammal, fear not, because kicking a football at Kirby, clubbing Pikachu with a baseball bat or devouring a curry and spitting fireballs in the face of the Wii Fit instructor are all fair game in super smash Bros. super smash is the fighting equivalent of mario Kart, where the gloves come off and 50 characters from the Nintendo universe decide to have it out. Although a new version arrived on the 3Ds earlier in the year, there are a few differences to the Wii U entry – and biggest of all is the ability to have an eight-player brawl.

The big release Super SmaSh BroS (12) Wii U the resulting mayhem is a lot of fun, especially as super smash Bros is all about dishing out a dose of slapstick comedy rather than violent confrontation – what else would you expect from a game sporting the dog from Duck Hunt as a playable character? As well as the added graphical power of the Wii U, the other obvious advantage is screen size, which really lets those eight-way battles breathe.

Alongside a long list of Nintendo characters, you can also create and customise your own mii Fighter, as well as entire levels with the included editor.

Also new to Nintendo this week are the Amiibo figurines, similar to those in skylanders and Disney infinity. there are 12 Amiibos of Nintendo’s best-loved characters, and each one stores the data that allows you to create a custom kick-ass Ai fighter.

Given that you can only control one character at a time, having a well-trained Ai army at your disposal can be a big advantage in group matches.

Nintendo scored a Wii U sales surge thanks to the genius of mario Kart and the company will be hoping for a similar boost before Christmas with super smash Bros. it’s taken a while for the Japanese firm to put its dukes up in the current console battle, but it’s got a fighting chance. James Day

Game of ThroneS epiSode one: iron from ice PS3/PS4/XboX 360/Xo/Mac/Pc/ioS if ever there was eagerly anticipated fantasy fodder for a video game, it’s george rr martin’s game Of Thrones. an action role-player based on the series was released back in 2012, but turned out to be as weak as a Joffrey Baratheon slap.

Fear not, for a new adaptation is being forged and a suspense-filled teaser trailer

The Surface pro 3 has all the power and performance of a pr premium laptop aptop in a thin and lightweight design. The all-new

headey, natalie Dormer and iwan rheon among those on board. The story begins at the end of season three and closes before the beginning of season five, so catch up on those box sets now because winter is coming – iron From ice is scheduled for release next month. JD

has us salivating. iron From ice is part one of a six-part episodic action series from Telltale games, makers of The Walking Dead and The Wolf among us. it focuses on house Forrester, which has so far been absent from the hBO show, and features a cast as strong as Valyrian steel, with peter Dinklage (left), Lena

Christmas wish list...

Surface pen comes as standard from €819. an Office 365 subscription iption for f €99 comes with 1 TB of storage giving easy access to your docs with Office mobile apps for iphones, android and Windows phones. it also helps you connect with family and friends across the

Bursting onto the pS4 for the first time, LittleBigplanet gives players the ability to make their own video game. its great potential has not been fully realised as yet, but new characters and a beefier creation tool are just some of the improvements that come with LBp3. presentation on what is ultimately a 2D platformer is creative and delightful and new developers are promising greater precision to go with it. Sackboy now has some playable friends, too – Oddsock the dog can run, climb and jump; Swoop the bird can fly and clasp things; while Little Toggle/Big Toggle can grow and shrink in size. unfortunately, restrictions have been placed on where and when you can play with the new characters and that seems indicative of the game in general, with four-player co-op being stripped back to just one character. in an attempt to make up for this, Sackboy has gadgets galore, including boost boots for jumping, but it’s not quite the giant leap LBp3 could have been. JD

ProMotion

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get reliable wireless freedom from up to 30 feet away plus microsoft touch technology on the go with the arc Touch Bluetooth mouse for just €69.

These Microsoft gifts are available in store or online at Currys, Harvey Norman and PC World across Ireland and at www. microsoftstore.ie.

18 METRO HERALD Tuesday, December 2, 2014

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travel

ubbles and froth everywhere.

The cage shaking violently as my hand clamps the railings to brace myself, back and away from all this. In line with my navel, there is thrashing and squirming and something jabbing into my stomach. It rolls on to its back, revealing a white underside. somewhere through that blizzard of foam, I see red gums, bony sharp parts and muscular fishy bulk.

In a few seconds, the ‘small’ 3m great white shark has freed itself and the bubbles have given way to clear water. I look to my left where previously I had been shoulder-toshoulder with the others. I am met with looks of shock beneath the dive masks of the others, now pressed down the end of the cage.

Above, the lid opens and concerned faces gawp down at me. ‘Are you hurt? Do you need to get out of the cage?’ behind them, whoops and cheers bellow from the boat.

I don’t like bucket lists, the idea that the world’s wonders are an itinerary to be ‘got through’, but since I was an animal-mad child, I’ve wanted to view a great white from an underwater cage. There is simply no other predator to compare with them in terms of mystique and terrible beauty. Carcharodon carcharias has remained anatomically unchanged for some 70million years. This means nature cannot improve on the design.

After years of false starts and weather cancellations, I had finally made it to south Africa’s Western Cape, scraping a two-week trip around a one-day cage-diving excursion with the shark tour company Marine Dynamics. Now I’m getting my wish. And some. before we go any further, the above encounter is not the norm in an activity that is

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features@metroherald.ie to advertise, call 01 7055010

Cage diving with magnificent great white sharks in South Africa was a lifetime ambition for Adam White – only he ended up getting closer than he ever imagined

Apex predators: The great whites of Shark Alley, Gaansbai, and (below), the Slashfin

“a tiny neuron whimpers: ‘What am I doing here?’” worth considerable revenue to south Africa’s tourism industry. No, it seems that Him upstairs with his queer sense of humour, said this day: ‘You want to see a great white, do ya? Fine then…’. The truth is that the whole thing was an accident on the shark’s part, not some spielbergian ploy to sample prime Irish beef. My 3m male had not left himself enough room to turn after an arcing pass at the floating decoy and had got his head stuck.

Fish tend not to reverse so well and his thrashing was an attempt to wriggle free.

Yes, great whites were done a huge PR disservice by the blockbuster maestro when Jaws terrorised beach-lovers across the planet in 1975. It is something Marine Dynamics stresses during a debrief at its HQ in the sleepy seaside village of Kleinsbaai, a stunning two-hour drive east from Capetown.

Our fear of this magnificent fish as a mindless, man-craving monster is one of the great misconceptions of the animal world. wner is a marine biologists with Alison Towner the company. Much of her job involves research to unlock great white mysteries, w, how long they such as how big they grow, ys die in captivity. In live, and why they always front of the 40 or so guests being prepped for unking the many myths the voyage, she is debunking about their taste for humans. Dogs kill about 50 people a year in the us, it transpires. asters viciously slay some 400. Great Toasters whites? sevenn to ten. In the meantime, man kills tens of millions of sharks every year. schooled, watered

and fitted, we are led down to the pier to the slashfin, a state-of-the-art 14m catamaran. We won’t, it appears, be needing a bigger boat.

We zoom 8.5km out across the brilliant blue to shark Alley, a channel separating the nature reserves of Dyer Island and Geyser Rock. The crawling, yelping surface of the latter is a 55,000-strong Cape fur seal colony, that makes the area so attractive for sharks.

The slashfin is anchored by the floating custom-built viewing cage and attached securely. Visibility is the best in months – about 6m.

Into the cage slink the first

eight. To their left, the decoy master and chum handler get oily fishy scents permeating the currents and splash a seal cut-out and a knot of fish meat on the surface.

‘Down right,’ barks the watcher and the eight bobbing heads within the cage promptly duck below the swell. From up above, we see what he is alerting them to. like some undiscovered element between water, oil and smoke, a shark glides in languorously. It makes idle snaps at the dummy, piercing the water with its nose and flashing teeth as it breaks. The grace of something so lar large is spellbinding, as is that trademark pied coloration, so distinct, so iconic.

Gasps release from the deck, while those in the w water come up and blurt out in amazement. by the time it’ it’s my turn, an older female has turned up. she is huge – 4.2m,

Wha

bene the length of a hi-ace, and about a metre in diameter around the head. I gulp for air and go under, again and again, watching the sharks glide in and out of the visibility. Often, they angle upwards from below to a lunge at the decoys. The foreplay of curiosity will then be cut by a sudden spasm of ferocious speed and power.

With their size on full display and that jagged, infamous mouth swelling open, a tiny, primitive neuron fires at the back of your monkey brain that whimpers: ‘What the hell am I doing here?’ It is thrilling, beautiful and unsettling all at once, but never outright scary, even if they pass close, eyeing you inquisitively with a bold circle of midnight blue. back on board, jokes are made about my wetsuit being ‘decommissioned’. The only thing put out of use today, however, are Hollywood scaremongering, monkeys in my brain and fears a lifetime of expectation would be anticlimactic. www.sharkwatchsa.com

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travel

Tuesday, December 2, 2014 METRO HERALD

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features@metroherald.ie to advertise, call 01 7055010

iSland hopping

The Florida Keys are legendary – a string of island pearls scattered loosely south-west off the tip of Florida’s Gold Coast. Connected by the 113-mile, 42-bridge Overseas Highway, this coral cay archipelago includes the Caribbean-style beach resorts of Key Largo, Key West and Islamorada. The state is also home to more than 4,500 other islands. Boca Grande’s Gasparilla Island is all plantation houses and faded ‘Old Florida’ grandeur, epitomised by the glorious 1913 Gasparilla Inn and Club (pictured). www.the-gasparilla-inn.com

Surprise yourself...

Forget what you thought you knew – with 360 days of sunshine per year and great value for money, it’s time to uncover the real Florida, ida, says Maya ya Boy Boyd

recover in STyle

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The Standard Spa, Miami Beach, is the city’s most overwhelming hotel. The property overlooks Biscayne Bay, attracts the cool kids and feels worlds away from the hustle of the beach. The jewel in the crown is the slate-grey hammam, a multi-use space where languid lovelies recline cline on hot marble and indulge in deep-cleansing clay cl massages or yoga while enjoying a juice cleanse (above). standardhotels.com/spa-miami-beach

ice To See you a ride based on disney film Frozen (left), the highest-grossing animated movie ever, is set to be the star attraction at orlando’s epcot theme park when it opens next year. The ride will recreate the world of arendelle, the kingdom of ice princesses anna and elsa. disneyworld.disney.go.com

Surreal SurpriSeS It’s famous for Disney World and spring break but there’s a lot more to the Sunshine State. From historic cities such as St Augustine (America’s oldest city) to the laid-back Clearwater and its Dalí Museum (above, salvador-dali.org), to the fishing villages of the Mexican Gulf, Florida is full of surprises. Its vibrant Latin and Seminole Indian influences make it one of a kind.

TiMe warp hoTelS

Since Miami Beach was declared a city nearly 100 years ago, this slim, sexy barrier island has worked hard to earn its place among worldclass urban destinations. The hotel scene is the envy of the world, with every big player jampacked into the lower half of the town, plus standout boutique properties housed in Miami’s famed deco district (above).

¡Hola!

Learn Spanish and enjoy our culture!

TRAvEL DEALs Of THE wEEk n destination: Lapland. price: €3,486 per family (two adults and one child aged 2-12). details: December 15 or 17. Two nights full board in twin room with sauna.

Return flights, meeting with Santa, free gift for children aged 2-12 years, snowmobile, husky and reindeer sleigh rides, tobogganing, certificate of crossing the Arctic Circle, thermal suit for duration of trip (including infants), taxes and charges. contact: Tel: (01) 5310112 or visit: www.visitsanta.ie n destination: Orlando. price: €2,690. details: February 10, 2015. Nine nights 5* accommodation, room only based on two adults and two children sharing in a quad room. Return flights, taxes and charges. contact: Tel: (01) 2412389 or www.Gohop.ie

n destination: San Francisco and AllInclusive Golden Gate Alaska Cruise. price: €3,325pp. details: May 13, 2015. Two nights 3* accommodation in San Francisco and 11-night cruise in a Concierge Class Stateroom. Return flights to San Francisco ex. Dublin. 123GO! offer including free drinks, free gratuities and up to $300 onboard spend, taxes and charges. contact: Travelmood, tel: (01) 4331023 or visit www.travelmood.ie n destination: Morocco. price: €349pp. details: December 6 and 13, seven nights 4* B&B. Flight/return airport transfers. All taxes and charges. 20kg checked baggage and Sunway rep service. contact: Sunway, tel: (01) 2311800.

n destination: Miami and Eastern Caribbean. price: €1,540pp. Upgrade to 4*/5* accommodation from €270pp/ €285pp. details: May 6, 2015. Three nights 3* accommodation and take a seven-night cruise. Return flights ex.

Dublin including taxes, onboard credit of between $50 and $200 OBC per stateroom. contact: American Holidays, tel: (01) 6733835 or visit www.americanholidays.com n destination: Lanzarote. price: €199pp. details: December 6 and 13. Seven nights 2* self catering accommodation. Flight/ return airport transfers. All taxes and charges. 20kg checked baggage and Sunway rep service. contact: Sunway, tel: (01) 2311800.

D u b l í n

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Lincoln House, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2 http://dublin.cervantes.es

puzzles

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METROSCOPE

by Patrick Arundell

NEMI by Lise

Aries Mar 21 – Apr 20

A Venus-Jupiter alignment enhances feelings of warmth and relaxation, making this an ideal time to pamper yourself and enjoy life’s pleasures. Yet adventure and the call of the wild also beckon.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 70

Taurus Apr 21 – May 21

A conversation with a money expert may be a mine of tips and information, giving you a potential edge if you’re feeling uncertain.

However, if shopping today, go easy as the present alignment might encourage you to splurge.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 71

Gemini May 22 – Jun 21

METROKU Easy, Moderate and Challenging

Today Gemini, you can feel optimistic and hopeful because what’s being discussed is so exciting. As a result, you might find your enthusiasm overrides reason, inspiring you to take action and kick-start the process right away.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 72

cancer Jun 22 – Jul 23

While there’s ample opportunity for brainstorming, some ideas may be impractical when viewed in the cold light of day. Getting the perspective of someone who has the necessary experience could be more than invaluable today.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 73

Leo Jul 24 – Aug 23

PEARLs BEFORE swINE

Clamber (8) Foundation (5) Accounts book (6) Beyond reach (12) Wicked (7) Observe (4) Not easily angered (4-8) Wasted away (8) Plug (7) Narrow band (6) Deduce (5) Bother (4)

Solutions to previous puzzle: Across: 6 Balance; 7 Jolly; 9 Lucky; 10 Promise; 12 Breadwinner; 14 Come to a head; 18 Inhuman; 19 Essay; 21 Petty; 22 Cunning. Down: 1 Vague; 2 Walker; 3 Act; 4 Common; 5 Cluster; 8 Growths; 11 Samovar; 13 Counter; 15 Equity; 16 Absent; 17 Vaunt; 20 Fun.

Ideas that can help you fulfil an ambition may show up, encouraging you to have a go. Meanwhile, the Moon in Aries steadies your nerve and invites you to overcome any fears that have held you back. Money-wise, there’s a chance of a small windfall.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 77

sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 21

Ideas may vie for attention, so it’s best to get them down in writing and think about your priorities. However, a skittish Sun-Uranus link could mean that your best-laid plans go out of the window. Try to be flexible.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 78

capricorn Dec 22 – Jan 20

A more thoughtful mood may contrast the exuberance of other folk who are getting into the festive spirit.

You might feel more motivated to volunteer your services or to reflect on your life in general rather than go out and party.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 80

Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19

Collaborating on big ideas may be possible, especially if folk share your vision. Meanwhile, a warm and delightful Venus-Jupiter link can be perfect for romance or a special evening out in great company.

Pisces Feb 20 – Mar 20

A Mars-Saturn link encourages you to slow down and think about the reality of what you hope to achieve.

Breaking your plan down into small steps could help you iron out potential problems.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 81

For a live one-to-one consultation with one of my gifted psychics, call 15809 113 68 or 1800 719 688 to book using credit card Astrology calls cost 1.27 euros per min from a BT landline. Live Services cost 2.40 euros per minute. Calls from mobiles/other networks may cost more. Callers must be 18 or over to use this service and have the bill payers permission. For entertainment purposes only. All calls are recorded. PhonePayPlus regulated(ComReg in ROI) UK SP: StreamLive Ltd, NR7 0HR, 08700 234 567. ROI SP:Moveda, 1 Courtyard Business Park, Orchard Lane, Blackrock, Co Dublin, 0818 241 398

QuIz

QUIcK cROsswORd

1 2 4 5 6 7 8 12 14 16 18 19

scorpio Oct 24 – Nov 22

ENIGMA Here’s an eg: ‘butcher’s hook’,

became a UNICEF ambassador in 1988.

Which means of course ‘to take a look’.

WHO, WHAT, WHERE & WHEN?

‘China’ comes from ‘china plate’ Which in this lingo means ‘a mate’.

WHO AM I? An actress, I was born in Belgium in 1929. I never reached prominence until I came to America, where my role in Roman Holiday brought me an Oscar. I

WHO... formulated the wave theory of light in the 17th century?

WHAT... is the tympanic membrane more familiarly known as?

WHERE... in Sumer is mentioned in Genesis as Abraham’s homeland?

WHEN... did Alfred the Great die?

QUIZ ANSWERS: ENIGMA: Cockney rhyming slang. WHO AM I? Audrey Hepburn.

WHO, WHAT, WHERE & WHEN? Christiaan Huygens; Eardrum; Ur; 899.

DOWN

For your forecast, call 15609 114 76

Virgo Aug 24 – Sep 23

For your forecast, call 15609 114 75

Cries (4) Reference (8) React (7) Confess (5) Bad luck (12) Diminish (6) Tree (6) Tangle (12) Higher (5) Injurious (7) Shrill (8) Parched (4)

Any plans you make now may take you out of your comfort zone and could be a tad optimistic. However, this won’t stop you contacting friends and getting them to be on your team. Later, today’s sassy line-up could inspire you to organise a meet-up.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 79

Bold and adventurous thoughts bubbling up from the depths may give you the jitters. There’s even a chance you’ll feel uncomfortable entertaining such ideas. But what if they won’t go away? Take one and allow it to percolate, as it could lead to positive change.

1 3 9 10 11 13 15 17 20 21 22 23

– Oct 23

You could find it hard to focus unless what you’re working on is new, creative or challenging. However, come the evening, you’ll be in your element if you have an event to attend and the chance to be the star you are, Leo. For your forecast, call 15609 114 74

ACROSS

Libra Sep 24

SCRIBBLE BOX

20 METRO HERALD Tuesday, December 2, 2014

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Tuesday, December 2, 2014 METRO HERALD

big sam hoping to see back of sakho riddle football

by jAck fOx West ham boss sam Allardyce says Diafra sakho is close to recovering from the back injury he mysteriously picked up while away with senegal. sakho hit a rich vein of form in front of goal before the international break to help the hammers climb into the top six of the Premier League. however, the 24-year-old summer signing from Metz has not featured since returning from the recent Africa Cup of nations qualifiers, with reports claiming poor physiotherapy treatment when away contributed to a minor back problem escalating.

While Allardyce must again do without the forward at West Brom tonight, he is cautiously optimistic sakho could be in contention when swansea visit on sunday. ‘i cannot medically go into anything from a legal point of view other than

picture: getty

HEnRy MuLLs iT OvER AfTER Keane’s Villa is RED buLLs kO departure no concern Villa exit: Keane

thierry henry admits he doesn’t know his next move after leaving new york red Bulls. the former Arsenal and Barcelona striker played his final game in a 2-2 draw on saturday which resulted in a 4-3 aggregate loss to new england in the eastern Conference Championship play-off.

After almost five years in the states the 37-year-old Frenchman said he would now take time out before deciding on his next career move. henry, who has been linked with a coaching role at the

‘We’ll deal with how and why it happened’ the injury occurred not by playing or training,’ said Allardyce, who is considering the possibility of sending members of the club’s medical staff out to January’s Africa Cup of nations finals in equatorial Guinea. ‘i am not legally qualified to make a comment further than he did not get injured while he was training or playing, so i can’t expand on that.

‘But obviously from an internal point of view, the club will deal with it in terms of how it happened, why it happened and what we are going to do about it. ‘he won’t be [out for] too long but it is one big disappointment for him and us. hopefully he will be over it quickly and i hope he will be available for swansea.’

Meanwhile, ecuador forward enner Valencia is back in the hammers’ squad for tonight’s Premier League trip to the hawthorns.

they said it...

‘I hope there is nothing wrong between them.

Sometimes you have to make decisions to take another step.’

Andy Murray’s former mentor Sergio Casal hopes the British No.1 hasn’t fallen out with best mate Dani Vallverdu after his split with his assistant coach

21

51 Goals for Henry in

122 appearances for new York Red Bulls

emirates stadium, said: ‘i am taking this opportunity to announce that unfortunately saturday was my last game. ‘the decision has always been that i would leave after the duration of my contract. i have immensely enjoyed my four-anda-half years here and would like to thank everyone involved with this club who has made my time here so enjoyable. ‘i will now take the next few weeks to reflect and decide on the next chapter of my career.’

u JenSon Button’S future will be decided on thursday when McLaren choose their line-up for 2015. Button (left) and Kevin Magnussen are both waiting to discover whether they will be retained. Boss Ron Dennis said: ‘I’ve not made my mind up yet.’

Fresh hope for Caterham

fORMuLA OnE Caterham have been given

dispensation to compete in 2015 with this year’s car should a buyer be found for the team. The key decision was taken during last week’s F1 Commission meeting in Geneva.

for Warnock

CRYSTAL Palace boss Neil Warnock does not have time to feel sorry for Aston Villa or the position they find themselves in following the exit of Roy Keane.

Villa have reportedly denied claims Paul Lambert’s assistant and Republic of Ireland No.2 Keane had a bust-up with the club’s players before he quit the club last week. Villa visit Selhurst Park tonight without a win in nine Premier League games, leaving them just two points clear of the relegation zone. Palace, in 14th place, are also on 13 points but Warnock (inset) was not prepared to dwell on whether Villa are in freefall.

‘You could have said that about us two weeks ago,’ he said.

‘You can say that about any of the bottom eight or nine teams.

They’ll all have periods where they look like they are in freefall. It is how you come out of it.

‘I like Roy Keane, I have got a lot of time for him personally.

‘So whatever went on behind the scenes, Paul [Lambert] agreed to it and they move on.’

spORT DigEsT Webber can’t recall race crash 3 Centuries MOTORspORT Mark

Webber returns home later this week after a race he admits he cannot recall. Webber is in a Sao Paulo hospital after sustaining concussion from the smash in the World Endurance Championship event at Interlagos. Towards the end, the Australian, 38, lost control of his Porsche and crashed into a barrier. Writing on his website Webber (pictured), who quit F1 at the end of last season to take up sports cars, said: ‘I’ve no recollection of the accident or

how it happened. The team is looking into the details to find out more. Thanks to the medical team at the track and at the hospital who did a great job and are looking after me very well.’

for Judd trump, who beat Fraser Patrick 6-3 to reach the last 16 of the uK Championship in York. trump (pictured) surged into a 4-0 interval lead and, although his opponent battled back, the Bristolian had enough of a cushion to see out the match in comfort.

22 METRO HERALD Tuesday, December 2, 2014

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football premier league

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YOu cAN STAY, buT YOu MigHT NOT pLAY Gerrard offered new deal, but told he’ll see less action

picture: getty

by MATTHEW NASH Steven Gerrard has been told he will have to get used to a reduced role at Liverpool if he agrees to extend his stay beyond the end of his current contract. the midfielder’s existing deal runs out in the summer, by which time he will be 35, and while an offer of new terms on what is believed to be a one-year extension has been made, the player is still mulling over his final decision.

Gerrard has featured in every Premier League match this season with Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Stoke, when he was left on the bench until the latter stages, the first time he had not played the full 90 minutes. the former england skipper has been linked with moves to Italy and america, but anfield boss Brendan rodgers is hoping he will stay.

‘He’s at the stage of his career where it’s not so much the number of games he plays now, it’s about the level of the game – and that’s something I’ll always work with him on and we’ll look at,’ he said. ‘no matter how good a player has been, once they’re coming towards those final years of their career, then of course as a manager, you’re having to taper that in where you think you can get the best out of the player.

‘I’m talking about a player that has still got worldclass talent but of course, when you get that little bit older and maybe physically it’s not quite the same as it was, you have to manage that. It is about managing the period of life he is in.

‘He will continue to be a key player for me and I am hoping we can get a contract sorted.’ rodgers reiterated there was no rift between the pair, a day after Gerrard had stressed the samepoint.

‘Between now and the end of the season he deserves that opportunity to have a think of where it is at, but one thing is clear, I love working with Steven Gerrard,’ he added.

‘We speak a lot and all I can ever be is as honest as I possibly can and offer him respect because he deserves that.’

Tuesday, December 2, 2014 METRO HERALD 23

fOOTbALL DigEST

Form man: Austin

Harry likes idea of a new deal for Austin QPR boss Harry Redknapp expects inform striker Charlie Austin to be offered a new contract but denies Rangers are fighting off interest from other clubs.

Austin is the joint-highest English goalscorer in the Premier League this season having netted seven times, including the winner in a 3-2 victory over Leicester on Saturday. The 25-yearold moved to Loftus Road from Burnley in August 2013 and has 18 months to run on his current deal. ‘I’m sure the club would [like to extend his contract],’ Redknapp said. ‘I don’t get involved in that, it’s up to the chairman [Tony Fernandes] and [chief executive] Phil Beard. I’m sure everyone wants to keep Charlie here and I’m sure they’ll be sitting down and talking to him.’

Dyche: Fine Clarets looking confident BuRnLEy boss Sean Dyche insists a threematch unbeaten run has reinforced his players’ belief that they can cut it in the Premier League.

A draw against Aston Villa on Saturday made it seven points from a possible 12 in november for the Clarets, who entertain newcastle tonight. ‘The good results enforce the belief and enhance it,’ said Dyche (pictured). ‘There is a different look to us now from the outside looking in but we’ve had our belief from the start of the season.’

Sub plot: Gerrard is mulling over a new offer from Rodgers, inset

Skipper may get advanced role STEVEN GErrard could return to the starting line-up for Liverpool’s trip to Leicester.

Brendan rodgers may deploy his captain in an advanced role tonight as Lucas Leiva has done a good job starting the last two matches, against Stoke and Ludogorets, in the defensive midfield role Gerrard has been occupying.

‘Steven was a player who could orchestrate

attacks from deep, with the players we had up front, his quality could exploit that,’ rodgers said. ‘The dynamic up front has changed so I have to think of a restructure so we look at a different type of midfielder to come in.

‘Lucas is aggressive but can also attack.

Ludogorets, Stoke – he’s been excellent. It’s a great credit to him and his professionalism.’

jose mourinho on financial fair play

‘What happened is a big protection to the historical, old, big clubs, which have a financial [and] commercial structure, everything in place based on historical success for years and years.’

Monk won’t sell Wil SWAnSEA boss Garry Monk insists it would take an ‘astronomical fee’ for top scorer Wilfried Bony to leave the club during the January transfer window.

Ahead of tonight’s visit of QPR, Monk said: ‘We don’t have to sell anyone.

Money does dictate things but it would take an astronomical fee for anyone to take him [Bony] anywhere.’

SPORT

24 METRO HERALD Tuesday, December 2, 2014

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‘Completely insane’ Roche after making the final three selection

Gerrard thinking over Liverpool’s contract offer

«see page 23

SWEET pea

Peamount United striker Roche takes on Van Persie for best goal of year

by DAviD HOLLyWOOD

Wonder strike: Stephanie Roche, who now plays for French club ASPTT Albi, could be joining Messi and Ronaldo (far right) on awards podium PictURe: getty

IRELAND ladies striker Stephanie Roche could join Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi on the podium at Fifa’s Ballon d’Or ceremony next month after being shortlisted for goal of the year.

Her spectacular volley for Peamount United may see her become the first woman and first Irish person to win the Puskas Award.

Roche will compete for the title with James Rodriguez and Robin van Persie, who are recognised for memorable World Cup goals.

She tweeted this: ‘Yessssss!!!!!

Come on!! So happy right now, thank u to EVERYONE who has voted for me! oh and if you’s could keep voting please!’

The video of Stephanie’s goal went viral with over three million views and has propelled her onto the world stage.

Roche, 25, moved to France during the summer. The Irish goalscorer signed a one-year contract with first division French club ASPTT Albi.

Tributes poured in over Twitter with Peamount tweeting: ‘So so Proud to see @StephanieRoche9 + our Jersey let’s get Steph over the finish line now, keep voting #VoteForSteph’.

Thousands of goals were narrowed down to a list of ten by Fifa, with the shortlist

and eventual winner being decided on by public vote. Those looking to vote for Stephanie can do so on FIFA.com until the winner is declared on January 12.

The main award sees Ronaldo and Messi joined on the shortlist

by World Cup-winning Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Ronaldo, 29, scooped the prize for the second time last year and is again the favourite having scored 50 goals in 46 appearances for club and country in 2014.

Germany’s Joachim Low and Real’s Carlo Ancelotti were nominated for coach of the year along with La Liga-winning Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone. Gareth Bale, Luis Suarez and Cesc Fabregas are among the contenders for the FIFPro World XI.