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Gazette BLANCH

March 9 - 15, 2017

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Shock as horse dies of starvation and neglect Locals left outraged after distressed cob mare is left to die in freezing muddy field

 MARK O’BRIEN LOCALS reacted with shock and anger at the news that a horse was left to die of stress and starvation in a field in Tyrrelstown last week.

Named Pippa by volun-

teers trying to save her, the seven-year-old cob mare was left tethered to a tree in a field opposite the graveyard on Church Road, with cuts on her legs suggesting she had tried to break free.

However, Pippa died from

heart failure brought on by the cruel conditions she was kept in, with an indoor coat she was wearing compounding her misery as it would have added weight from freezing rainwater.

Local Meadhbh Cahill

wrote on social media: “I live in the area and have reported horses in terrible condition numerous times, but there seems to be no regular checks.

I would love to see people prosecuted for this cruelty.”

Full Story on Page 4

2 BLANCH GAZETTE 9 March 2017

Foroige volunteers go to Sligo

CASTLEKNOCK | COMMUNITY SHOCKED

Boy (16) beaten in house invasion  MARK O’BRIEN

A TEENAGE boy was hospitalised after a number of men broke in to his house in Castleknock and beat him on Sunday evening.

The 16-year-old was taken to Temple Street hospital after five men broke into his home on Fernleigh Drive at around 8.30pm and reportedly beat him with sticks.

His injuries are described as non-life threatening.

According to Independent.ie, the men, who were all wearing hoodies, smashed a front window of the house and forced their way in. The boy suffered cuts and bruises as a result of the attack.

It is believed that the boy’s mother and sister

were in the house at the time but they were not injured in the attack.

The incident was described as “highly unusual” as the family are not involved in crime.

Locals were left shocked by the incident.

Neighbour Jane Park told Independent.ie: “I was actually the first one to hear. All I heard was a lot of thumping. Then I heard glass breaking really loudly and a woman screaming.

“It was a lot of banging and a lot of screaming.

We didn’t actually see the attackers or anything.”

Her brother James added: “I was in the shower so I didn’t know what was going on. My sister thought I had fallen in the bathtub.

“I’ve seen the lad play-

ing around with his mates, but that’s about it. My mum is scared.”

Gardai confirmed that investigations into the incident are ongoing.

A spokesperson said: “Gardai are investigating an aggravated burglary at a house in Fernleigh Drive on March 5 at approximately 8.30pm, in which it is reported that five males forced their way into a house and assaulted a male in his late teens.

“The male was brought to Temple St Hospital.

Investigations are ongoing.” Gardai also confirmed that no arrests have yet been made.

Anyone with any information relating to the incident is asked to contact Blanchardstown Garda station at 01 666 7000.

Great kids help to earn their school a prestigious Green flag

STAFF and students of St Philip the Apostle National School in Mountview were celebrating this week after being awarded a Green Schools flag. The flag is awarded to schools that have an environmentally friendly ethos.

The school have been working for the past two years to reduce litter and waste in the school.

A committee comprising pupils met regularly to plan on how to reduce waste and come up with other ideas to promote an environmentally-friendly ethos. Teachers Irene Brennan and Fiona O’Halloran and school caretaker

Peter Kavanagh also helped the plans.

On Monday, the school hosted a Green Art Gallery. Pupils from junior infants to second class were invited to submit a piece of art that either promoted recycling or was made from recycled material. The day was a great success, with more than 150 entries received. Rounding off the great day, a Green Schools Inspector awarded the school the coveted Green Flag.

The school plan to host a flag raising ceremony in the next month or two.

Well done to all involved on their fantastic Green achievement!

EIGHT volunteers from Blanchardstown were among hundreds of volunteers to attend the Foroige National Volunteer Conference in Sligo last weekend.

Volunteers travelled from all over Ireland to attend the conference involving keynote speaker John Davis, professor of Childhood Inclusion at University of Edinburgh; to participate in workshops and exchange ideas on best practice in youth work. Foroige also launched the results of a survey of 500 Foroige members at the event.

Among the findings were that more than 95% of Foroige volunteers feel they benefit from volunteering, and the biggest benefit volunteers gain from volunteering is ‘a greater sense of belonging’.

Sean Campbell, Foroige chief execitive, also said that there was a shortage of males volunteering.

To join, contact Blanchardstown Foroige at 01 821 2012 or 01 821 2077.

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9 March 2017 BLANCH GAZETTE 3

Fionn Rua in action

It really is Le Crunch time for cover acts FIVE Dublin acts are through to the semi-finals of the popular Le Crunch Apple of My Eye Song Contest, which sees the healthy apple brand team up with Joe.ie to uncover the nation’s best cover act.

Ranelagh’s Mark Campbell joins Ryan Cahill from Palmerstown, Balinteer trio Scoops, Fionn Rua, and Blackrock duo Stephen & Mimi Lane. They along with five other semifinalists from around the country now face a public vote to make the final five.

The final takes place at Whelans on March 23rd with the winner taking home €1,500. Voting ends tomorrow, so get to ouitolecrunchmusic.com and back one of the Dubs!

Toooooo cute!

Aishling Monaghan sent in this snap of gorgeous 14-month-old Katie Smith

SPRING is in the air, and the Gazette’s Bonnie Baby competition is in full swing.

We’ve had a wonderful response from mums, dads, proud grandparents and family friends, who’ve shared some of the cutest photos we’ve ever seen.

The competition will run for the entire month of March, so keep sending in those wonderful snaps of your little ones – we’ll feature as many as we can in the paper each week until April 6th.

We have some great prizes to give away – including two hampers worth €90 each from our friends at NUK Ireland – and one lucky winner will win a free family or newborn photoshoot worth €180 from Gazette photojournalist and expert baby photographer Ali, of Alison O’Hanlon Photography.

So keep sending in those snaps to competitions@dublingazette.com or via our Facebook page – and don’t forget to include your details and your baby/ toddler’s name and age!

Goo-goo Gazette readers show off their pride & joys

9-month-old Parker Daly

Isla at just 5 weeks

This little cutie was sent

Fabio Soares sent in this

in by Ciara O’Sullivan

gorgeous photo

Ben is just 6 months old

Finn Horgan

4 BLANCH GAZETTE 9 March 2017

CRUELTY | LOCALS EXPRESS SHOCK AND SADNESS AT DEATH OF ANIMAL  MARK O’BRIEN Pippa had been left tethered to a tree and had cuts on her legs possibly from trying to break free

‘Another innocent animal destroyed and let down by people’

LOCALS expressed shock after a horse was left to die of stress and starvation in a field in Tyrrelstown last week.

The seven-year-old cob mare was left tethered to a tree in a field opposite the graveyard on Church Road and died from heart failure brought on by the cruel conditions she was kept in.

Locals alerted My Lovely Horse Rescue (MLHR) – a volunteer-run charity that rescues and rehomes horses who have been mistreated – on Thursday night after it became apparent that the horse could not stand up on its own.

Volunteers from the organisation arrived at the scene, along with a vet from Ratoath Vets, but it was too late to save the mare, who they named Pippa.

In a statement on their Facebook page, MLHR said: “Pippa deserved so much more than this. Cruelty and negligence left her suffering in appalling conditions in the last days of her life.”

Concerned residents also attended the scene, with one person donating their jacket so that Pippa could rest her head on it while she was tended to by the vet.

Locals expressed shock and sadness on social media and said that it was an ongoing problem in the area.

Eileen Thomas commented: “Rest in peace Pippa.

Another innocent animal destroyed and let down by people.”

Meadhbh Cahill added: “I live in the area too and have reported horses in terrible condition numerous times, but there seems to be no regular checks of the area. I would love to see people prosecuted for this cruelty. Really upsetting.”

Pippa had been left tethered to a tree for some time and had cuts on her legs from where she possibly became tangled in the rope trying to break free.

She was also wearing an indoor coat, which added to her suffering as it would have allowed rain to soak through, making her cold as well as adding extra weight to her body.

MLHR are appealing to locals to pass on any information about Pippa’s owner to the gardai.

They said: “We want to find and prosecute this person. There are laws in place to prosecute against animal/horse cruelty.”

They have asked that anyone with information contact Garda Barry Thomey at Blanchardstown Garda Station at 01 666 7000.

Blanch man guilty of the murder of Daniel McAnaspie A BLANCHARDS TOWN man has been found guilty of the murder of Daniel McAnaspie after a week-long trial.

Richard Dekker (30), was found guilty by a unanimous jur y verdict of the 17-year-old’s murder at Tolka Valley Park on February 26, 2010.

The jury deliberated

for eight hours before reaching the verdict.

The conviction made legal history as it is the first time a person has been retried under the Criminal Justice Procedure Act 2010.

Retry This Act allows the State to retry a person even af ter they have

been acquitted.

Dekker was acquitted by the trial judge in 2013 on the grounds that there was not enough evidence.

He now faces a mandatory life sentence.

Last month, Trevor Noone pleaded guilty to manslaughter for his role in the teenager’s death.

FASTNews Protective Services Unit for Dublin 15

GARDAI have confirmed that a Protective Services Unit is to be located in the Dublin West region by the middle of this year.

The news was confirmed in response to a question down by Cllr Roderic O’Gorman (GP) at the recent meeting of the Fingal Joint Policing Committee.

Nationally, the Protective Services Bureau deals with a range of specialist crimes, including sexual and domestic violence, the management of sex offenders, prosecuting organised prostitution and investigating missing persons.

Cllr O’Gorman said it was an important development that D15 will now have a unit specialising in dealing with these crimes.

Prescription charges cut LOCAL TD and Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar has confirmed that medical card holders aged 70 and over in west Dublin can now avail of reduced prescription charges, and so can their dependents.

He said: “The Government’s new health legislation is good news for older people in west Dublin as it reduces their prescription charges.

“It’s estimated that as many as 10,000 pensioners in D15 and D7 could benefit from this change.

“The maximum prescription charges for those aged over 70 years with medical cards – and their dependents – is being reduced from €2.50 to €2 per item.

“Maximum prescription charges will be reduced from €25 to €20 per family per month,” said Minister Varadkar.

9 March 2017 BLANCH GAZETTE 5

6 BLANCH GAZETTE 9 March 2017

Out and About

Tennis club’s night makes a fun racket C

ASTLEKNOCK Lawn Tennis Club kicked their 2017 social year off to a rocking start last week. There was prizegiving for the recent Geisha-sponsored ladies and gents team tennis – an event in which almost 300 members of all levels participated over six weeks during January and early February.

This was followed by great food from Geisha and live music from the The Rat Pack 2 who were making their debut performance at the club.

The members switched their fancy footwork from the tennis courts to the dance floor as they partied until the early hours.

The club welcomes new members of all ages and abilities and is currently open for membership. Contact Mary at 087 430 6380, or email membership@cltc.ie.

9 March 2017 BLANCH GAZETTE 7

Pictured at NovaUCD were winners Lucy Leonard from Offaly; Ciara-Beth Ni Ghríofa from Galway; Ella Brennan from Kilkenny; George Hennessy from Cork and Steven Harris from Luttrellstown Community College in Dublin. Pictures: Colm Mahady / Fennells

Oh Mi – teens come up with a great autism app A TALENTED group of teenagers from Dublin, Galway, Cork, Kilkenny and Offaly claimed the winning spot at the 2017 BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp with their project, entitled Mi Contact. The winners were selected by a judging panel of accomplished business professionals following an intensive four-day workshop at NovaUCD. The team impressed the judges with their well-planned and thought out business pitch for their project, which is an app based on applied behavior analysis to enhance early intervention programmes, and to encourage children with autism to make eye contact.

Pictured are Laura Weldon from Loreto Balbriggan; Alhil Voorakkar from Luttrellstown Community College; Emma Kleiser Byrne, Loreto Balbriggan; Steven Harris, Luttrellstown Community College and Sophie Weldon, Loreto Balbriggan who took part in this year’s BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp at NovaUCD Dublin

8 BLANCH GAZETTE 9 March 2017

TYRRELSTOWN | WOMAN MAKING A DOCUMENTARY TO SHOW HOW GREAT THE AREA IS

Sharing real community spirit  MARK O’BRIEN LIFE in Tyrrelstown will be documented in a new book and film by a resident who wants to give something back to her community.

Carol Azams, originally from Nigeria, moved to Ireland 14 years ago and has been living in Tyrrelstown for the past nine years.

A keen writer with a background in communications, Carol wants to document the lives of ordinary residents of the area and show Tyrrelstown in a positive light.

She told The Gazette:

“Having lived here for nearly nine years I’ve come to love the place and feel strongly about being a part of this community.

“With a such a strong sense of community and pride of place, and the conviction to leave a written legacy, I started working on my new book about Tyrrelstown.”

Evolving plans As she worked on the book, her plans gradually evolved to incorporate a documentary film as well.

Carol filmed everything herself, which was a challenge as she had no

previous experience in the area.

But thanks to persistence and a willingness to learn as she goes along, she has now almost completed filming and hopes that a trailer for the documentary will be ready soon.

She said: “Both projects have been very challenging and at the same time very rewarding for me because I have delved into the communities and cultures of the people who now live here.

“I have managed to unearth so much information I did not previously realise before about

Carol Azams with Minister Leo Varadkar

Tyrrelstown.”

Local residents, along with well-known people

from around the area, have been more than happy to take part and

Carol has been blown away by the response.

“So far, the response has been amazing and I’m proud of being able to give something back to the community,” she said.

“I did not consciously set out to start filming a documentary but all the people and personalities that I approached to talk to and who are now featured in the documentary have been pleasantly receptive.”

Carol has spoken to local politicians such as former Tanaiste Joan

Burton, Deputy Ruth Coppinger and Minister Leo Varadkar, as well as a host of ordinary residents who make Tyrrelstown the welcoming place that it is.

The documentary, The Making of Tyrrelstown, and a book entitled Tyrrelstown – Our Pride of Place will be available soon.

For further updates on the project, keep an eye on the Tyrrelstown Documentary Facebook page (facebook.com/Tyrrelstown-Documentary).

Couple hoping to get son to America for vital treatment A BLANCHARDS TOWN couple have launched a campaign to raise funds for treatment for their son, who was recently diagnosed with a form of muscular dystrophy.

Vincent Lyons (6) was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in January, which is the most common and severe form of muscular dystrophy.

His parents, Vivien Colmey and Alan Lyons, are hoping to raise enough money to allow them to travel to America where a new drug is available that can slow down the disease.

Vivien told The Gazette that her family’s world had been turned upside down after they received the news.

She said: “We were absolutely devastated.

But now we’re trying to be a bit more positive about the fact that Vincent is one of 13% of boys who is actually eligible for treatment that is available in America, so that did give us a bit of hope.”

DMD is a rare genetic condition that affects one in every 3,500 boys and is extremely rare in girls.

The disease causes weakening and wasting of the muscles, with most patients losing the ability to walk by the age of 10 to 12. It also leads to chest and heart troubles.

The average life expectancy for someone suffering from DMD is 26, but with treatment patients can live longer.

A drug called eteplirsen is available in America but will not be available in Ireland for at least another two years.

Vivien contacted the makers of the drug to ask if it could be released earlier in Ireland on compassionate grounds, but this was rejected due to the costs involved.

Move to America As it is essential that he gets this treatment before losing ambulation, Vivien and Alan are hoping to move to America for two years so that Vincent can avail of the treatment there until it is available in Ireland.

The couple have set up a Facebook page (facebook.com/Victory4Vincent) to keep people up to date with their progress and share news of fundraising events, with

a GoFundMe page to follow in the next week.

T he first fundraising event is a pub quiz which will be held in the Clonsilla Inn on Friday,

March 24.

A benefit night is planned for Westmanstown on June 10 and there are a number of other events in the works.

9 March 2017 BLANCH GAZETTE 9

10 GAZETTE 9 March 2017

Out and About

Marian Power and Krisztina Bolla

Patrick Delaney and Mary Delaney

Ryan Tubridy launches first children’s book Patrick Kelly, Ryan Tubridy and PJ Lynch. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Eoin Colfer and Jackie Colfer

Joe Duffy and Rachel Tubridy

Orla McDermott

Lee Motherway

R

TE broadcaster Ryan Tubridy was joined by his mother Catherine, sister Rachel and brother Garrett at the launch of his new book, Patrick and the President at Dubray Books in Grafton Street last week. The book tells the story of John F Kennedy’s return to his ancestral home in Ireland through the eyes of a young boy. Kennedy described his four-day visit to Ireland in 1963 as the best four days of his life, while it was also a trip never forgotten by a generation of Irish people.

Janet Hickey and Judith Tubridy

Barbara Hughes and PJ Lynch

Georga Longhurst and Deirdre Scully

9 March 2017 GAZETTE 11

Out and About

John Hoyne , Eamon McCormack and John Gleeson

Michael Carr, Powers ambassador and Donall O’Keeffe, chief executive of the Licensed Vintners Association. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Karen Moran and Laura Moriarty

Willie Ahern, Joe O’Rorke and Gerry Cooley

A powerful launch for limited edition whiskey T

HE Brian Boru pub in Glasnevin was in high spirits last week as a special limited edition Powers 1817 was launched to mark 200 years of the Licensed Vintners Association. The function was attended by many of Dublin’s leading vintners. The venue was a fitting one, as this was the last pub to serve whiskey from the wood – until 1973.

Louise Ryan and Tom Doorley

James Rafferty and Jamie Sweeney

GAZETTE

12 GAZETTE 9 March 2017

DUBLINBUSINESS

€5k prize to drive Give Peas a Chance contest

Paul Coffey, vice president Allergan; An Taoiseach

 EMMA NOLAN

Enda Kenny; Brent Saunders, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Allergan; Francis Bates, vice president, Global Solid Oral Dose Manufacturing, Allergan and Pat O’Donnell, senior vice president global manufacturing, Allergan

Allergan marks its 40th with a €42m investment ALLERGAN marked 40 successful years of business in Ireland by confirming an investment of €42m in its Irish operations in 2017.

The company, which employs approximately 1,700 people in Ireland, also announced details of a new €50,000 Innovation Award Programme with colleges around the country.

Allergan also announced that it will become the official sponsor of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation as part of a threeyear sponsorship.

Prestigious programme for female-led start-ups THE DCU Ryan Academy for Entrepreneurs is calling on female-led start-ups to apply for its prestigious Female High Fliers Accelerator Programme 2017.

Since its launch in 2014, over 40 female entrepreneurs have participated in the programme and have continued to achieve impressive results.

Some 35 businesses have received investments totalling €7 million, Businesses have continued to expand, creating 115 jobs and 19 businesses are now exporting their products and/or services.

Supported by Enterprise Ireland, the 13-week accelerator programme aims to address challenges facing female entrepreneurs across all industries and support Ireland’s top early stage start-ups in fast tracking their business to achieve scale.

Ten selected participants will gain access to a peer start-up founder network and to the DCU Ryan Academy network of experienced entrepreneurs and investors. They will take part in weekly tailored workshops delivered by a team that understands the particular needs and challenges facing their individual business.

They will also be challenged on their business plans and be given an opportunity to pitch to potential investors. The application process is open to female founders or co-founders of Irish or international innovative start-ups less than five years old.

All companies must be female-led and participants will be selected based on their growth and export potential as well as business idea and team strength.

The closing date for applications is Tuesday, March 21. For further information visit http://www.ryanacademy.ie/

CULLY Allen of the Cully & Sully food business returned to his old school this week to share his success story behind one of Ireland’s biggest food businesses and launched an inaugural competition entitled Give Peas a Chance.

This initiative aims to foster a spirit of food entrepreneurship in Irish secondary schools and discover Ireland’s next young food entrepreneurs.

Secondar y schools across the country are now invited to take part in the competition, which combines food growing and entrepreneurship to engage and inspire students to grow their own peas and to devise a soup recipe using what they have grown to come up with a product, which Cully & Sully will produce.

Through this initiative growing kits will be delivered to 7,500 students across the country. The kits include everything

the students need to grow peas including seeds, pots, soil and plenty of growing tips from Grow It Yourself (GIY). Students are asked to pair up in order to undertake the challenge.

According to Michael Kelly, founder of GIY: “This initiative enables students to learn first hand about food enterprise right from the seed onwards. We know that to make good food you need great ingredients and you can’t get better than growing your own.

“We feel that this initiative will help to accelerate even more brilliant food starts ups in our local food system in the future.”

Cullen said: “We are really hoping to inspire a new generation of food entrepreneurs. Learning at our mother’s kitchen tables gave us our passion for good food and we’re grateful for that every day.

“We hope to see that passion grow in these junior entrepreneurs.

Pea soup may seem simple but with the creativity and ingenuity that we

Pictured at the launch of the Give Peas a Chance competition is Michael Kelly with Cully Allen, of Cully & Sully, and students Aimee Browne, Molly O’Shea, Sarah McDaid and Sacha O’Neill. Picture: Patrick Browne

know Ireland’s young people have we can’t wait to see what they come up with.”

During Give Peas A Chance, students will be allocated a series of challenges and in the final phase they will be asked to file the details of their own “ReciPEA For Success” using their homegrown peas as inspirations for a brand-new soup recipe.

A number of these student ReciPEAs will then make the shortlist and the students will be invited to a Dragon’s Denstyle pitch scenario at the home of GIY, GROWHQ in Waterford, on May 25 where a winning team of two will be selected and crowned the Give Peas A Chance champions.

The winning students will be awarded a prize pot of €5,000 which

includes a €3,000 food garden for their school, two iPads for the winning team of two students and the brand-new winning soup recipe will be produced by Cully & Sully and served at the GIY Cafe GROW HQ. Schools and teachers planning to participate in this nationwide competition can sign up to take part at http://www.cullyandsully.com/ourgarden.

Local Enterprise Week a must for SMEs LOCAL Enterprise Week 2017 is currently running, until March 11, with a week to inspire and motivate thousands of entrepreneurs and small business owners in Dublin city.

A host of mainly free events are available to help get business up and running.

The week-long programme of mentoring, advice and networking highlights the services and supports available to SMEs and start-ups in Dublin through their Local Enterprise Office in Dublin’s Civic Offices, as well as providing a selection of events and workshops, tailored to inspire and inform.

The week enjoyed a fantastic start on Sunday, March 5 with the national final of Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) competition in Google Headquarters.

Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Dublin City

client Samuel Dennigan won the Best Start Up Business award after brilliantly pitching to the judges and audience about the benefits and uniqueness of his Strong Roots food business.

Some of the main events of the week included Digital Day, which was celebrated yesterday, March 8, and helped demonstrate to businesses how to maximise their business online.

International Women’s Day was also celebrated yesterday through the Women in Business Network. More than 200 female entrepreneurs and businesswomen attended an event to encourage them to develop their business and ideas further.

Today, Thursday March 9, the LEO Dublin city and the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) will be supporting the e-Commerce Association of Ireland (eCAI) by hosting a

full day e-commerce seminar.

A creative industries half day event will take place tomorrow, Friday March 10, in the Chocolate Factory – a co-working space for entrepreneurs.

The week’s activities culminate with a Start Your Own Business Boot Camp this Saturday, in the Guinness Open Gate Brewery, including expert mentoring sessions and guest speakers.

Full details of all events, venues and booking links are available on the LEO Dublin City site: https://www.localenterprise.ie/DublinCity/Training-Events/LocalEnterprise-Week-2017/Local-EnterpriseWeek-2017.html Nationally, 14,500 small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs are expected to have attended more than 380 events during Local Enterprise Week.

Let The Gazette take you on a tour of what’s on across the county this week

How concert ticket reselling is really costing you money

SQUASH IS A SHY DOG, BUT HAS A LOT OF LOVE TO SHARE WITH YOU

P16

OUR Dog of the Week looking for their #SpecialSomeone is Squash, a three-yearold female Lurcher.

She is a beautiful, gentle soul but is currently lacking in self confidence, so Squash would love a family who will take their time getting to know her and allow her to come out of her shell at her own pace.

Reassure Squash would hugely benefit from having the company of a confident, friendly dog to help her settle into her new home and reassure her that she is finally home and can relax.

Her ideal home will have a garden, as she likes to potter about and have a good sniff at life!

If you can be Squash’s #SpecialSomeone, then please contact Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off Exit 5 on the M50.

Map and directions can be found on their website, www.dogstrust. ie. You can also find them on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/ ogstrustirelandonline, or on Twitter @DogsTrust_ IE.

DIARY P14 STYLE P18 MOTORING P19

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GAZETTE

DUBLINLIFE

9 March 2017 GAZETTE 13

James Hendicott investigates the slowly rising impact for fans and asks if enough is done to tackle the issue

GAZETTE

14 GAZETTE 9 March 2017

DUBLINLIFE

A tree-rific way to help promote our great natural resources Applegreen chief executive Bob Etchingham with biologist Eanna Ni Lamhna and Kevin Hutchinson, president of the Tree Council of Ireland, along with their little helper, Lily, who dug deep to plant the first of over 100 crab apple trees that Applegreen will donate to their stores nationwide as part of Annual Tree Week. Picture: Maxwells

A NUMBER of tree-mendous events are taking place this week as part of National Tree Week - an annual event organised by the Tree Council of Ireland, supported by Coillte to raise awareness of and promote the planting and care of trees around Ireland.

Applegreen are sponsoring the events taking place over the week and encouraging individuals, families, schools and local communities to get up, get out and explore the trees, parks and forests in their local areas.

According to most recent research carried out by the Heritage Council, 40% of children in Ireland between the ages of 7 – 11 have never climbed a tree and 10% have never visited a forest or a wooded area.

Stand-out events

include an Augustine Henry Forestry Lecture in the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin today [March 9], A poem as lovely as a tree school poetry competition at Pearse Museum, St Enda’s Park on Saturday March 11 and a guided nature walk through Massy’s Wood in Kilakee on Sunday, March 12.

Speaking at the launch event in Lusk, Applegreen CEO Bob Etchingham said: “Applegreen is delighted to be sponsoring National Tree Week for the first time in 2017.

“At Applegreen we are committed to playing our part in achieving a more sustainable future for Ireland. We want to encourage all of our customers and the public to show their love for trees, either by planting them, learning about them or simply

getting outside and enjoying them.

“We hope that people will get involved in all of the events that are taking place in their local area during Applegreen National Tree Week 2017”.

ABSEIL OFF CROKER TO HELP THE ISPCC ATTENTION daredevils.

Ever wanted to abseil off the roof of Croke Park?

Well, now’s your chance.

Last August, the ISPCC ran a hugely successful abseil in Croke Park where participants had the opportunity to abseil off the roof of the stadium.

The feedback from those who took part was extremely positive so the charity has decided to run the event again this April.

Home to the headquarters of the GAA, Croke

Park is the third-largest stadium in Europe. The iconic grounds present a unique venue for the ISPCC Abseil, which will take place on Saturday and Sunday, April 29 and 30.

Participants are asked to pay a deposit of €50 and fundraise a minimum of €200. Places are limited so to ensure your place register at ispcc.ie.

VOLUNTEER TO HELP SPINA BIFIDA GROUP SPINA Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland (SBHI) is currently offering volunteering opportunities to people who wish to help improve the quality of life for people with a disability.

Each summer, SBHI runs its SHINE (Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus, Ireland, Nurturing, Empowerment) pro -

gramme which encourages participants to develop their independence and social skills in a fun and safe environment.

SHINE also offers valuable respite for the participants, their parents, and/or carers.

SHINE takes place over five separate weeks in different venues and each week is tailored to meet the needs of specific age groups.

In the region of 100 participants attend SHINE every year, along with a dedicated team of volunteers and staff.

SBHI is currently recruiting volunteer liaison officers and care and activity volunteers.

Members of the public, men and women, aged over 18 years, have the opportunity of being involved in SHINE as care and activity volun-

teers. Anyone interested in volunteering can apply online at www.sbhi.ie/ shine_volunteer_recruitment or phone Louise or Helen on 01 457 23 29.

All short-listed applicants must attend an interview, scheduled for March and April each year; must sign the terms and conditions agreement at time of interview; undergo a Garda background check, and participate in training.

EXCITING, CREATIVE DESIGNER-MAKERS DUBLIN has the chance this month to see the work of “Future Makers”.

Shape the Future is an exhibition running in NCAD this month that provides a chance to see new work by twenty of Ireland’s most exciting and creative designermakers, who have been

awarded Design & Craft Council of Ireland’s Future Makers prizes and development funding over the past seven years.

The designers being showcased work across fashion, jewellery, accessories, textiles, furniture, product design, glass, ceramics and leather.

Speaking ahead of the launch, the curator of the exhibition, Angela O’Kelly, NCAD head of design for body and environment, said: “Irish design and craft is having a moment.

“Irish designer-makers are growing with confidence, adapting traditional techniques and combining them with new materials and processes to create unique works.”

For more information, including opening hours, visit www.ncad.ie.

9 March 2017 GAZETTE 15

Make the move to an active lifestyle

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GAZETTE

FEATURE

AN INTERNATIONAL Parkour star took her skills to the streets of Dublin last week.

Katie McDonnell, a 26-year-old celebrity stunt double from Windsor and the UK’s leading female Parkour athlete was in town to launch Lucozade Sport’s “Made to Move Sessions”.

“Made to Move Sessions” are a series of highprofile events sponsored by Lucozade Sport, which will take place over the next 12 months aiming to champion active lifestyles.

To help launch the campaign and demonstrate how our bodies are made to move, Katie performed a series of jaw dropping parkour stunts against some of Dublin’s most iconic landmarks.

Her stunning freestyle run through Dublin was captured in a video trailer to launch Lucozade Sport’s Made to Move Sessions.

To watch Katie’s moves and find out how to get involved in Lucozade Sport’s Made To Move Sessions, go to Lucozade Sport Ireland’s YouTube channel here or Facebook Page LucozadeSportIRL #madetomove Speaking at the launch, Katie said: “This is my first trip here and I’ve absolutely loved freerunning through the capital. I’ve been blown away by the friendly reaction I’ve received, and the landscape has been really varied and cool to perform against.

“I’m so proud to get behind Lucozade Sport’s Made To Move campaign and help encourage people to move more and get more active.”

9 March 2017 GAZETTE 17

DUBLINLIFE TICKET SALES FOR POPULAR ARTISTS SUCH AS J.COLE AND ED SHEERAN SHOW THE SCALE OF THE TOUT AND RESELLER PROBLEM THEIR TICKETS SOLD OU T VERY QUICKLY – ONLY FOR TICKETS WITH INFLATED PRICES TO SWIFTLY POP UP ON RESELLER WEBSITES HOW CAN WE STOP THIS?

FEATURES

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO STOP THE TOUTS FROM CASHING IN ON YOUR LOVE FOR MUSIC?

T BANDS EVEN THE BIGGESLIKE U2, IN THE WORLD, THE ARE VICTIMS OF G EVER INCREASIN IMPACT OF TOUTS

JAMES HENDICOTT INVESTIGATES THE GROWING PROBLEM OF TICKET RESELLING, WHICH IS STRIKING AN EVER SOURER NOTE

ISSUES surrounding ticket sales are growing again in Dublin, as the highlyprofitable secondary ticket market ramps up for the summer peak.

Ticket touting remains legal in Ireland, though Deputy Noel Rock (FG) recently put forward a motion looking to criminalise the resale of tickets at above their official price.

Since his tabling of the bill earlier this year, Deputy Rock has received protesting submissions from the likes of the IDA – Ireland’s foreign direct investment body.

The IDA highlight the value of the companies leading the market – some of whom have Irish headquarters – to our economy.

For punters, though, this is a growing problem.

Firms such as Viagogo and Seatwave (the latter a Ticketmaster-owned company whose resale options appear on the Ticketmaster website, highlighted once the original offering is sold out) are highlyprofitable agencies.

This is particularly clear to see with big-name gigs.

A ticket for U2 in Croke Park this summer, for example, starts at €240 on Seatwave at the time of writing (face value €44), and goes up as high as €1,000 (face value €200).

Ed Sheeran – who has personally spoken out against above face-value reselling this month on his Twitter account – has seen tickets for his 3Arena date listed at over €600 each (face value €77), while a ticket to Ireland’s potential Six Nations decider against England will set you back almost €1,200

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

‘The Glastonbury festival has demonstrated it is possible to thwart touting – in their case, tickets feature a picture of the buyer, are non-transferable, and must be accompanied by photo ID to allow entrance’

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

after booking fees (face value €60).

In the case of J.Cole, whose 3Arena date sold out shortly after going on sale in late February, tickets were allegedly on Seatwave ahead of the show’s swift sell-out.

With such a quick turnaround allowed, and highly inflated prices, it’s hard to believe these tickets were not bought with profit in mind.

In some cases, the reselling company stands

to make more in resale fees than the total original ticket price.

There are, of course, tickets for lesser events available for more reasonable rates – in some cases, close to or even below face value – but such sales also feature far higher associated charges than the first buy.

These rates are industry standard, and similar with rival companies such as Viagogo and Stubhub.

There have also been

reports of the sites occasionally being less than reliable.

Dubliner Colin Lee, for example, told The Gazette of his experience buying a ticket to Elbow at the Olympia theatre last month, only to be denied entry on arrival as the ticket had already been used.

This issue is not unique to Ireland.

MP Nigel Adams commented in the British parliament last week: “Tickets to the hit musical Hamilton are touted for upwards of £5,000, when companies like Viagogo know only too well that tickets re-sold are invalid for entry [this is frequently the case in Ireland, too].

“It’s unfair and not indicative of a market that works for everyone. What will the govern-

ment do to ensure genuine fans are not fleeced by touts and rogues?”

Stephen Byrne, editorin-chief of Irish music website Goldenplec, concurred, arguing: “Vendors need to do more to protect music fans and their customers”.

He added: “I’ve no doubt that artists will be looking at the growing resale market with tickets sometimes selling at eight to ten times face value, and that the base ticket price will increase.

“Many people will be priced out of the market altogether.

I find it

FANS ARE INCREASINGLY SOLD OUT, WASTING THEIR TIME QUEUEING – ONLY FOR TOUTS, BOTS AND RESELLERS TO TAKE WHAT THEY CAN GRAB TO TURN A QUICK BUCK

hard to believe that vendors cannot track which tickets are being resold at extortionate prices, and cannot do more to stop people who buy simply to make a profit by reselling.”

When some of the companies involved in both first and subsequent sales are under the same ownership – as with Seatwave and Ticketmaster – it’s equally hard to see why the original vendors would be particularly motivated to prevent such profiteering.

Should Deputy Rock’s proposal fail, the road ahead could be still bleaker.

As Bos-

ton-based music fan Anthony Grice explains, for example, the scenario in the more developed American market is still worse: “Essentially all sporting events and many gigs/shows are blighted by this now.”

He explained further: “People with money to burn will buy extortionately priced sports season tickets, then put all the games they can’t go to online at two or three times face value.

“Real fans struggle to get tickets, and only fans who can afford to drop a ton on a

GAZETTE

GAZETTE

16 GAZETTE 9 March 2017

ticket can go.

“Gigs are almost as bad.

Bots [automated computer programmes] buy the tickets up, and they sell out in seconds. Then they’re all on secondary sources for two or three times the face value.”

There are alternatives in Ireland, though they depend on ‘genuine reason’ sellers opting to decline the high-value resale option.

Popular site Toutless. ie uses a forum format to resell tickets strict-

ly at face value. Adverts. ie also has a policy prohibiting sale at above face value.

Meanwhile, events such as the UK festival Glastonbury have demonstrated it is possible to thwart touting – in their case, tickets feature a picture of the buyer, are non-transferable, and must be accompanied by photo ID to allow entrance.

So long as for-profit reselling remains legal, however, it will

be the preserve of the occasional insistent artist to go above and beyond to protect their fans.

Elsewhere, there will be speculative ‘buy to sell’ buyers looking to cash in, and event-goers willing to pay.

A large market exists where often only profiteers and those who own the platform stand to win.

Those absorbing the costs of r unning an event see no benefit, and with profit-driven buying, those desperate to attend ultimately lose out.

GAZETTE

18 GAZETTE 9 March 2017

DUBLINLIFE

 EMMA NOLAN Style Editor

d an Isl 5 er €3 Riv ey top Gr

STATEMENT sleeves are one of the most prominent trends of 2017 thus far – and the bigger the better!

This trend is simultaneously super fun and utterly chic – from bell-shaped, to ruffle, bishop and cold shoulder, the arms are stealing the spotlight.

Some attention-grabbing favou-

rites are available all across the high street right now, with seemingly endless variations.

A great accent to any outfit, a statement sleeve elevates every outfit, instantly creating a silhouette to die for.

Check out Zara, Topshop and Asos for their great takes on the statement sleeve.

STYLE Zara Denim crop top €30

SLEEVE NOTES Zara Plush sweatshirt €40

HEY KIDS, THIS ONE’S FOR YOU  EMMA NOLAN

CALLING all fashionable Dublin kids! Arnotts is hosting its Children’s Fashion Weekend in April which will see the children’s department transformed into a festival of fun!

The highlight of the April 1-2 weekend are the “kids-only” fashion shows, which will be hosted

by Reuben the Entertainer.

Four high-energy fashion shows will take place on Saturday, April 1, where young fashionistas will take to the catwalk to showcase top brands from the Arnotts childrenswear department.

Brands on the catwalk will include Boss, Ralph Lauren, Guess, Lego, Losan, Lelli Kelly, KG, Rachel Riley, Billie Blush

and Billy Bandit, to name just a few.

In between fashion shows, the Vicky Barry Dance Troupe will be doing a number of performances, while a robot dancer will be busy entertaining guests and a magician will be in store to perform magical illusions. A kids disco will also take place from 4 to 6pm on Saturday.

Topshop Gingham flute top €60

ASOS Boohoo ruffle blouse €26.67

Penneys Jacket €23

Zara Denim dress €40

9 March 2017 GAZETTE 19

P21

P22

M50MOTORING



GAZETTE

P20

in association with

Michael Moroney drives you through the latest news in the motoring world including the latest models and technology and going electric

NEW AUDI Q5 GETS FIVE-STAR SAFETY RATING THE new Audi Q5 SUV has been awarded five stars in the Euro NCAP crash testing programme, which is the organisation’s highest rating for safety. The top score confirms that Audi’s best-selling SUV model is also among the safest automobiles in its class.

The Audi Q5 showed off its strengths in every aspect of the assessment programme. The new Q5 scored points for occupant protection, child safety and pedestrian protection.

Also contributing to the SUV’s five-star rating were the driver assistance systems, which comes as standard and includes: pre sense city - an emergency braking system that reacts to vehicles up ahead of the car and to pedestrians.

Entry prices for the new Audi Q5 start from €48,350.

Hyundai’s new Ioniq Electric cars are in the spotlight in terms of cleaner and lower cost motoring, especially for city drivers.

Hyundai has joined the market in 2017 with the new Ioniq, which offers the full electric car option as well as hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. Michael Moroney reports from his impressive test drive on a longer than usual commute.

THE electric car race has got more exciting start in 2017 as Hyundai joined the market with a car that gives electric and two hybrid driving options in one modern style. The new Hyundai Ioniq is the latest electric car contender joining the market after the Nissan Leaf and Renault Zoe models have made the initial start.

The Hyundai package is impressive and there are hints that the Iconiq will soon catch up on the competition. For Dublin drivers this new car is available in three power ver-

sions, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all electric.

Hyundai offered me the opportunity to take the all-electric version and puts its impressive range claims to the test.

Electric cars such as the ioniq are designed as city and short run commuter cars. Ireland’s modest geographic size as a country means that for many drivers a daily commute can be in excess of 100km each way to and from work. That then becomes the real test for a fully electric car.

Continued on next page

GAZETTE

20 GAZETTE 9 March 2017

M50MOTORING Hyundai sparks electric power with new Ioniq

in association with

FASTNews

The Seat Alhambra

Alhambra offers in the spotlight for March SEAT in Ireland has announced details of new offers across its seven-seater Alhambra range. The offers mean that until March 31, motorists can avail of incentives from Seat’s 23-dealer network on both the Alhambra S and SE models.

The Seat Alhambra makes technology on-the-go a seamless experience thanks to its Full Link Technology offering which comes free of charge until the end of March. A connec-

tivity feature that brings all your smartphone needs safely to the road, parents can take pleasure in components such as the media centre’s Read to Me feature which transmits text messages, as well as easy access to Spotify, podcasts and satellite navigation.

The Seat Alhambra model qualifies for the 3.9% current finance offers on the SEAT Alhambra SE and 4.9% on the SEAT Alhambra S. The deals include deals include a three-year service plan for €299 meaning a saving of €400.

The Seat Alhambra has received the maximum five-star recognition in the Euro NCAP safety rating.

Continued from Page 19

I put that challenge to the test with the electric Ioniq and drove to Portlaoise from Leixlip two days in a row to test its range. This was followed by a further long run to the Leitrim border for an overnight at Rooskey on the banks of the river Shannon.

The car’s 28kWh lithium-ion battery was going to be put to the test. Was I a true optimist or just plain foolish to attempt that level of driving? After a week with the Ioniq, I had driven 972km, probably not the ideal driver profile expected for electric car drivers. For me it showed just how realistic electric cars can now be as the range from a full overnight charge has grown to more than 200km.

I found that with good planning coupled with a more sensible driving style, the range anxiety that I had expected soon evaporated. Keeping to a regular 100km/hr on the motorways and anticipating likely driving issues and how others will drive, meant that I was achieving the full range of 200km on each full charge of the car.

That meant a drive to Portlaoise and back was possible with only a small re-charge. On one occasion I returned via Tul-

lamore where during a meeting the car was well charged for home using one of the higher speed public charging points in the town’s Tanyard Lane.

While charging is not always convenient in terms of rural towns, with a bit of planning it is possible. This is helped by a very useful ecar connect app from ESB Ireland, which lets you know where the charging points are located across the country and also if they are free.

The Hyundai claim of 250km from a full charge was never going to be realistic, however 200km was and that suited me well. Most of my charging was overnight at home on either a standard 13amp fused three-pin socket or the purpose kit that I’ve had fitted at home some time ago. Either way, a full charge can take somewhere close to 12 hours and that means a full overnight, once you clock in home.

If you drive a longer distance such as to Leitrim, then be prepared for an overnight stay if you cannot get access to one of the faster public charging points. For longer runs, plan to have a one hour coffee break at a service stop where there is a free charging point, for an additional boost to ease your range anxiety. Over-

Hyundai Ioniq Electric SPECIFICATIONS

Engine Engine power 0 – 100km/hr Economy Fuel Tank Capacity CO2 emissions Road Tax Band Main Service Euro NCAP Rating Warranty Battery Warranty Entry Price all, I’m well convinced that you can make the electric option work.

You will be impressed with the driving performance of the Ioniq as it is impressive to accelerate using high torque electric motors. The car is very silent apart from the road noise generated by the special low rolling resistance tyres.

In so many ways, the Ioniq is just another car but with clear air electric power. It has good comfort and all of the kit that you find in a good qual-

Electric Motor 120hp 9.9 seconds 200km/full charge NA 0g/km A0 €120 NA 5 star 5 years unlimited 8 years/200,000km €28,495 ity standard hatchback car, including air conditioning, sat-nav and good radio with Bluetooth connection that powers Apple CarPlay and other Android systems.

You’ll be impressed as I was with the heating system, as the car heated up quickly without the need for an engine warm up as in many traditional engine cars. And the heating system as not as much a drain on battery power as I expected; I was watchful and careful to manage it well. You can

use the information systems on the large central screen to monitor electric power consumption, so the choice is yours and the consequences are obvious.

The car is spacious while the boot is claimed to be larger than some of the hybrid competition, its higher base made it feel a little tight with a full load. You need to keep space for the two charging cables included and it can be a small effort to keep them tidy.

It was difficult to accurately measure the running costs while the ESB ecars Cost Calculator claims a weekly cost for a 500knm commute, to be €6.34. This compares with almost €40 for a diesel car equivalent. I’ll check my electric bills at the end of the month to see any differences but without a special meter the average driver will have to trust the ESB figures for starters.

The Ioniq has impressed with a Euro NCAP fivestar safety award so it ticks all of the safety boxes for family motoring.

The Ioniq is the new electric car on the block and is more expensive at €28,495 than either the Nissan Leaf or Renault Zoe. Despite this, the Ioniq has out sold the Leaf so far this year, with 128 cars registered to the end of February.

The new Hyundai Ioniq is an impressive electric hatchback family size car that’s good to drive and low cost to own. The entry price for the Ioniq with a 200km range is €28,945.

Want to reach an audience in excess of 300,000 people in Dublin each week?

To advertise in our new Motoring section, contact sales@dublingazette.com

or call

01 601 0240

9 March 2017 GAZETTE 21

MOTORING

in association with

Barry Dunne takes helm at Windsor Long Mile Nissan Commercial Centre BARRY Dunne, a 30-year veteran of

4X4 market. Garreth Thomson, a South

the motor trade with comprehensive

African native, brings almost 20 years

experience in the Light Commercial

of Heavy Good Vehicle (HGV) experience

Vehicle (LCVs) and Passenger Car (PC)

between South Africa and Ireland.

trade, has been appointed sales man-

Finally, the team is also complement-

ager for the newly-opened Windsor

ed by Alan Hughes, service depart-

Long Mile Nissan Commercial Centre.

ment; Ann Kelly, aftersales advisor, and

A native of Dublin, Barry came to

Kim Mayer, administrator, with further

Windsor Long Mile Nissan in January

positions to be created over the com-

and was previously commercial and

ing months.

fleet sales manager with Renault Belgard in Tallaght for almost five years.

He has held previous positions

The new dealership has 40,000sq ft of outside forecourt, a spacious 11,000sq ft indoor warehouse-stlye showroom,

including general sales manager, sales

a 5,000sq ft workshop and a 2,500sq ft

manager and leasing manager for a

road front showroom.

number of well-known brands in the motor industry. Barry brings with him a wealth of LCV and PC experience, helping customers find the right vehicle for their individual and business needs and budgets in both the LCV and car market.

Also based in Windsor Long Mile Nissan is Aidan Reinhardt, a Dublin native.

He brings to the team 17 years of motor trade experience in LCVs, PCs and the

The sales team in Windsor Long Mile Nissan: Aidan Reinhardt, Barry Dunne and Garreth Thompson

GAZETTE

22 GAZETTE 9 March 2017

M50MOTORING

in association with

Peugeot joins the SUV market with new 3008

PEUGEOT’S new generation 3008 SUV has hit Irish shores and will be in dealerships across Dublin City from this week.

The impressive new SUV features the latest generation Peugeot iCockpit with digital instrumentation as standard across the range. The range pries starts from €25,995 plus delivery related charges for the entry level model, the Access 1.2 130bhp PureTech petrol version.

The new 3008 comes with a choice of five trim levels, to include Access, Active, Allure, GT Line and GT versions, a wide range of both petrol and diesel engines is available.

The 1.2-litre PureTech 130bhp turbo petrol engine, with CO2 emissions from just 117g/km, was voted International Engine of the Year in its

FASTNews

Nissan has a new exchange offer for the electric Leaf model whereby by you get a six months trial period – if you’re not happy you can exchange the car for a new petrol- or diesel-powered Pulsar model

Nissan unveils an electric Leaf offer NISSAN has a new offer for the Leaf electric car for 2017, which now includes two years’ free insurance, two years’ free servicing and two years’ free road tax. Nissan claims to be so confident that Leaf drivers will love their cars that they offer replace the car with an petrol or diesel model if the electric option doesn’t The new Peugeot 3008 is a next-generation SUV that comes with a luxurious design and improved performance, coupled with a host of new technology features, with starting prices from €25,995 plus delivery charges

work out for first time electric car drivers.

Nissan claims that if you change your mind they will swap it for a 172 a choice between a 1.2-litre petrol

category for the secondyear running, earlier in 2016. This engine is available with a six-speed manual gearbox or with Peugeot’s latest generation EAT6 six-speed automatic transmission. The

1.6 THP petrol 165bhp EAT6 six-speed automatic has emissions from 129g/CO2.

Four BlueHDi diesel engines are available, trim dependent, with CO2 emissions from 103g/

km, and power ranging between 100, 120, 150 and 180bhp. The 2.0-litre BlueHDi 150bhp version is matched to a six-speed manual gearbox, whilst the 1.6 BlueHDi 120bhp version is available with a

choice of a six-speed manual or a six-speed EAT6 automatic gearbox. The range-topping GT version comes equipped as standard with a refined 2.0-litre BlueHDi diesel 180bhp six-speed automatic.

Providing the best service for your vehicle ATLAS AUTOSERVICE provides for all your car needs in a fast, friendly, efficient and cost-effective way. With 10 locations around Dublin, you are never too far from one of their garages. For more than 43 years, Atlas Autoservice has been servicing cars, replacing tyres and keeping motorists safe on Irish roads.

Good tyres

Atlas Autoservice has been servicing cars for 43 years and has 10 locations

Regular servicing

The regular checking and servicing of your car is important for several reasons. It will result in better fuel economy, help to reduce overall repair costs and lower the risk of breakdowns.

The Atlas philosophy is to make getting your car serviced as simple and convenient as possible. They pride themselves on only using original equipment, manufacturer-standard quality parts, meaning your car is getting the

same treatment with Atlas as it would at the dealership where you bought it.

Atlas’s online booking system means you can book your car for a service on your chosen date by simply visiting their website. All of their managers are experienced and knowledgeable in all areas of car servicing.

If you book online, you will receive a 5% discount, meaning you can get a quality full car service from as little as €95.

Motorists should never underestimate the importance of good tyres – they are the only contact between you and the road. Keeping your tyres in top-notch condition means your car has the best chance of stopping should you suddenly need to. If you aren’t sure if your tyres are okay, call into your nearest Atlas Autoservice and a member of their team will be happy to take a look at your tyres for you.

Tyres at Atlas are very competitively priced and they can offer you new value tyres from as little as €49. The Atlas Autoservice customer promise is to make things as simple and convenient for you as possible, and to provide their customers with the best service at the best price. To find out more, visit their website (www.atlasautoservice.ie) or drop in and speak to one of their helpful staff members.

Pulsar XE or a 1.5-litre diesel Pulsar XE for free. The vehicle exchanges must to happen within six months from the date of registration, so that seems like a fair trial period.

Nissan wants all potential Leaf buyers to test drive the car for free for minimum of 24 hours and maximum of 72 hours must be taken before purchasing. The entry price for the electric Leaf XE is €21,490 after Government grants, etc and this is a competitive offering for a car that claims a range of 199km.

The higher specification Leaf SV brings that range of 250km and costs €23,990. Both models also have a Nissan €4,000 scrappage deal offer for trade-ins.

Renault Belgard’s Winning Number!

RENAULT Belgard, who

• 0% APR HP Finance

previously brought you a

€1,000 Deposit Contribu-

‘5,4,3,2,1’ offer, certainly

tion (through RCI)

love their numbers! For

• Two years’ road tax

the month of March,

• Three years’ servicing

they’re at it again – they

So if you feel this could

have pulled an amazing

be your lucky number,

‘Exclusive to Renault

text ‘Belgard’ to 50123,

Belgard’ offer out of the

to let them know you’re

hat, for all purchasers of

interested.

a new Kadjar!

They’ll give you a shout

• A five-year warranty

back, to answer all your

plus Roadside Assis-

questions and arrange a

tance

test drive.

9 March 2017 GAZETTE 23

GAZETTE

24 BLANCH GAZETTE 9 March 2017

DUBLINLIFE

FEATURE FESTIVAL: DIVERSE PROGRAMME OF EVENTS AND ARTISTS BOUND FOR SMOCK ALLEY VENUE IN APRIL

Journey into the evolving sounds of a contemporary music universe  EMMA NOLAN

Artists featuring at Music Current 2017 include (from top) soprano Elizabeth Hilliard, KLANK, composer Christopher Fox and Michael Quinn

A CONTEMPOR ARY music festival is taking to Smock Alley Theatre this April. Music Current 2017 is a showcase for the best in new Irish and international contemporary electronic music.

This year’s festival runs for three days at The Boys School, Smock Alley Theatre, from April 27 to 29.

Considered as the “Fringe” of Irish new music festivals, Music Current is now in its second year and gives a platform for the newest contemporary electronic music, hosting four concerts over three days.

This year’s line-up features Irish soprano Elizabeth Hilliard, guest composer Christopher Fox, German ensemble KLANK, a major new immersive installation by Dublin Sound Lab composers, plus a special concert of new international works developed during the festival by participating composers – one of whom will receive this Year’s Imro/Music Current Commission award of €2,500.

The festival opens with Vox Electronica (at 8pm on Thursday, April 27), a

programme of new works for soprano and electronics performed by Elizabeth Hilliard.

Hilliard is a pioneer of Irish contemporary music and is renowned for her exceptional musicianship, effortless creativity and emotional intensity.

In this concert, she will present the Irish premiere of Kaija Saariaho’s seminal masterpiece, Lonh – a beguiling work for solo soprano and electronics.

KLANK (8pm on Friday, April 28) Bremen-based quartet KLANK bring their mad, lucid logic to Dublin for the first time in a programme of works developed by the group.

KLANK create their own sonic universe from a dizzying interaction of musical techniques and cultural approaches, where improvisation collides with the musical potential of everyday objects to create uniquely

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

‘Considered as the “Fringe” of Irish new music festivals, Music Current is now in its second year and gives a platform for the newest contemporary electronic music, hosting four concerts over three days’ ---------------------------------------------------------

The concert also includes recent works by festival composer Christopher Fox: Sea to the West (for soprano and electronics), which was recently recorded by Hilliard for the Metier CD label, and Fox’s encyclopedic Catalogue Irraissonne (for solo soprano), a captivating meditation on language and the fragility of communication.

In KLANK plays

inventive klang-aktionen (sound performances).

The festival concludes with Perisonic (8pm on Saturday, April 29), a large-scale immersive, panoramic “painting” of Dublin, using eight loudspeakers and four large video screens.

In this major collaboration, composers Scott McLaughlin, Grainne Mulvey, Jane Deasy, Fergal Dowling, creative pro-

ducer Sabina Bonnici and video artist Mihai Cucu extend Barker’s vision of a 360-degree experience by reimagining a cityscape reconstructed in pure sound.

Immersed in surroundsound and accompanied by video, the audience is invited to explore four singular perspectives of Dublin.

Music Current 2017 also features an opportunity for the public to engage with composers through a public panel discussion at the Contemporary Music Centre Library, No 19 Fishamble Street (at 6pm on Friday, April 28).

Entitled, Are You Talking to Me?, the discussion considers the relationship between listeners, performers and composers from the audience’s perspective. The panel will include members of KLANK, composer Christopher Fox and other guests.

Moderated by Evonne Ferguson, director of the Contemporary Music Centre, audience members and concert-goers are encouraged to participate.

For further information, see musiccurrent.ie.

9 March 2017 BLANCH GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

GAMING

Horizon Zero Dawn offers a vast world to explore, from dusty mesas to dense jungles, and from the mountain tops to mysterious underground ruins, it all looks pretty incredible. Screengrabs: Shane Dillon

HORIZON ZERO DAWN: A SUPERB ADDITION TO THE OPEN WORLD GENRE

Scales new heights of PS4 gaming greatness  SHANE DILLON

Combat, scavenging and crafting resources form a big part of the game – preparation and purpose are key

BELIEVE it or not, but this is the third time this page has been put together – the first two versions were overcooked reviews, but a game like the PS4 exclusive Horizon Zero Dawn (Cert 16) perhaps can just let its visuals do the work, rather than words.

And what visuals! At last, we have a game worthy of a similar level of

acclaim as Uncharted 4 – yes, it really is that good, and even better in some ways, in some places.

The game’s main loading screen largely sums up the game’s core idea: “Earth, the far future.

Nature has reclaimed the ruins of our forgotten civilisation, but humanity lives on in primitive tribes.

“In this new wilderness, they fight for survival against the machines,

fearsome mechanical creatures of unknown origin.”

That sums up the core idea at the heart of this game, as Aloy, a young huntress who was raised as an outcast from the Nora tribe, seeks to rejoin it and discover why she was cast out as a baby.

It isn’t long before Aloy is sent on a world-trotting quest by Nora’s matriarch, with Aloy free to roam the

A game of something influence, perhaps SOME people have already commented that Aloy, Horizon Zero Dawn’s impressive protaganist, is in essence Ygritte, the popular and tough Wildling character from Game of Thrones – both are practical, resourceful women; hunter-gatherers trying to survive in a harsh world. And they’re both redheads, which helps!

However, Aloy is an interesting character in her own right, presented with more emotion and subtlety than usual for the genre,

helping to both make her a likeable lead and marking a very welcome step away from the usual dull-as-dishwater gung-ho leads that typically front such triple-A releases.

Despite the Ygritte/Aloy comparison on the surface, Aloy’s character is an impressively nuanced addition to the list of gaming heroines we’ve been treated to in recent years, thanks to the work by actor Ashly Burch, and a sympathetic script.

Ashly’s great work here, with a decent script

for the most part, stands out, but Horizon’s characters are also better than usual. Without wanting to overthink matters, it’s commendable that the developer, Guerilla Games, created a multiethnic cast, further steering Horizon away from the bog-standard look and tone of most open world games.

While this was Guerilla’s first attempt at an open world game, the final result – which has largely wowed critics and reviewers – means it surely won’t be the last.

truly vast, beautiful and dangerous open world, which is littered with rusting relics and tumbled overgrown ruins from long ago, before Man’s mysterious fall.

Aloy’s trying to disover why the robots (which evoke several animals and dinosaurs) the humans and tribes hunt for resources are being corrupted, and are becoming deadlier by the day.

Is Aloy’s fate tied to the world’s, and where will her journey take her?

There’s a lot more to the game than this simplistic summary, with Horizon taking an awful lot of element familiar from other big games, but mixing everything together to create a unique title.

However, the end result is an early contender for game of the year, and is definitely a must-buy.

26 BLANCH GAZETTE 9 March 2017

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GAZETTE

28 BLANCH GAZETTE 9 March 2017

SPORT

FastSport COLE AND CARR IN IRISH SQUAD: FORMER St Andrew’s College students Lee Cole and Jamie Carr have both been named in the Irish men’s senior hockey team for the World League Round 2 in Belfast this weekend, a key component in the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.

For both players, it will be their first world ranking level tournament. Carr has been in outstanding form in goals for Three Rock Rovers, aiding the Rathfarnham club’s rise to second place in the EY Hockey League.

Cole, meanwhile, has over 20 international caps to his name and is likely to be primarily a left-sided defender for the tournament.

They join a panel with a number of other Dubliners including Templeogue’s Shane O’Donoghue and the vastly experienced Ronan Gormley.

The tournament in Stormont starts on Saturday with a group game against Ukraine before they play Italy and Austria in their other games, setting up playoff games against either Wales, Scotland, France or Poland.

KARATE: ST BENILDUS STUDENT SHOWS HIS TALENT WITH BULGARIAN PERFORMANCE

Talented Renehan targets 2018 Youth Olympics place

 JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

A KARATE STAR in the making, 15-year-old Dundrum fighter James Renehan has just returned from the European Karate Federation championships – effectively a European championship for Shotokan Karate – in Sofia, Bulgaria.

A member of seventh dan Sensei Brendan Perry’s Kaizen Dojo gym in Terenure, Renehan’s budding career has taken off over the last couple of years, after he travelled to Japan to fight as a 13-year-old, bringing home a silver medal.

He now trains six days a week, exploring the fringes of MMA and a range of strength and conditioning options to perfect his karate-discipline fighting.

While Ireland generally punching above their weight in karate, local fighters typically travel to international tournaments as underdogs.

R e n e h a n s u f f e r e d t wo defeats in his fights in Bulgaria, yet rose to the ranking of 11th in the world in his -57kg category, putting himself in serious contention for the

James Renehan in training

junior Olympics in Argentina in 2018. A place in the tournament is now his key goal.

“James fought a talented Russian in the first round, and lost, but the Russian – who comes from a huge squad, one of a few who have state backing and serious programs – went on to reach the final, which got James back in on the repechage,” Renehan’s

father James Renehan Snr told GazetteSport of the Sofia contest.

“In the repechage, he narrowly lost to a Serbian who also went on to go far in the tournament.

“It’s challenging to get to these tournaments, though, and this is a step in the right direction for him. He’ll probably need to rank fifth or sixth

to go to Argentina, and there are plenty of opportunities to do that in the coming months.

The next big one is in Scotland in April.”

Renehan is a third-year student at St Benildus College in Dundrum and has found both the school’s supportive attitude – which included his missing mocks recently to travel to Bulgaria and rep-

resent Ireland – and Sensei Perry’s role critical in his progress.

“He likes the tradition and the discipline of the sport,” Renehan Snr explains.

“He’s dabbled in MMA as a training exercise but seeing people over from Japan and connecting with the history of karate is a big part of it for him.

“The discipline comes out in things like the weight limitations, too.

“He had to watch his weight over Christmas and has to think about whether he’d like to bulk up to a higher weight or stay where he is.

“It’s two hours of training almost every day, so there’s a lot involved.”

“At the moment, it’s funded by the bank of dad, but sponsorship is something that would be very helpful. It’s not common in minority sports so it would be more a bonus than an expectation,” Renehan Senior explains.

“Many of the juniors who go to Argentina in 2018 will be the same people who fight in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

That’s the ultimate dream.”

Bermingham leading netball’s rise to new Galaxy  BERNARD DUFF sport@dublingazette.com

Kate Bermingahm in action for Ireland

CLONTARF native Kate Bermingham (25) doesn’t quite remember when she fell in love with netball but says it is a sport that is getting noticed more and more.

Working professionally as a nutritionist in UCD, she says: “Most of my colleagues there know I play netball but many still don’t know what netball is”.

Off court, at least, she is gentle and modest character who hasn’t kept count of her number of inter-

national appearances, having made her debut six years ago.

She is a defender but not naturally she says: “I was an attacker at school when I started” but has since then discovered her true calling: “I play regularly in all of the three defensive positions in netball”.

Last week, she was playing for Dublin Galaxy in Our Lady of Mercy College, Beaumont. Galaxy were playing in two of the three matches being played in Winter League Division 1 that evening. This is the top level in the Republic of Ireland and the

season which started in October and will be decided in early April after the play off season.

It’s a sport she learnt at Rathdown School in Glenageary, starting age 12; a comparatively old age for an international netball player. Her near six-foot frame “does help and I have a great reach too” as evident in two smothering performances last week when Galaxy beat Leinster NC 43-18 and St Anne’s Phoenix 42-17 to remain top by an incredible 39 points, with five points for a win.

After Rathdown, Bermingham

had five seasons representing UCD when she was capped, followed by a single season at the traditional leaders of the Irish game, St Anne’s Netball Club from Milltown. She switched soon after to Dublin Galaxy who are currently in their first season but already dominating the sport in Ireland.

As the large stadia of the semipro British Netball Superleague are gaining familiarity to Irish sports fans via Sky Sports she is certain netball in Ireland is gaining a knock-on effect with a noticeable growth in interest and awareness.

9 March 2017 BLANCH GAZETTE 29

GAZETTE

FASTSport

Galty rise from ashes to continue rich history Brendan Dempsey says Drimnagh club has risen from “The Dump” to an exciting new future with access to an astroturf pitch with plans for a couple of schoolboy teams  JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

Sundrive’s Byrne enjoys Los Angeles challenge SUNDRIVE cycling club’s Eamonn Byrne was the pilot to stoker Martin Gordon in the Irish tandem team that finished sixth in the men’s Sprint at the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Los Angeles.

In the qualifying rounds, the new pairing clocked a time of 11.116 over 200m, placing them up against the Malaysian duo of Rizan and Rasol in the quarter finals. In the match sprint, the Malaysian tandem proved too strong for the Irish and progressed into the semi-finals.

In the fifth-sixth final, Ireland faced the Spanish bike of Avila Rondriguez and Font Bertoli but were outpowered in the closing laps to finish sixth overall in their debut race.

In the 200m qualifiers the Irish bike placed sixth fastest and, in the next round rode tactically against the more experienced Malaysian team, coming close to the Rio Paralympians in their second sprint. Speaking after the competition Byrne said: “We did what we could against a much faster duo and raced as well as we could.

We dropped down to a slightly smaller gear for the second heat for better acceleration and the last 200m ended up as a 10.9, so it was a quick race.”

In the race for fifth/sixth place against the Spaniards, the Irish tandem took control of the race early on, with Spain eventually taking fifth just ahead of the Irish bike, Byrne described the race saying: “The Spaniards were riding a massive gear and wanted the front, we got them on the hip then and flicked them up a couple of times, but once they got the gear moving they did a three lap effort to the line. We sat on and drove on the final lap, and were coming through, but it wasn’t enough.”

Cycling Ireland Performance Coach Neill Delahaye was impressed with how Gordon and Byrne have conducted themselves saying: “The lads have had a baptism of fire amongst bikes that have been around a while, with considerable experience. They have given a good account of themselves.”

FOR SEVERAL years, shortly after the turn of the century, long-standing Drimnagh soccer club Galty Celtic were no more.

Come 2017, the longstanding efforts of Brendan Dempsey and a group of former Galty players has the team very much back on the map.

Having been founded in 1951 by a group of working class men in the suburb, dedicating time around demanding jobs, Galty became fairly successful in what was then a far more city-wide Athletic Union League, winning a number of trophies in their first 15 years.

Running three separate teams in the AUL at one stage, Galty were the club of Brendan Dempsey, a brother of Arsenal man Tony Dempsey,

Galty Celtic in Tolka Park

who also came through the club, throughout his entire playing career in the 1960s and 70s. They lost strength and numbers over the following years, as local competition grew.

It was Dempsey who was eventually to revive the club af ter what seemed like a dying ember went through an extended period held together by the time, investment and management of Shamie Gannon.

Gannon sadly passed away late last month.

“I don’t know how Shamie did it for so long,” Dempsey recalled of the period. “He was sick, and it wasn’t ideal for him to be stood outside in the rain night after night, but he did it because he cared.

“Youngsters were getting less interested in playing, though, and eventually the club just disbanded. I know that

was very hard for him, he’d been involved in the club for 40 years.”

Dempsey had spent time around the turn of the century managing a number of other amateur clubs around the Drimnagh area.

But, having been at Galty for so long, took the club’s shutdow n between 2002 and 2005, hard enough to abandon his other roles in order to bring Galty back.

“Two years had passed after the shutdown when I decided to do something about it,” Dempsey - who took over management duties and remains in place today - explains.

“I reached out to a few former players to form a committee and they were all into the idea.

The AUL was full up at the time, and with much of it based in North Dublin now, we also through the travel across the city for most games might put

players off.

“There was no space in the Leinster Senior League, either, so we talked to the junior division. They put us in at Sunday Major level.

We absolutely cleaned up, winning something like seven leagues and a couple of cups since we reformed. Eventually we made our way to the

training every time now, and interest is growing in the area, people are starting to pay attention.”

After a tough road, things are looking as good as they have in decades for Galty Celtic.

Brickfield, a long-promised local all-weather pitch, finally opened last week.

“It’ll change the way

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

‘This club was built on the backs of men living in tworoom tenement houses’ - Galty’s Brendan Dempsey

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

Leinster Senior League.

“Managing clubs can be a thankless task, and a lot of these clubs, ourselves included, exist week to week, relying on local sponsorship to get by,” Dempsey explains.

“But we’re still here, and things are getting better.

I get 18 or 19 down at

we play football and how often we can play with the weather,” Dempsey said. “You can’t imagine how bad it used to be; people used to call it ‘The Dump’, and they meant it. It was just a layer of topsoil, and some of the stuff that came through when it rained was nasty.”

There are improvements in the pipeline when it comes to adding further teams, too.

“We’re looking to add two schoolboy teams this year,” Dempsey explains, “and a longer term aim is to win another league, and to make an impact on the cup competitions.

“This club was built on the backs of men living in two-room tenement houses and working hard, physical jobs,” he concludes.

“It’s great that it’s still here.”

GAZETTE

30 BLANCH GAZETTE 9 March 2017

SPORT

FASTSport

RUGBY: ASHBROOK CLUB ADDS NEW SECTION TO THEIR ARMOURY

Colaiste Pobail Setanta round off incredible year COLAISTE Pobail Setanta rounded off an incredible year of school’s basketball in style 57-43, as they overcame Pipers Hill of Naas to be crowned All-Ireland Schools League Under 16 B Boys champions.

The win marked the school’s second major title in as many months, after being crowned Subway All Ireland Schools Cup champions back in January with a win over Castleblayney.

Sammi Fajana was the star of the show for the Dublin school, dishing up an incredible MVP performance that saw him net 26 points altogether and a number of assists.

Milosh Kutijevic and Kevin Shea were also some of the stars for the Dublin side, to send them firmly into a 9-15 lead at the end of the first.

It wasn’t all one-way traffic though, as Pipers Hill’s Jack Maguire and Alex Durero loaded the pressure on Setanta in the second quarter, bringing it back within a point midway through.

However, Fahana and Adejare Adelani were determined to keep the pace going and finished out quarter two back in front, 24-34.

Pace was the name of the game for the last two quarters, with Colaiste Pobail Setanta proving just why they were crowned Cup champions a few weeks’ ago and they drove home to a 43-57 point win in the end.

Tridents fall to Firhouse side TRIDENTS basketball club fell to a 55-41 defeat to Firhouse in the Dublin ladies basketball board’s Division One

this week.

The Blanch IT side currently sit fifth in the division with two games remaining in the regular season with six wins from 14 outings to date.

Picture: Martin Doherty Sports Photography

Niamh O’Leary of Wicklow goes over to score her side’s second try against Garda/Westmanstown. Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Coolmine launch girls section sport@dublingazette.com

COOLMINE are embarking a new era following their announcement that they will begin rugby for girls born 2002 to 2004.

Training will be held on a Monday nights from 7.15 to 8.15pm at the club’s top Astro pitch at their Ashbrook home.

The training will be led

by Jonathan Sharkey, the club’s CCRO from the Leinster Branch.

He will be there over the next couple of weeks to help set up the girls’ youth section and the club are welcoming both players and coaches to get this team off the ground.

If you are interested in getting your daughter involved, contact Oliver Clarke on 087 9926404 or oliver@live.ie.

Speaking about the move, the club’s Mairtin Breathnach explained: “This is very important to Coolmine rugby and its development; the club needs the support of the wider community and its membership.

“The club is also looking for coaches and mentors and Leinster Rugby will provide support to those who takes up this challenge.

“Coolmine continues to put in a strong performance this season in all

SOCCER SISTERS Blanch venues to host special Easter camps HARTSTOWNHuntstown FC, Holywell Com-

munity Centre and Corduff have all been confirmed as venues to host Easter FAI Soccer Sister camps.

The camps are open to girls between the ages of seven and 12 of all abilities and will run for two days during the school holidays. Each participant will receive a full Aviva Soccer Sister kit, including a limited edition Soccer Sister Jersey, a “Play Like a Soccer Sister” wristband and a football. For more information, go to www.soccersisters.ie.

league and cup competitions across the senior and youth brackets while the minis section have had a busy itinerary of games and tours to Scotland (U-9s) and London Irish (U-12s).

“The Under-12s also played at half time in the recent Leinster clash with Scarlets.”

In addition, the Coolmine Pumas – the club’s Special Needs Tag rugby team – took part in a blitz organised by Greystones Rugby recently and won five of their six matches and go from strength to strength.

Elsewhere, GardaWestmanstown’s adult

women’s team fell 24-10 to Wicklow in the Leinster Division 3 final. They dominated the early exchanges, creating a number of chances but failing to convert any of them into points.

The scoreboard was untroubled for the first 30 minutes until three quickfire Wicklow tries before the break.

The first came off the back of a driving maul, winger Niamh O’Leary bagged the second only a few minutes later, followed

by Meagan Parkinson scoring off an interception, which was converted

by Ciara Patrick.

Westmanstown were

awarded a penalty before the end of the half, converted by Ciara McDonnell, to get some badly needed points on the board.

Wicklow’s dominance continued in the second half with Patrick dotting down for their fourth try, which she also converted.

Wicklow were starting to pull away.

Westmanstown’s Ciara McDonnell scored and converted her side’s first try after a number of phases finally broke the Wicklow resistance.

The surge came too late, however, and Wicklow were deserved winners of the Division 3 final, 24-10.

9 March 2017 BLANCH GAZETTE 31

GAZETTE

NEW ACADEMY

St Brigid’s new initiative gets off to great start

CLUB NOTICEBOARD ST BRIGID’S

ST BRIGID’S first academy sessions for 13 to

16-year-old boys on Friday evening proved a huge success.

The academy is sponsored by The Living Room (@Thelivingroomd1) who provided new tops for the first group in the new initiative. Presenting the tops to the lads on Friday were Dublin and St Brigid’s star Paddy Andrews, senior football manager Mark Byrne and senior footballer Gavin Kane.

ST BRIGID’S 2020 Development Planning

Castleknock Community School and St

is underway - have your Say. You are

Patrick’s, Keady, Co Armagh was post-

invited to complete the questionnaire

poned as were a huge number of club and

by clicking on our survey with your feed-

schools fixtures due to weather condi-

back (details are on the website) and to

tions.

attend a club Open House in Russell Park

Keep an eye on the website for refix

on Friday, March 24 at 8pm to discuss

details and for all our updates (www.

how you would like to take the club into

stbrigidsgaa.com).

There was no winner of last week’s

2020.

We are seeking a nursery co-ordi-

FOOTBALL: RAIN WASHES OUT SERIES OF TOP TIER TIES

nator for Saturday’s nursery sessions

The next draw is in the Vineyard is on

from 9.30 to 11.00am – contact Paddy

Thursday, March 9; the jackpot remains

Davey or Niall Coyne if you are willing to

at €15,000 with reserve also at €15,000.

Thank-you to everyone who supports

assist.

The schools’ All-Ireland final between

CASTLEKNOCK

BEIDH an Comortas Peile Seachtar

The next Cash for Clobber collection is in aid of the Feile so get your old clothes

buiochas le Colaiste Naomh Eoin da dta-

down to Somerton.

Sean O’Casey’s Juno and the Paycock

The annual Castleknock Irish foot-

is on for one night only on Thursday,

ball 7s competition in will take place in

March 30 at 8pm in Castleknock Com-

Somerton on Saturday, March 11. Thanks

munity College. Draiocht Drama group

to Colaiste Naomh Eoin for their support.

always put on a great production. Tick-

There was no winner of our lotto jack-

ets are €10 adults/€5 students from Eil-

pot of €2,000 in association with Rialto

ish Andrews on 086 8901147 and Breda

Ford.

Griffin on 086 8416431.

Numbers drawn were 1, 5, 17 and 24.

The senior footballers lost to Bally-

There were four match three winners,

mun Kickhams by a point in the first AFL1

each getting €75. The next draw will be

game of the year.

Castleknock Community College’s All-

Nursery continues this week as usual

AFL1 ROUND-UP  sport@dublingazette.com

CASTLEKNOCK fell to a narrow one-point loss on the opening day of the new AFL1 season, falling 1-13 to 0-15 at Somerton to Ballymun Kickhams.

Mun netted a first half goal to put them 1-8 to 0-6 ahead and they maintained a narrow lead all the way through to the final whistle.

Early in the tie, points from Des Carlos, Kevin Kindlon and Sean Gibbons had Knock in touch at 0-4 to 0-5 before Mun got their goal and built a five point advantage in

spite of a fine Tom Shields score. And a strong start in the second half, with Shane Boland clearing the bar twice got them back within range.

A run of three points, indeed, had Knock level with 10 minutes remaining as Shields, James Sherry and Seamus O’Carroll – a new arrival from Limerick – set up a cracking finish.

But the visitors outscored the hosts three points to two down the stretch to get the first set of two points on the board.

Otherwise, AFL1 returned with a slightly staccato start last Sunday with a series of ties fall-

ing foul on the inclement weather with Na Fianna’s date with Kilmacud Crokes, St Vincent’s tie with St Sylvester’s and Lucan Sarsfields game with Cuala all postponed.

Thomas Davis got the better of St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh with a 3-13 to 3-11 win in Kiltipper. Paul Hudson ran up 1-5 while the irrepressible Ciaran Farrelly made a strong impact for the Tallaght club.

Bernard Brogan weighed in with 2-2 for Plunkett’s but it was not enough to over-turn the deficit.

St Brigid’s and Naomh

Maur – managed now by former Dublin ladies boss Greg McGonigle – shared a 0-11 to 2-5 draw at Russell Park.

AFL1 newcomers Skerries Harps and Clontarf faced off in a repeat of the battle for top spot in AFL2 last term with Skerries again taking the laurels.

Harry Dawson was the star man for Skerries with the rangy forward scoring 1-3 in a 1-9 to 0-6 victory.

St Jude’s and Ballyboden St Enda’s date, meanwhile, was played on Monday evening in Abbotstown in cold conditions, producing a low-scoring affair, 0-8 to 0-5.

thanks to Tigers Childcare.

an Satharn, 11 Marta i Somerton. Mile

in DeBruns.

Mun defy Knock on AFL1 opening day

and helps out with our lotto.

an Taobh Chaislean Cnucha ar siul ar

caiocht i mbliana.

Castleknock’s Shane Boland goes flying against Ballymun Kickhams. Picture: Niall O’Connell

lotto jackpot.

at Castleknock Community College with

Ireland camogie final fell victim to the weather and will be re-fixed.

GARDA/WESTMANSTOWN WEATHER was the big influence last

rescheduled for this Thursday night at

weekend with many adult and juvenile

Sancta Maria; throw in at 8pm.

fixtures being cancelled due to poor

The juniors have a cup outing on Sunday morning away to Na Fianna at Col-

pitch conditions.

The intermediates made light work

linstown Lane, starting at 12pm.

of the heavy underfoot conditions at

Ladies training continues this week

Westmanstown in the opening Division

on Monday at 7.30pm and on Saturday

3 league fixture when they came from

morning at 9.30am.

behind to beat a very good St Peregrine’s

Very little juvenile activity due to

side. Peregrines led by 1-2 to 0-0 after 10

unsuitable pitch conditions apart from

minutes and were ahead at half time by

the U-12 boys who won their grading

1-4 to 0-4 but Garda turning in a very

match against Scoil Ui Chonaill at Beech

strong second half performance won by

Park.

0-11 to 1-06. The next fixture is against

Some membership fees are still out-

the same opposition in the cup away

standing and registrar Leo Devlin is

next Sunday with a 10.30am start.

available on Wednesdays and Saturdays

The junior league fixture against Ballyboden St Enda’s was postponed but is

to facilitate any who have not yet paid.

After March 31 – no pay, no play.



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GAZETTESPORT

ALL OF YOUR BLANCH SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 28-31

MARCH 9-15, 2017

PICTURE PERFECT: Colaiste Pobal Setanta complete season with immaculate league and cup double P30

DEMPSEY’S GALTY DEN: Drimnagh club legend looks back on a life at Brickfield P29

Kellett strikes Brigid’s to Boland Cup win  sport@dublingazette.com

ST BRIGID’S senior hurlers claimed the first trophy of the 2017 hurling season on Tuesday evening as they defeated O’Tooles 1-15 to 0-11 under the floodlights in a rainy soaked Russell Park.

The defending champions from 2016 defeated Lucan by three points in a close fought semi-final two weeks ago, while O’Tooles overcame St Jude’s.

And they continued on

that form to land the silverware. In an extremely close and competitive first half, the sides were level at 0-7 a piece after points from Daire Doyle, Aodhan McEnerney and Paul Winters.

Winters free-taking was immaculate throughout and was a standout feature of the opening period.

The decisive moment of the game arrived on 35 minutes when wingforward Ciaran Kellett collected a pass out wide on the sideline before cut-

ting in at pace and rifling his goal-bound effort into the top corner of the net.

Kellett’s moment of brilliance pushed Brigid’s into the ascendancy and their advantage was soon increased after a fine point from full-forward Derry Murphy and two Winters 65s.

As the rain continued to pour down, Brigid’s pushed for home with centre-forward McEnerney again to the fore with two fine points. O’Tooles had no reply and Brigid’s ran out comfortable 1-15

to 0-11 to get their 2017 season off to the perfect start.

Also on Tuesday night, St Brigid’s found out their senior hurling championship fate as they were placed in Group 2 alongside Lucan Sarsfields, Ballinteer St John’s and Naomh Fhionnbarra.

Their AHL1 campaign was due to start next weekend but their opening tie has been postponed due to Cuala’s involvement in the AllIreland final on St Patrick’s Day.

The St Brigid’s senior hurlers celebrate their success. Picture: Martin Doherty