Castleknock

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October 3, 2013

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M a l a h i d e • Carpenterstown P o r t m a r n o c k • • KLaurel i n s e a ly • C l•a Roselawn r eMonth h a lXX, l 2012 Castleknock Lodge

Castleknock FREE

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Country queen Susan McCann gives us a taste of her next TV show

see page 19 October 3, 2013

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M a l a h i d e • Carpenterstown P o r t m a r n o c k • • KLaurel i n s e a ly • C l•a Roselawn r eMonth h a lXX, l 2012 Castleknock Lodge INSIDE: Dublin Zoo gives a big welcome to its first ever pair of okapis P5

the seanad: Arguments for and against the future of our second House P16-17

Fancy a cuppa?

Dragon brews up new business Football:

Castleknock confirm AFL3 playoff place Page 30

owner of Insomnia and star of RTE’s Dragon’s Den Bobby Kerr (right) popped down to enjoy some fresh air and fresh coffee with the Mark Jones manager of neighbouring Spar, at the new branch in Carpenterstown.

The new branch just recently opened its doors and boasts 100% Fairtrade coffee, as well as soups, sandwiches, salads and pastries.

See Gallery on Page 10 Picture: Ronan O’Sullivan

Soccer:

Celtic enjoy yet another huge goal rush Page 28

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES..................... 10 DUBLIN LIFE................... 13 OUT&ABOUT.................. 19 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................27

Council draws fire for burial plot shortfall Lack of graves means residents bury loved-ones outside the area

 laura webb

The council has been criticised for its lack of action in securing a suitable cemetery site for Castleknock, as residents go outside their area to bury lovedones.

Plots at cemeteries in Castleknock are full, while Mulhuddart cemetery is nearing capacity.

According to local councillors, the lack of plots mean residents are burying loved-ones outside the local area.

Castleknock councillor Eithne Loftus (FG) asked the council what efforts were being made to secure a new burial site. In response the council said no site has been identified and any suggestions would be explored.

The councillor said she was disappointed with the response, while Cllr Mags Murray (FF) said the council is letting the people of Dublin 15 down who now have to go elsewhere for burial plots.

Full Story on Page 7

4 CASTLeKNOCK Gazette 3 October 2013

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crime House robberies increase by 22%

Possession of offensive weapons rises by 49%

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Local gardai say drug seizures have increased by 7% to 44, three more than reported over the first eight months in 2012

ed over the first eight months in 2012.

In 2013, from January 1 until August 31, the number of burglaries stood at 330 compared to 462 in 2012, representing a 28% reduction.

According to the

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The latest figures for crime reported to the Blanchardstown Garda Station show a spike in possession of offensive weapons, with a 49% increase on last year.

The figures come following the latest meeting of the Fingal Joint Policing Committee.

Those owning such weapons climbed 49% to 52 this year, 17 more than last year.

However there was a 78% reduction in discharging a firearm with two reported this year compared to nine in the same period last year.

The number of reported offences relating to the robbery of an establishment has risen by 22% from 27 in 2012 to 33 in the first eight months of 2013.

Drug seizures have increased by 7% to 44, three more than report-

our message efficiently and cost effectively ensuring we get the maximum from our budget. We would have no hesitation in recommending the Gazette to any business.

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report, there has been an increase in the number of searches being carried out especially under the Misuse of Drugs Act, which is up 9%. There were 305 juvenile referrals for the Blanchardstown area.

As part of crime prevention measures, the report said the regular inspections of licensed premises remained a priority to target underage consumption of alcohol and the illegal sale of alcohol to minors, with 147 premises being inspected.

Commenting on the latest figures, Mayor of Fingal and vice chair of the policing committee, Kieran Dennison (FG) said: “There was quite a big increase in burglaries in 2012, and there was a big decrease in the first half of this year, but actually burglaries are starting to rise again in the last month, so that is something that people should be conscious of.

“I would appeal to the public to be vigilant and make sure that they lock up when they are popping out, even to the shops, because that is when these things happen – when they are out for a few minutes.

“Theft from cars seems to be a big problem, especially around car parks in sports grounds, outside churches – there were 369 this year, which is quite a lot, and theft from shops is around the same.

“The possession of weapons offences is definitely a cause for concern.

“These are the ones gardai have found, these are the ones we know of,” he said.

According to the m ay o r, t h e n u m b e r of community police working in the area has reduced from 21 to 14, which he says is concerning.

“This is where the moratorium on recruit-

ment is kicking in. We used to have 21 community gardai and we are down to 14.

“That is a concern because community policing has really paid off in the area over the last few years,” he said.

Meanwhile, speaking to The Gazette recently, a senior Garda source said a number of arrests in relation to the theft of service stations and local convenience stores have been made.

“This is part of an ongoing operation into a spate of robberies in the [Blanchardstown] area. There have been about six to seven robberies since June in the general area on service stations and convenience stores. “[T he arrests] are really down to some good old-fashioned police work,” he said.

Members of the Blanchardstown Task Force and the detective unit were involved in making the arrests.

3 October 2013 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 5

ball of fun Raising funds for ambulance

council: ‘Not all Development fees are due at any given time’

€8m of €123m in levies owed paid  laura webb

Only €8m of the more than €123m outstanding development levies owed to Fingal County Council last year has been paid.

At the end of August 2012, €123.8m was recorded as outstanding.

This figure was reduced to €113.2m by the end of August this year.

According to a spokesperson for Fingal, €7.9m in development levies was paid to the council between August 2012 and August 2013.

The spokesperson said that it is important to understand that not all of the €123.8m in outstanding levies “is due at any given time”.

“Fingal’s policy is to invoice upfront for the

total amount of a development levy that must be paid once a commencement notice is issued for construction to begin.

“Payment of levies is then made on a preagreed phased basis as units are completed and sold in a development.

“The assumption in doing this is that the entire development will go ahead over the lifetime of the planning permission. If it doesn’t the whole levy amount may not be due but this cannot be determined until planning permission expires.

“Developments are therefore only considered to be ‘in arrears’ when the number of units completed and occupied is greater than the number

for which levies have been paid on a pro-rata basis,” the spokesperson said.

The council said a sum of approximately €7m was currently considered to be in arrears, with legal proceedings taking place in respect of approximately €6m of this.

“T he council also administers a number of Section 49 Supplementary Contributions Scheme for projects like the deferred Metro North scheme and these figures are not included.

“T he development contribution scheme is a countywide scheme and all levies are applied, accounted and spent on a countywide basis. The area based figures requested are not available,” the council said.

Hello you! Dublin Zoo delighted to give a big welcome to its first ever okapis dublin zoo is delighted to announce the addition of two male

okapis to the Dublin Zoo family. Kamba aged 14 and Kitabu aged 6, arrived from Rotterdam Zoo this month and are the first okapis in Ireland.

The okapi is originally found in the Ituri Rainforest, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in central Africa. Okapis are the only living relative of the giraffe. For most people living in Ireland this will be their first opportunity to see these extraordinary animals.

Members of the St John Ambulance Dublin 15 are hosting a charity ball to raise funds for a new ambulance.

The Night at the Oscar’s themed event will be complete with a red carpet welcome for all guests.

The event takes place on Friday, October 25 in the Carlton Hotel in Tyrrelstown.

Each year 150 St John volunteers in Dublin 15 bring first aid and emergency care to the community.

Proceeds from the ball will go towards a new ambulance. Tickets are €40 per person or €350 for a table of 10 people.

For more information to purchase tickets contact 086 8461314 or email info@stjohncastleknock. ie or see www.StJohnDublin15.ie

6 CASTLeKNOCK Gazette 3 October 2013

funding: site being developed

Following their lead: DSPCA dog walk

Sod turned at local park

The first ever DSPCA Great Irish Dog Walk took place in the Phoenix Park recently.

The all-day family event comprised a 3km walk and doggie-themed festival. Attractions included free dog training and agility by King of Paws Training Academy; doggie fun zones and picnic areas; dog grooming by the DSPCA pet spa and hotel; wetnose studio photo booth; face painting and the Irish Wolfhound Society. The day attracted well over 3,000 dogs, including these three Irish Wolfhounds, who showed up.

The walk was organised to raise muchneeded funds for the charity which is Ireland’s largest and longest established animal welfare organisation.

 laura webb

The sod has been turned on the long-awaited development works at St Catherine’s Park near Lucan.

The park, which is under the ownership of Fingal County Council, borders Lucan, Leixlip and Westmanstown.

Diggers, trucks and other large machinery are now on site to start construction of new pathways, a new car park and a two-acre fishing pond.

Other work also set to begin at the park is for a playground, BMX track, bulb planting, tree planting, woodland management works and construction of new public toilets.

Sean Phelan, spokesperson for the Laraghcon Resident’s Association, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the park development works have started and we are looking forward to having this amazing amenity area on our doorstep.

“Certain parts of the park will be closed off for the duration of the project and we hope that the park visitors will bear with us while the park is transformed over the next two to three months,” he added.

A spokesperson for the council said the park development project has been made possible by the “generous” grant support from the Fingal LEADER Partnership, contributions from Fingal County Council and the many local people and businesses that donated funds to the project.

council: over €200,000 to help restore walled garden to former glory

Public asked for ideas to help revive Shackleton Gardens  LAURA WEBB

The public is being asked to give submissions and obser vations on plans to return Shackleton Gardens to its former glory as a famous walled garden.

Once owned by the Shackleton family, the famous walled garden contained many rare flowers.

Preliminary work on the gardens has already begun and a funding grant of €213,750 from Failte Ireland has been approved, which the council says is 75% of the money needed to fully restore the gardens.

At a recent area committee meeting, the council approved the initia-

The public is being asked to help return Shackleton Gardens to its former glory

tion of the part 8 public consultation process for the redevelopment of the gardens located in Beechpark, Clonsilla.

According to a spokesperson for the council, this redevelopment is part of the council’s desire to develop its heritage tourism and said the restoration of the gardens will

“enhance regional attraction,” bringing more visitors to the area.

The council has required detailed records and information on the plants, including rare plants, which were once in full bloom at the gardens.

As part of the restoration plans, two glass

houses will be restored, stonework and brickwork will be redeveloped, footpaths repaired and the garden’s raised beds will be rebuilt.

A number of councillors welcomed the plans, including Socialist Party councillor Ruth Coppinger who said this is the most “important project to bring to fruition in Dublin 15”.

Labour councillor Michael O’Donovan asked whether there was a need for a part 8 process as the project is the restoration of an existing garden. In response a spokesman for the council said there was a need for it because of the “scale and cost” of the work involved.

Fine Gael councillor Kieran Dennison and Fianna Fail councillor Mags Murray both asked whether the gardens are still owned by the developer. The council spokesperson said this issue has been “difficult” and all parties are set to meet in the coming weeks to “finalise it”.

T he spokesperson went on to say that the council’s legal team has been “working hard” on it and NAMA are involved because the developer who owns it is in NAMA but the council will “keep pressure on until the issue is sorted”.

The council’s own gardener, John Harrington, has been working in the gardens and has cata-

logued what plants are already there and what will be needed to restore it fully.

The council expects the restoration of the gardens to take two years before it can be presented to the public. Students from local colleges have been helping out with the gardens, and the council spokesman said it was expected that the maintenance and continuous improvement needed for the garden would provide an opportunity for local students studying horticulture.

Following the restoration of the gardens, the council is planning the redevelopment of the courtyard including a coffee shop.

3 October 2013 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 7

graves Councillors asked to identify possible sites

Council criticised for inaction on cemetery  laura webb lwebb@gazettegroup.com

Castleknock politicians have expressed concern that not enough is being done to secure a site for a new graveyard in the local area.

Plots at cemeteries in Castleknock are full meaning that residents have to go outside their local area to bury lovedones.

During a recent area committee meeting, Fine Gael Cllr Eithne Loftus asked what efforts the council were making to secure new burial grounds for the residents of Castleknock and Blanchardstown.

In response the council said there have been no further developments in identifying a new possible site for a burial ground in the Castleknock / Blanchardstown area.

“As stated previously, any suggestions for suitable locations for a new cemetery will be fully explored.

“In the meanwhile, arrangements are being made for the expansion of Mulhuddart Cemetery, as the existing facility is nearing full capacity,” the council said.

Cllr Loftus said she had hoped that further progress would have been made on the issue and that she was

disappointed by the response.

“This is a stressful situation for families not to have a graveyard in the locality.”

Fianna Fail Cllr Mags Murray said she has been raising this issue since 2004.

“There are 100,000 people in an area with only two cemeteries.

People [from Dublin 15] are being buried in Lucan and seeking grounds in other councils.

“We are letting people in Dublin 15 down,” she said.

The Castleknock councillor suggested the council “front load” some money and sell off sites to

people who want to buy a plot for families.

“People are screaming out to buy plots in Dublin 15,” she said.

Mulhuddart Cllr Ruth Coppinger (SP) asked her council colleagues if they could identify a site.

She said, if they could not, then a graveyard could not be built.

She said councillors had rezoned lands throughout the county and at that time they should have made provisions for a graveyard in the area.

Fianna Fail Cllr David McGuinness said there was hope that a private company seeking plan-

Fine Gael Cllr Eithne Loftus asked what efforts the council were making to secure new burial grounds

ning permission for a 5,000 plot graveyard site at Priorstown House, Scribblestown in Dublin 15 would help combat the problem.

This planning application, however, which was lodged with Fingal earlier this year in March was

later withdrawn by the applicant, Versonwood Ltd, which was in receivership at the time.

“People want to have a cemetery and grave site in their locality. It was hoped that a private company would come in and bring in the graveyard for

the people of Dublin 15 but that is gone now,” he said.

Cllr Loftus went on to say that it “beggared belief” that the council was “sitting back” and not making progression on getting a new graveyard for the area.

8 CASTLeKNOCK Gazette 3 October 2013

draiocht Family monster doodle promises to be fun Families get ready for a monster doodle day at Draiocht this weekend.

Niamh Sharkey of Laureate na nOg leads this special illustration family day, taking place on Saturday, October 5 from 12pm until 3pm.

Participants will be inspired by the surrounding Pictiur exhibition currently on display, which is the work of some of Ireland’s leading children’s book illustrators No booking is necessary, so anyone interested in attending can drop in at any stage. Dress for mess.

This free event is for children aged five to 10 years, though young and older siblings are welcome to take part. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Get Off The Couch Dublin 15 resident to present

Teena set

 laura webb lwebb@gazettegroup.com

A new TV series set to air later this month challenges six people to change their lives and get active.

Get Off The Couch is a six-part series presented by Dublin 15 resident and 98FM’s head of news Teena Gates, which is set to air on Setanta Ireland from October 24 at 10pm.

Teena now enjoys a range of activities from kayaking and hiking

Challenges Teena, who knows all too well about overcoming challenges, has been working with the par ticipants for the last number of months as they work through challenges they never thought were possible.

Teena went from 23 stone, where she found everyday simple activities like walking to be painful, to climbing to Everest base camp.

Teena now enjoys a range of activities from kayaking and hiking to abseiling.

Speaking to The G a z e t t e t h i s we e k , Teena said she was delighted to be part of the show.

“I am a radio girl so television was a completely new field altogether, but it didn’t feel like being a television presenter because it was done in the great outdoors.

“My entire time was spent with the team and we really bonded and became great mates over six months. We came from having our first walk in the Phoenix Park to going out and climbing mountains, doing triathlons and running.

“I grew to not just admire them but really like them all. They are fantastic people,” she said.

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3 October 2013 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 9

new six-part TV series for Setanta

to take centre stage

The progression of each character is looked at throughout the series.

They take on some of the biggest challenges of their lives both sporting and personal, and get a little help along the way, gaining invaluable advice and training from some of Ireland’s greatest sports people, such as Katie Taylor, Sonia O’Sullivan, Sean Kelly and Castleknock local Catherina McKiernan.

Just some of the activities include sea swimming with long distance swimmer Fergal Somerville, rafting down the Liffey with Ciaran “Kipper” Maguire, climbing Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrantuohill, with Pat Falvey, and competing in a triathlon under

the guidance of coach Eamonn Tilley.

Not only is Teena the presenter for the show, but she serves as team leader for the six participants guiding and motivating them along the way.

Participants include mother-of-three Karen Bowers (33) from Swords; Eamonn Waldron, a 46-year-old father of four from Bray; 23-year-old Joe Grey from Dublin; Mar yanne Treacy, a 50-year-old businesswoman from Midleton, Cork; Cathy Whyte (27) from Armagh and Damien McElligott (37) also from Dublin.

Teena said she is “bursting with pride” at what each participant has achieved.

Teena pictured with some of the participants on the new show

“I am so proud and so thrilled for them all. The series may be finished for them, but their stories are only beginning.

“The priority for each of them was different, they all had different goals and it was about

being happy and being able to enjoy life.

“It’s not about turning people into athlete’s. It’s about finding that healthy normality of being able to live in a way that your body works for you and your

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is correct. The Lucan, Clondalkin, Castleknock and Blanchardstown editions are really working well for us, reaching all the areas we need to cover locally.

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B e c a u s e L o c a l M a tt e r s

comfor table in your skin.

“It’s also about getting out into the great outdoors. You don’t need a huge amount of money to do that. It’s not just your body that responds, your mind responds to it.

“We are not designed to sit on couches or be inactive, we are designed to have a work ethic and have a goal to be active – have the ups and the downs – when we are being physical, having a goal and achieving, we are happy all round as normal, healthy individuals.

“I would recommend this show to anyone.

It’s going to be on every Thursday night from October 24. Watch it,” she added.

FastNews Farmleigh to host an evening of stories event An evening of stories from current Farmleigh writer-in-residence Peter Sheridan takes place in November. The acclaimed writer and theatre director presents his one-man show, Break A Leg, which is based on his well-received memoirs of the same name.

This must-see show takes place on Friday, November 22 at 8pm in the beautiful surroundings of Farmleigh. Tickets are free, but are allocated on a lottery basis. For further information or to apply see www.farmleigh.ie

Zoo’s Halloween interactive workshops Dublin Zoo is getting spooky this Halloween with a camp taking place later this month.

Participants will learn about the animals of Halloween, such as the bat, at an interactive workshop, and kids can make their very own witch’s broomstick. This workshop is for children aged six to 12 years.

Online booking for the event, which takes place on October 30 and 31, is open now.

For further information log onto www.dublinzoo.ie

10 castleknock gazette 3 October 2013

gazetteGALLERIES

Chloe Tuohy, Jade Kinsella and Erica Manning. Pictures: Ronan O’Sullivan

COLAISTE POBAIL SETANTA: The class of 2013 make shining debut

T

HE 2013 class of Colaiste Sentanta Pobail in Clonee dressed up to the nines as they recently celebrated their debs.

The school’s principal Eileen O’Rourke, vice principal Mark Dowling and teachers gave the debutantes a warm send-off, alongside their parents and friends.

The Leaving Cert Applied students were also on hand on the night, having baked cakes and treats for everyone to enjoy.

Meleeha Ahsen and Krishna Patel Bobby Kerr, with Jenna Duffy, manager of Insomnia. Pictures: Ronan O’Sullivan

Leaving Cert Applied students Nawwal Salieman and Irena Copiimulti

Clare Garrihy and Leanne Hammond

Leaving Cert Applied students Bariyu Adeosun, Jessie Brewer, Irena Copiimulti and Ibraham Abdulaziz Customer Michael Clinton enjoys a coffee with Bobby Kerr

3 October 2013 castleknock gazette 11

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Marz Lawler and Mariuko Leka sit down for a latte

Carpenterstown: INSOMNIA COFFEE OPENS SHOP

The Dragon Kerr is full of beans T

HE aroma of freshly ground coffee drifted across Carpenterstown as a new branch of Insomnia recently opened its doors.

Owner of Insomnia and star of RTE’s Dragon’s Den Bobby Kerr popped down to enjoy a coffee with the branch manager Jenna

Duffy, and met some of the cafe’s new customers from the locality who were having a bite to eat for lunch.

The Insomnia menu boasts 100% Fairtrade coffee, as well as soups, sandwiches, salads and pastries.

Staff members Monika Vighova and Sorin Ciprian

Paula Mooney and Linda Brennan

Elesmia Cazzola and Mia Kozmarek

Paula Finn-Healy and her daughter, Isla

12 CASTLEKNOCK gazette 3 October 2013

3 October 2013 Gazette 13

asdfsdaf business P27 P15

opinion P14

dublinlife Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week

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what’son All Star Grand Final Charity Concert: Kath-

Linda Murphy, David Shaw, Twitter’s managing director in Ireland Stephen McIntyre, Jennifer Prior and Katie Doyle at their new offices in the Academy on Pearse Street in Dublin city. Picture: Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland

Social networking site: recruitment to be complete by 2014

A tweet deal for Dublin as Twitter creates 100 jobs Twitter’s base in Dublin is continuing to grow with the addition of an office in the city centre, as well as the announcement of 100 new jobs.

The announcement came last week after social networking site Twitter revealed plans to expand its workforce in Dublin and create jobs across multiple business functions including sales, HR, finance and marketing These new positions will bring the grand total of Twitter employees in Dublin to more than 200 people, and recruitment should be complete by

the end of 2014.

Twitter’s European headquarters opened in Dublin in 2011 and last week the social network company will open the doors to its new Pearse Street location.

Commenting on the news, chief executive officer of IDA Ireland Barry O’Leary said the announcement demonstrates the confidence a global brand, such as Twitter, has in Ireland.

“This investment underlines Ireland’s continued ability to attract

high quality staff to manage and rollout pan European and international operations,” Barry said.

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton also welcomed the announcement by Twitter, saying the project is supported by his department through IDA Ireland.

“ICT [information and communications technology] is a key sector targeted in the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs, and in recent years we have seen significant jobs growth in the area,” he said.

“Twitter is one of the biggest names on the internet and one of the fastestgrowing companies in the world. Twitter’s decision in 2011 to establish its European HQ in Dublin was a major coup for Ireland and further confirmation of our status as the internet capital of Europe.

“The strength of the Twitter name is a huge advantage for me and the IDA when we go into boardrooms across the world pitching for new investments. I wish Twitter every success with their new office in Dublin.”

ryn Thomas will present the All Star Grand Final Charity Concert in Vicar Street as part of RTE’s Big Music Week, this October.

The week will celebrate the best of home-grown musical talent and bring live performances to audiences across the country on TV, radio and online.

The All Star Grand Finale Charity Concert, in aid of Barnardos, will take place on Saturday, October 5, and will be a night full of collaborations and surprise guests with all funds raised going towards the children’s charity.

The line up on the night will feature top names from a wide variety of musical styles, including the recent winner of RTE’s The Hit, Finbar Furey, along with Sharon Shannon, Paul Walsh, Jerry Fish, Scullion, Robbie Overeson and Philip King.

Tickets are available at Ticketmaster and are priced at €25.

For further details visit www.rte.ie/bigmusicweek or www. ticketmaster.ie.

Gazette

14 Gazette 3 October 2013

dublinlife

The Gazette’s late, great head photographer, Peter Doyle

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Remembering Peter A SPECIAL tribute to the late Peter Doyle – a fondly-remembered colleague of all in The Gazette – will take place during the Nutgrove Arts Festival, with a showcase of his photography.

The former Gazette head photographer’s work will be displayed on Thursday, October 3, in Nutgrove Shopping Centre, as part of the third Nutgrove Arts Festival, which started on September 26 and runs until October 6.

Some of Peter’s shots will be on display – both a selection of work from his years with The Gazette, as well as some of his personal work, too.

During the festival, there’ll be appearances and workshops from performers, photographers and artists, as well as a variety of dance demonstrations, from belly

dancing to Bollywood and Irish dance.

The festival will also play host to live music, courtesy of Kicking Birds, Rouge and Rathfarnham Ukulele group.

For further information, see www.nutgroveshoppingcentre.ie.

have a brekkie for childline THE annual Cheerios Childline Breakfast Together Week is set to take place once again next month.

The fundraising event was launched by Claudine Keane, the wife of Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane, at The Mansion House last week.

Over the past six years, this event has become one of the biggest fundraisers for Childline, with last year’s event raising more than €225,000 for

the Childline service, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Breakfasts big and small will take place around the country, and Childline is encouraging everyone – schools, companies, coffee shops and friends – to host or attend a breakfast.

The charity is entirely funded by the Irish public, so support is vital. Funds raised will help charity volunteers answer more calls from vulnerable children and young people in Ireland who have nowhere else to turn.

The week will take place from October 7 to 13. To register, see www. childlinebreakfast.ie.

select a carer for top award THOSE wishing to nominate a young carer from Dublin in the Carer of the

Year and Young Carer of the Year awards have until October 4 to do so.

This week, The Carers Association issued their final call to Dubliners to nominate an exceptional carer in their community.

The competition selects a family carer from each county in Ireland from all of the entries and those chosen will be invited to a special awards ceremony, where The Carer of the Year and Young Carer of the Year 2013 will be announced.

The award ceremony, hosted by Mary Kennedy and Marty Whelan, will take place in Dublin on November 5.

Catherine Cox, of The Carers Association, said: “This is an opportunity to celebrate carers and their round-the-clock dedication to their loved ones.”

3 October 2013 Gazette 15

To nominate a carer in your area, go to www. carersireland.com, drop into your local resource centre, or freephone 1800 240 724.

02 gets behind small business A BUSINESSWOMAN from Blanchardstown is being featured in a poster campaign to publicise an O2 competition for small businesses to be in with a chance to win an advertising campaign with rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll.

Until the end of October, 10 small business owners from around the country will get to promote their businesses and publicise the competition by appearing on posters

in O2 shop windows.

Fun Days Playschool owner Carol Curly’s image will be on display in the O2 store in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre for October.

Carol, who runs her playschool in Blanchardstown, met O’Driscoll at the launch of the O2 initiative last week.

If you are an O2 customer and small business owner, you could have O’Driscoll appear in your video by entering O2’s Small Business Bundle competition.

O2’s head of brand and sponsorship Rita Kirwan said: “This is a great opportunity for O2 to really get behind small businesses in a meaningful way.”

Blanchardstown businesswoman Carol Curly with rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll

Gazette

and his photography skill

diary

PROMOTEyourSCHOOL tell u s a b o u t y o u r school’ s e v e n ts co n t a ct the G a z ette c a ll 6 0 1 0 2 4 0

Gazette

16 Gazette 3 October 2013

dublinlife Abolish this elitist House opinion: two leading voices call on everyone to make

An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny. Picture: Photocall Ireland

ON FRIDAY October 4, you will be asked a straight question. Do you want to abolish the Seanad? The answer is “yes” or “no”. I’m asking you to vote “yes”, and here’s why.

In our democracy, although the government governs, it is the people themselves who rule. That means you.

You choose the men and women who you

believe will best represent you, your values and interests in Dail Eireann.

One voter, one vote. All equal.

In a democracy, that is how it should be. Now think of this.

When it comes to the current Seanad, just 1% of the population elected it. Unless you’re one of that privileged 1%, you, as a voter, have no say in who is elected to this “democratic institution”.

We must bring Ireland into line with every other European country of our size, all of which have just one chamber of parliament.

That’s one of the clear

reasons I believe the Seanad must go. It is an oldfashioned, elitist assembly of “entitled insiders”, elected by the privileged few.

What place can it have – or should it have - in a modern, Irish democracy? I believe, none. That is why I’m asking you to vote “yes” to abolish the Seanad on October 4.

On coming to office, I committed to making our government more democratic, more efficient, more transparent and more accountable to you, the voter.

I promised four real reforms so that government and politics could

serve you better.

These include that we would have fewer politicians, along with a smaller Dail that would do more and sit longer, and that stronger committees with real power to hold people to account are set up.

Three of those reforms have begun. Number four – the abolition of the Seanad – is in your hands.

You will decide.

I’m hoping you will decide to take positive action, because it is time to wipe out the elitism and entitled privilege that have dogged Irish politics.

It is time to haul our political system into the 21st century.

I’m asking you to vote to abolish the Seanad not just because we need to close a quaint curiosity that has no place in 21st century Ireland – I’m asking you to vote “yes” because I believe the abolition itself would signify Ireland’s desire and will to create a new and better kind of politics and public life.

Both of which steps would reflect the standards and values we try to keep in our personal lives – including that we are a hardworking, nononsense, ambitious, fair, decent, dignified, compassionate, confident and common-sense people.

That disconnection between life as lived and politics as practised has led to the chaos and pain of recent years.

For the sake of democracy, for our future success and prosperity as a people, I am determined to close that gap.

To do that, politicians must show the people of Ireland that they, too, are facing up to our new economic demands; that they, too, are willing to do more with less.

And “less” means closing down an institution that belongs to the last century, and that hasn’t used its limited powers to delay legislation since 1964.

We are a small country.

We are a dignified, brilliant people, returning to prosperity and success.

Above all, we are democrats.

Therefore, one house is enough on the say-so of all of our electorate – not two, at the pleasure of the 1%. I’m asking you on Friday, October 4, to please vote “yes” to abolish the Seanad.

Enda Kenny An Taoiseach

3 October 2013 Gazette 17

features their vote count and remove or retain second house

Seanad plays a vital role THERE are three key reasons why the Seanad should be retained and reformed – scrutiny, oversight and reform.

Firstly, within our Oireachtas, the Seanad plays an important role in scrutinising legislation. We exercise rigorous scrutiny over legislation.

In committee debates, senators on both sides can contribute, whether they are spokespersons or not – so debates tend to be more wide-ranging and reflective than they are at committee stage in the Dail.

The Seanad has a proud tradition of thoughtful and deliberative committee stage debates on

legislation, such as the Electoral (amendment, political funding) Act 2012, introduced first in the Seanad – it will [also] introduce a gender quota for political parties in their general election selection procedures.

We have often picked up on flaws in different bills. Each year, the Seanad makes hundreds of amendments to legislation.

The Seanad also has a strong history of introducing Private Members’ Bills in areas overlooked by the Dail. For example, we have Senator Mary Robinson’s Private Members’ Bills on contraception in the 1970s; Senator Mary Henry’s Bill on assisted

human reproduction, and Senator Feargal Quinn’s Construction Contracts Bill, which passed into law in July.

The Bill to prohibit Female Genital Mutilation – which I introduced – became law in 2011.

My Bill to allow humanists to conduct legal weddings was passed in 2013 – helping couples who do not wish to have a traditional religious ceremony to celebrate their marriage in a way that is special to them.

Secondly, the Seanad provides an extra layer of oversight within our highly-centralised political system.

In countries with just one house of parliament,

there are generally very powerful local and regional government structures.

In Ireland, our councils lack any real power – so it is vitally important to keep a second house to maintain some level of check, or balance, on the excessively strong power of the executive (the Government). This is especially the case when we have a big government majority in the Dail, as we do at present.

Thirdly, if we abolish the Seanad, then there is no possibility of reform.

Some people argue that we should abolish the Seanad to save money (although nobody can say exactly how much).

They miss the point

that large amounts of money could be saved by reforming the Seanad – by reducing the amount that senators are paid, for example.

Of course, even an unreformed Seanad has traditionally offered a forum or platform for individual voices and viewpoints not generally reflected in the Dail – such as strong voices in support of LGBT rights from Senators David Norris and Katherine Zappone, for instance.

And so, the Seanad has contributed significantly to the strength of the democratic process.

However, there is no doubt that fundamental reform of the Seanad is

Senator Ivana Bacik

needed – in particular, the method of election needs to change.

Two Bills to reform the Seanad, introduced by the independent senators, have now been accepted by the Government and would allow for every citizen to have a vote for senators. If the referendum is passed, this reform is no

longer possible.

If the referendum is defeated, the case for reform is unarguable. It should be defeated. For greater scrutiny, oversight and for reform, vote “No” on October 4.

Ivana Bacik Senator

Gazette

18 Gazette 3 October 2013

dublinlife

Q&a - kevin towey

Hotelier has decades of experience in the trade KEVIN Towey is the chief executive of the Towey Group, which operates a number of hotels and pubs in the greater Dublin area, including The Silver Granite in Palmerstown; Arc in Liffey Valley; Leixlip House Hotel and Leixlip Manor and Gardens.

Kevin has been involved in the family business for more than 30 years and has been instrumental in developing The Silver Granite in becoming one of West Dublin’s best-known music venues.

This year, The Silver Granite this celebrates its 50th anniversary and Kevin has put together a calendar of highprofile events and activities for locals and visitors to mark the occasion.

Brought up in Palmerstown, Kevin

business How long have you been in business?

The Towey family has been in business for 50 years and I have been involved for 30 years. This year, The Silver Granite is celebrating its 50th anniversary so we have lots of celebrations under way.

What makes your business successful?

We are successful for a number of reasons, but mainly because we have constantly adapted and evolved as consumer demands have changed.

The Silver Granite is hugely centred on entertainment and TV sport, for example, whilst Arc has an extensive all-day food offering and is a very different style of outlet, because that’s what we believe the Arc customer demands.

What do you offer your clients that differs from your competitors?

We like to think we get a competitive edge by constantly reviewing our offering and ensuring our customer is getting value for money. We look at doing things differently, and recently introduced the “beer tower” concept to The Silver Granite. This is a five pint-tall glass container, available at a value price, and is ideal for a group that can self-pour, allowing them to drink at their own pace. For our hotels in Leixlip, we were among the first operators to offer an all-in wedding package.

How has the recession impacted your business?

attributes the success of the Towey Group, in part, to knowing its customers so well.

The recession has had a profound effect on our business as customers are going out less often and are seeking greater value for the limited amount of disposable income they have. In the Silver Granite, we have put on a significant number of special events for our 50th year that encourage people to come and reconnect with the pub. We have tried to ensure that despite the economic climate, we have

not reduced the quality of our offering.

What law or regulation would you change overnight to help your business?

The most significant change I would make would be to ban below cost-selling of alcohol in the off trade (off licence) sector. This has fuelled an upsurge in binge drinking at home where there is no control of consumption. Supermarkets sell below cost to drive footfall and price the family staples like bread, butter and eggs to subsidise the losses on drink.

The hospitality sector employs far more people on a pro-rata basis, sells a higher percentage of Irishproduced drink, and provides a more controlled and convivial environment in which to eat and drink sensibly. Supermarkets are contributing to the demise of the Irish pub sector, which is a vital component of our tourist offering.

What is your ambition for the business?

Our ambition at the moment is to maintain our current level of business until the worst of the recession passes, which I believe will take another two years. We will then be in a good position to increase our business and, perhaps, to invest in additional outlets.

What is your favourite thing about doing business in your local area?

The best thing about our business is that it is a people business. I grew up in Palmerstown and so knew so many of our customers even before working in the business. You build up a personal connection with your customers.

There can hardly be another business in the world where you have such an intimate relationship and where you share their happiest and saddest moments.

Your customers become part of your extended family.

accolade: prestigious industry award won in d15

Castleknock hotel checks in top award  laura webb

CASTLEKNOCK Hotel and Country Club has come up trumps at the hotel industry’s equivalent to the Oscars by taking home the AA Hotel of the Year award.

This is the highest accolade for any Irish hotel, making it a superb win for the Dublin hotel.

The hotel was chosen

by AA inspectors who were hugely impressed by the consistent standards of excellence, innovation, attention to detail and service to guests.

The Minister for Tourism, Leo Varadkar, presented the award to Guy Thompson, general manager, FBD Hotels Dublin, at an event ceremony in Dublin recently.

Accepting the award of AA Hotel of the Year,

Thomson said: “This is a great boost to the team in Castleknock and we are delighted to have been chosen for the award.

“A A standards are extremely high and when a hotel receives an award like this, it makes a big impact at home and internationally.

“We have worked really hard to continually improve the experience for our guests and it is very satisfying for that to be recognised by the AA. “We take great pride in what we do at the Castleknock Hotel and Country Club. Whether our guests are with us for a private leisure break, a company conference or working session or for events like weddings, we like to believe that everyone enjoys the experience and leaves the hotel wanting

Pictured are Guy Thompson, general manager of FBD Hotels Dublin, with Minister for Tourism Leo Varadkar and Arwen Foley, AA Roadwatch

to return,” said Thomson.

Conor Faughnan, AA director of consumer affairs, said the team at Castleknock Hotel and Country Club are “an example of the superb standards that the AA is finding in Ireland’s leading hotels on a consistent basis in recent times”.

He went on to say: “In

Castleknock, we find a passion for innovation and improvement. There is an entrepreneurial flair combined with a ceaseless determination to put the guest first.

“It results in an experience that is second to none; it is a hotel that deserves its success and is an inspiration to others.”

3 October 2013 Gazette 19

MOTORS P24

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OUT&ABOUT Never be out of the loop on what’s happening in Dublin! Let Out&About be your guide to all that is stylish, cultural and essential across the city and beyond this week

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MUSIC P21

Pets lolli would be a perfect pet to pop into a life

Wee Daniel and Susan McCann need no introduction to Ireland’s many country music fans, with both featuring on Opry an Iuir on TG4 on October 9

music: susan mccann talks to the gazette ahead of her next tv show

Country queen opens up  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

COUNTRY music fans are in for a treat this month as a popular music show, hosted by Daniel O’Donnell, will hit the small screen on BBC 2 Northern Ireland and TG4.

Opry an Iuir has been hailed as the biggest show in Irish country music and the second series comprises six shows, featuring some of the most legendary names in the industry.

Throughout the series, Daniel will introduce performers – including veteran country singer Susan McCann on October 9, and Robert Mizzell on October 16, on TG4 at 10.30pm.

The show featuring Susan will be broadcast from Newry Town Hall. She spoke to The Gazette about her upcom-

ing appearance on the show, and her 38-year career, to date.

Susan said: “I’m exhausted from travelling! I love singing but I don’t like getting to each place.

“I don’t know how to account for my longevity except that country music fans are very loyal and when they have favourite singers, they stick with them for ages.

“I think Irish people respond to country music because of the stories in the songs.

“They’re like Irish ballads, in that way, and that’s the connecting thing about them.

“Country music seems to be coming back in a big way with young bands and singers now starting off and younger audiences coming to see them. It’s great

to see them dance to live bands rather than swaying at a disco,” she said.

Susan got into the singing and performing at home with her very musical family.

“Daddy would play the accordion and we’d sing songs. We had no television, so we entertained ourselves.

“We were all good singers but I was the only one with the brass neck to go out and do it for a living!

“Daddy had great faith in me, and grabbed every opportunity to get me on a stage,” she said.

“I met my husband, Dennis, in my first band when I was 16 years old, and we’ve been together for 42 years now.

“I could kill him sometimes, and I’m sure he could do the same, but we’ve had a great life together!

“Nowadays I don’t gig as much, though I’m just back from Boston this week where I was performing.

“I try to spend lots of time with the grandchildren, as I missed out on my own [children’s growing up] and don’t intend on missing out with them.

“They love music, and it’s great to see them carry on the tradition with the accordion and tin whistle, and out dancing in time to the music,” said Susan.

Each week in the show, the acts will perform an Irish language song with a special guest, some of whom include Liam O Maonlai, Caitriona Ni Cheannabhain, Claudia Buckley, Caitriona Ni Cheannabhain, Aoife Ni Fhearraigh, Maria McCool and Patrick Connolly.

Opry an Iuir is on at 10.30pm on Wednesday nights on TG4.

The Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs.

Our Dog of the Week is Lolli – a four- year-old Lurcher cross.

Lolli came to us from the pound with her puppies, suffering from an awful case of mange.

Her skin is all better now, but she can be sometimes a little sensitive to touch because of this.

She needs a calm, quiet home with understanding adopters (and definitely a confident doggie companion, too) who can help this beautiful dog grow in confidence and blossom into the incredible companion we know she is inside.

If you think you could give Lolli a perfect home, please contact Dogs Trust on 01-879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50 and directions can be found on www.dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ dogstrustireland) or Twitter (@DogsTrust_IE).

GAZETTE

20 GAZETTE 3 October 2013

OUT&ABOUT

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Penneys floral jumper €14

THE sun may be shadowed by dark clouds, but that doesn’t mean we can’t embrace nature’s colourful flowers. They might not be as bright and cheerful as summer months, but autumn/winter floral is just as delicate and just as on-trend this season.

The only difference between the two seasons is that its shades are that little bit darker.

These pieces can be worn individually with one block colour top or with trousers and jeans.

They can even be mixed with other prints. This week Gazette Style takes a look at some dark floral to arrange in your wardrobe this year.

3 October 2013 Gazette 21

Gazette

MUSIC FASTtunes with Radio Nova’s Dee Woods

More Floyd on the way for fans of Pink legend

California dreaming: Alana, Este and Danielle Haim are the hype machine’s most prominent product of 2013 so far

MUSIC REVIEW: an assured but frustrating debut from haim

Don’t believe the hype THE HYPE machine has been overdriving for Haim, the band based around sisters Alana, Este and Danielle, for the last year, but finally their debut album has arrived, and it sums up their conf licting and sometimes frustrating presence on the pop platter.

Bigged up by acts like Mumford and Sons, Vampire Weekend and Major Lazer, and signed to ROC Nation, as well as the recipients of the top BBC Sound of 2013 accolade, you would expect that there was

 ROB heigh rheigh@gazettegroup.com

something very, very special about this act, and it has to be said that in spite of their immense musical debt to the Eighties, there is something going on here.

Opening with your three biggest and bestknown tracks is a move either packed with folly or supreme confidence

in the rest of your material that graces your debut album. It turns out that both of those statements are true in almost equal measure over the remaining eight tracks.

The first non-familiar tracks, If I Could Change Your Mind, is the equal of any of their pre-album releases, with it’s juddering backbeat and choppy guitar lines, a conscious call-back to Michael Jackson’s Wanna B e Star ting Something, and slick harmonies delivering an impressive, albeit retro-

gressive, pop moment, matched for its 30-year old feel by the Cindi Lauper-esque Go Slow a few tracks later.

Where Days Gone By doesn’t fly is in the almost strict adherence to formula, making a few of the tracks less memorable and more likely to make you ask yourself if your generic music playing device has skipped back and played the same song again.

But there is certainly enough here, particularly on their singles to date, to suggest that

their time in collaboration with artists from diverse genres and their time on the stages of the world over the past nine months will see them come up trumps once they develop an identity that they can truly call their own.

By converting Haim the band into something that calls back on their obvious influences while pushing forward beyond the trappings of the Eighties pop sensibilities that they are so completely versed with will make them an unstoppable force.

If you saw Roger Waters perform The Wall live at The Aviva Stadium in September, then I’m going to go right ahead and assume your jaw is still on the ground.

The highly-anticipated aural and visual spectacular did not disappoint the tens of thousands at The Aviva Stadium, where a giant wall was built and then torn down before their eyes.

And there’s good news for Pink Floyd fans if the show left you thirsty for more. Brit Floyd are bringing the Pink Floyd Ultimate Light & Sound Experience (PULSE) show to The O2 on November 2.

Brit Floyd is so much more than a tribute act; they are the closest thing you will get to experiencing everything that Pink Floyd is about without inventing a time machine.

If you are a Floyd fan, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of this group. But if you’re a diehard Floyd fan with a fear of going to see anything but the real thing (and remember as Roger Waters says, fear builds walls) then here’s something that might change your mind.

Guitarist and vocalist Damian Darlington who heads up the group - as the David Gilmour, if you like – actually played Comfortably Numb for the real David Gilmour as part of his 50th birthday celebrations alongside the late Floyd keyboardist, Rick Wright.

Check out www.britfloyd.com to see exactly what they can do. Tickets for PULSE start at €25.50, and this show does exactly what it says on the tin.

Enjoy note-perfect tracks from Pink Floyd’s repertoire alongside a stunning light show. Worth checking out if you still believe it can only be the original Pink Floyd for you, or pigs might fly...

Dee Woods presents Nova Nights from Monday to Friday from 7pm to midnight, and Sundays from 12 noon to 2pm. Follow here on Twitter @RaDeeOh

GAZETTE

22 GAZETTE 3 October 2013

OUT&ABOUT

more

theatre THE PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929

Skin in the Game THE continuing fallout from the recession is fuelling many artists’ work, as this documentary reveals.

Poets, writers, playwrights, artists and many more are creating a diverse body of work, fuelled by the crash.

Musician Christy Moore, one of those featured, will be on hand for a postscreening discussion.

Catch Skin ... at 8pm on October 9; tickets priced €7.50/€6.50.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340

Frank Pig Says Hello PATRICK McCabe’s Frank Pig says Hello is the stage version of his critically-acclaimed novel, The Butcher Boy. A black comedy with a difficult theme, two very versatile actors portray more than 30 characters, creating a memorable production.

Catch Frank Pig nightly at 8pm until October 5, with tickets priced €18/€16.

CIVIC THEATRE 01 462 7477 Fly me to the Moon

IN THIS comic new play, two cash-strapped community care workers learn something one of their elderly charges doesn’t know – that he’s had a big win on the horses. With the inside track on his luck, they should race to tell him.

Should ... The play runs nightly at 8pm until October 5; tickets priced €20/€16.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622

Let Me Entertain You THIS upcoming show will delight audiences of all ages with its mix of song, dance and comedy routines, as a range of accomplished groups and individuals come together to stage two shows to remember. From Bollywood to, well, Hollywood, classic showtunes to the latest hip-hop, everyone will be entertained at 8pm on October 18 and 19; tickets priced €18/€16.

ARTS

BOOKS: A FASCINATING FIRST-HAND ACCOUNT DEBUNKS 1916 CLAIMS

Taking aim at some of the Easter Rising tales

 BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

ANOTHER journey into autobiographical history continues this week with a bird’s-eye account of the Easter Rising. entitled, Dublin Burning – The Easter Rising from Behind the Barricades, as told by a senior member of the Irish Volunteers, Commandant WJ Brennan-Whitmore.

Wexford man, Brennan-Whitmore, who died in 1977, tells the tale of the Rising from its first tentative stirrings – which he describes as “groups of ideas” without a coherent plan – to the full-scale burning of Dublin by British troops and the capture of the insurgents.

He recounts his meetings with the leaders of the Rising with a startling familiarity that is quite disarming.

Dublin Burning is a fascinating fly-on-thewall account of the Rising, containing some very surprising information that is scarcely known.

Brennan-Whitmore, tells the story of the Rising as it happened, and

sets the record books straight about those who have painted themselves in a more attractive light as to their true involvement in the Rising.

The foreword speaks of play w right Sean O’Casey’s involvement in the Citizen Army up to the point where he left for England and “shirked the Rising”.

Another Irish figure who does not come off well is Sean T Kelly, who later became president of Ireland.

In Kelly’s version of events, he claimed to have commandeered food and bedding for the garrison in the GPO, but BrennanWhitmore said this was a “neat little fiction”, and that Kelly only appeared in the GPO for an hour and then went home for tea, where he remained throughout the Rising.

The author’s accounts of Connolly, Pearse, Plunkett and a very young Michael Collins are a warts-and-all account of these figures as human beings. Brennan-Whitmore description of Connolly paints him as

being decisive, sharp and all-action in the GPO, checking all of the barricades and complaining that they were too flimsy, while Pearse, his opposite in every way, is described as having glided around emitting a mystical air and talking to noone.

Connolly gave orders to Brennan-Whitmore to create a barricade blocking North Earl Street, near the GPO, and to occupy a block of buildings by punching holes through the walls.

The author and his compatriots engaged in back-breaking work from the Pillar Cafe up to the Imperial Hotel.

Here, they stayed for the four days’ duration of the stand-off, identifying snipers and taking them out.

The author and his troops experienced a lot of trouble from civilians while occupying their North Earl Street position, as the streets were full of curious Dubliners who were not taking the rebellion seriously.

There are many funny incidents relayed about these Dubliners who,

Although there are many accounts of the 1916 Rising, few are as bluntly informative as Commandant WJ Brennan-Whitmore’s first-hand account of his experiences, vividly retold in Dublin Burning - The Easter Rising from Behind the Barricades

when they weren’t looting and being drunk, were telling the Volunteers to go home before they were killed.

Brennan-Whitmore paints a very vivid image of one old man with a very long white beard walking down the street wearing a silk top hat, with a lady’s feather boa around his neck and lady’s underwear on his arm – all the spoils of his looting.

There are too many such fascinating insights in this book to mention, but suffice it to say, every

person wishing to know the truth about the 1916 Rising should read this book.

Commandant WJ Whitmore-Brennan was a senior member of the Irish Volunteers and a journalist from Wexford.

As well as Dublin Burning, he also wrote With the Irish in Frongoch – an account of his time as an internee. He was the last

surviving commandant of the Easter Rising when he died in 1977.

Dublin Burning was first published in 1996, and is being re-issued this year in advance of the 2016 centenary commemoration of the Easter Rising.

It is published by Gill and Macmillan and is available at all good bookstores, priced €19.99.

3 October 2013 CASTLEKNOCK gazette 23

24 cASTLEKNOCK gazette 3 October 2013

Gazette

& OUT ABOUT road NOISE

Top marks ... Kia’s new Carens has attained a 5-star safety rating from Euro NCAP

Kia’s Carens impresses with its safety features KIA’S all-new Carens compact MPV has been awarded a maximum 5-star safety rating by Europe’s leading road safety organisation, Euro NCAP, withe the Carens now one of only two compact MPV models currently on sale in Europe to earn 5-stars in the 2013 Euro NCAP tests.

The five-door, five- or seven-seater Kia achieved high scores for adult occupant protection (94%), child occupant protection (76%), safety assist equipment (81%) and pedestrian protection (64%), while maximum points were awarded for side impact protection against a barrier, child protection for 18-month old infants, front seat whiplash protection and protection for pedestrians’ legs.

Standard safety equipment fitted to the new Kia Carens across Europe includes six airbags (front, front side and curtain), seatbelt reminders (front, middle and rear seats), electronic stability control, hill assist control to prevent roll-back and emergency stop signal, which flashes the brake lights when the driver makes an emergency stop.

The Carens joins six other Kia models – the cee’d, Rio, Venga, Soul, Sportage and Sorento – in scoring a 5-star rating in Euro NCAP crash test results.

Sailor Annalise Murphy admires her sponsored Mercedes-Benz Vito Mixto van

Van makes quite a splash DUBLIN sailing sensation Annalise Murphy is off on the next stage of her journey to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, helped on the way by Mercedes-Benz, who have supplied her with a new Vito Mixto as part of a sponsorship arrangement.

Decked out to transport her and her team, with room inside for most of her equipment, the Vito Mixto crew van – with its five passenger seats and a spacious, load-carrying interior – is wrapped in a colourful, eye-catching picture of Annalise doing what she does best.

MOTORS

Motors: the Kuga Zetec is an impressive, powerful beast

Ford stalks the market with a redesigned SUV  cormac curtis

FORD’S first foray into the lucrative SUV market was a long time coming.

Many manufacturers came before them, wildly trying to impress with over-the-top offerings that did nothing for the environment and were less than pleasing on the eye.

Ford didn’t rush into anything; they slowly and carefully took their time.

They watched the market and they stalked their prey until, like all good cougars, the time was right to pounce.

In 2008, the Ford Kuga was unleashed on the Irish market and was an instant hit.

Buyers were attracted to the Kuga’s good-looking body, wrapped in sleek lines and carefully crafted body accents that disguise its raw power, driving ability and an array of features and technologies that make this car stand head and shoulders above much of the competition.

There is now a new version of the car, and what I find most attractive about the Kuga is just how understated its styling is.

There is a generous spattering of body contours and accents that invite the eye to admire the shape, but designed in a way that is subtle, and enhances the overall look.

When you scratch the surface of the Kuga, and explore what awaits on the inside, you are truly rewarded. Ford are often guilty of having some of the most cluttered dashboards in the business, but this Kuga is a far more refined feline.

Prowl around in the Ford Kuga Zetec – a refined version of the already highly-popular Kuga

Ford kuga zetec 2.0 TDCI 140 PS  Six-speed manual  VRT Band B2  Roof rails  Rear parking sensors  Ford keyfree system  Handsfree tailgate  

Ford Kuga Zetec from €33,450 (price excludes delivery and related charges)



Yes, there is more piano-key black trim than you will find in Elton John’s recording studio, but it is beautifully offset by generous, large matt black panels and brushedsteel highlights.

There isn’t the dizzying array of bright panels and instrument clusters that so many other SUVs feel obliged to shoe-horn into their cabins – just the information you need in elegant blue-light displays.

Naturally, as this is a car with volume, the new Kuga offers 46-litres more luggage compartmentspace than the current model, while the rear seats

fold flat in one movement.

Moving people and gear in this car is not a problem, with roof bars ready to take anything even bigger along.

One of my favourite features is the handsfree tailgate. This is a natty little feature developed by Ford that enables anyone who has the car keys on their person to simply wave their Louboutin-clad foot under the rear of the car for the boot to automatically open. Class!

No more bending down or balancing boxes on your knee while fumbling for the key fob with this baby!

So, we have brains, beauty and muscle ... but at what cost? Does this Kuga pump out emissions? Now, that just wouldn’t be right.

This new Kuga will deliver class-leading fuel economy through significantly improved fuel efficiency. Diesel engine fuel consumption has been improved by an impres-

Even the boot and storage space impresses

sive 10%.

In Ireland, the new Kuga is available with a 2.0-litre TDCi Duratorq diesel engine with 140PS in front-wheel drive and AWD versions.

There is some impressive details in terms of safety, as this model was awarded a maximum fivestar rating by Euro NCAP after achieving an overall protection score of 88% – the highest-ever for a midsized SUV. The independent vehicle safety organisation awarded new Kuga an Advanced reward for

Ford SYNC with emergency assistance.

Upon detecting airbag deployment or activation of the emergency fuel shut-off within the car, emergency assistance uses the on-board GPS locator and bluetoothpaired device to set up an emergency call and provide GPS co-ordinates, in the local language, which gives any driver huge piece-of-mind at home and when driving abroad.

With a starting price of €33,450, the Kuga is a car you are going to want to cage as soon as possible.

3 October 2013 CASTLEKNOCK gazette 25

Gazette

TRAVEL fast

TRAVEL Pamper yourself – and fight cancer, too

The Europa hotel’s Causerie restaurant is an ideal spot to grab a bite

northern ireland: make tracks to belfast for a great value getaway

This theatre deal deserves an encore ...

 dave phillips

IN OUR recent history, theatre has played an important part in shaping our national identity.

While we’re lucky to enjoy a good selection of performances in Dublin, it’s encouraging to see even more options being added to the mix through the new Theatre Express service offered by NI Railways .

The Theatre Express is a package deal that includes rail travel from Dublin to Belfast, tickets to a show at the Grand Opera House, and bed and breakfast at the Europa Hotel in Belfast city centre, for approximately €120pps.

The Grand Opera House has been one of the centres of theatre in

Belfast since its construction in 1895, and regularly hosts shows and musicals on tour from London’s West End. With just over 1,000 seats, it is an intimate venue, so every seat in the house commands a great view of the stage.

Part of the appeal of the new package is its ease of use. The Enterprise service goes direct from Connolly station, and takes around two hours to reach central Belfast.

From there, a 10-minute train journey brings you to Great Victoria Street station, which is right next door to the Europa hotel.

The Europa, which dates back to the early 1970s, is one of the most prestigious hotels in Belfast and has hosted US

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

‘The walk from the train station, to the hotel, to the theatre takes less than a minute – cumulatively’

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

presidents, politicians, and famous performers through the years.

T he hotel is also located right next to the theatre. And so, the walk from the train station, to the hotel, to the theatre takes less than a minute – cumulatively – which makes it very accessible, particularly for anyone bringing along children.

 natalie burke

The Europa hotel has hosted presidents and movie celebrities – you could feel like a star yourself with its surprisingly affordable deals

While not included in the package, the Europa’s Causerie restaurant is an ideal spot to eat and provides a two-course pretheatre menu with tea or coffee for approximately €17 per person.

The Theatre Express package also allows you to choose from a range of trains going back and forth, so it can be a great opportunity to spend a little extra time exploring Belfast, either during the day before the show or on the day following.

With a very successful fortnight run of Evita having just finished, which saw plenty of people coming up from Dublin, NI Railways are planning to extend the offer for the rest of the year, and hopefully for next year as well.

Next up on the sched-

Get behind this great deal which includes a topshow at Belfast’s Grand Opera House

ule – and representing some more excellent-value Theatre Express deals – the Grand Opera House is set to feature some more musical Andrew Lloyd Webber action by staging Cats, from November 4 to November 16 (€120pps), and then

moves into panto season with Sleeping Beauty, which runs from November 30 to next January 19 (€110pps).

For further information on these and other offers, see www.translink.co.uk/ theatreexpress, or call (0044) 028 9024 2420.

DUNBOYNE Castle Hotel’s Seoid Spa has launched a brand-new fundraising initiative to coincide with this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this month.

All of October, Seoid Spa will donate €10 from every Voya Facial Experience booked from Monday to Friday to the Irish Cancer Society (ICS).

This organic, holistic facial treatment uses natural Irish seaweed, which gently exfoliates while hydrating and plumping tired, dehydrated skin.

Located just minutes from Dublin, Seoid Spa is set over three floors and has one of Ireland’s most extensive thermal treatment facilities, including an outdoor jacuzzi.

The Voya Facial Experience is priced at just €50, with €10 going to the ICS. To enjoy a midweek treat while supporting services for breast cancer, book your appointment now.

See www.dunboynecastlehotel. com, email seoid@ dunboynecastle.com or call 01 681 6534.

26 CASTLEKNOCK GAZETTE 3 October 2013

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3 October 2013 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 27

soccer P28

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dublinsport Let the Gazette keep you up to date with all the best local sporting action from around the city as we cover all the stories that matter to you and your community

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H STARof the MONTH

Jim gavin

Children from across Ireland were on hand at the GOAL Challenge which saw All-Ireland champions Dublin play an exhibition match

charity: wear your colours to help international aid effort

round Tower’s All-Ireland hero of 1995 proved his mettle once again on the largest stage in September when he guided his Dublin senior footballers to their second national title in three years against Mayo in an enthralling and composed performance on the big day.

Going for GOAL as Dublin TEAM MONTH H gears up for Jersey Day

of the

International aid charity GOAL is encouraging schools and organisations across Dublin to sign up for GOAL Jersey Day on Friday, October 11.

People across the county will be wearing their favourite sporting jersey to school or work for the day to raise money.

It will give Dublin fans the perfect chance to show their support and gratitude to the All-Ireland football champions by donning the famous blue jersey.

Students from DCU in Glasnevin, Divine Word NS in Rathfarnham, Dun Laoghaire Senior College, Griffith College on the South Circular Road, Harold Boys NS in Dalkey, Kildare Place School on Rathmines Road, Sacred Heart BNS in Ballygall and Oatlands College in Blackrock have already signed up, while staff in 123.ie in Dublin 18, AIG on Merrion Road, Dexia Bank Belgium in the IFSC, Diageo in St James’s Gate, Facebook on Hanover

Quay, FBD Insurance in Bluebell, HP Ireland in Tallaght, The National Lottery Offices, Pfizer Ireland in Clondalkin, Salesforce in Sandyford, Heatons in Tallaght are also taking part, along with all AIB, FBD and Ulster Bank branches throughout the county.

However, it’s still not too late for others to join in the fun, according to GOAL chief executive, Barry Andrews.

“One of the reasons why GOAL Jersey Day is so popular

is that it is so easy to organise,” he said.

All proceeds from the event will be used to fund GOAL’s programmes in 13 countries across three continents, where it continues to assist hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people. The organisation is one of a small number of aid agencies working inside Syria.

To register for GOAL Jersey Day and receive a start-up pack, call GOAL on (01) 2809 779, or email jerseyday@goal.ie.

malahide united MALAHIDE United broke new ground for Irish football last weekend when their Under-13 side finished fourth at the Danone Nations Cup in London’s Wembley stadium, beating Germany, Holland and Spain on their way to the semi-final against Brazil.

Gazette

28 CASTLeKNOCK Gazette 3 October 2013

SPORT

FastSport

soccer: another set of good results for castleknock

Coolmine lose at home in Leinster League tie COOLMINE were looking to get their first win of the season in front of an expectant home crowd.

Wanderers, however, had other plans and after some fine offloads through Coolmine tackles, Wanderers scored a fine try under the posts to give them an early 7-0 lead.

Coolmine looked to set up a platform to attack from the kick-off, but after they attempted to spread the ball wide to their backs, Wanderers turned over possession, flashed the ball out to the left winger, and he raced in from his own 22m line to score a fine individual try.

Coolmine regrouped and managed to string some phases together and on their first meaningful foray into the Wanderers 22, they came away with a penalty which was converted by Donal Crotty.

The Ashbrook side continued to pile on the pressure and five minutes later after a missed drop goal by Gavin McIntyre, Crotty converted another penalty to cut the deficit to 14-6 with six minutes remaining in the first half.

After a poor clearance kick from the restart, Wanderers strung a few passes together and managed to break the Coolmine line for another try under the posts. This left the score at 21-6 going into half time.

Seven minutes into the second half, centre David Steacy was sinbinned and Wanderers converted the resultant penalty to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Nine minutes later Coolmine were down to 13 men after prop Robbie Savage was sinbinned at the scrum. In spite of some solid defence, however, Wanderers managed to burrow their way over in the corner after some patient play.

Once Coolmine were restored to their full complement and with Tiernan O’Donoghue coming on at scrum half, they managed to put Wanderers on the back foot. Fine breaks from John Lee, Geoff Mullen and Gerald O’Rourke set up a fine platform for Gavin McIntyre to crash over for Coolmine’s first try of the game.

With 10 minutes remaining Coolmine were looking to try and salvage a point from the game but after a momentary lapse of concentration, the Wanderers winger managed to get a toe to a loose ball and dotted down in the corner.

McIntyre managed to get his second try of the game which was converted by Crotty.

Liam Tobin scores for Castleknock Celtic’s NDSL Under-14C team in their 7-3 win over Meath rivals, Ratoath Harps

Celtic strike at will again  sport@gazettegroup.com

Castleknock Celtic talented Under-11 DDSL side kept a tight hold of top slot in their division after a brace each for Francis Albert Uy and Kacem Touihri, and a goal from Traian Rebegea, along with an own goal, gave them an impressive away win against Peamount United, which helped to maintain their unbeaten run in the league.

The Under-11D team travelled to Ballyfermot and were equally impressive against Orchard Celtic.

Castleknock’s first goal

came from a free kick taken by Great Imole from 30 yards out, which he curled into the top right-hand corner of the net, a contender for goal of the season.

Imole hit his second minutes later, before Will Hennessy delivered a corner ball to Callum Oliphant who rose to head it into the back of the net.

The solid defence from Alasdair Thom, Adam Nolan, Tristan Browne and Tom Maxwell held strong, although Orchard Celtic were rewarded with their first goal in the closing minutes of the first half.

a grand day out Luttrellstown hold their 2013 President’s event luttrellstown Golf Club recently held their 2013 President’s Prize event, which proved a great success. Pictured at the prizegiving were Colm Hannon (chief executive, Luttrellstown Castle), captain Bobby Hawkshaw, Sue Hannon (winner of the Ladies’ President prize), Kieran McManus (president of Luttrellstown Golf Club), Eamonn Coghlan (winner of Men’s President prize), Yvonne Coghlan (lady captain of Luttrellstown Golf Club) and Anne Marie McManus.

Scott Daly found the target for goal number four, coming from another Hennessy cross.

Oliphant came close to scoring a second goal, but Imole was on target to claim a hat-trick before Celtic brought the score to 6-1.

Orchard Celtic responded with another goal coming from a free kick and then came the seventh and final goal for Castleknock from Klevis Malaj, from a Hennessy assist.

The DDSL 11C team had a tough battle with Malahide United, but they also came out vic-

torious which keeps their unbeaten run intact and the team in second place in the league behind the leaders Lourdes Celtic.

Meanwhile, Celtic’s NDSL Under-16C team took on league leaders Navan Road United in Porterstown.

The Celts were dealt a cruel blow when Navan Road scored what can only be described as a freakish goal following their first attack. They were then caught napping conceding a second.

Despite inspirational play from captain Sean Costelloe, Celtic trailed 0-2 at half-time.

Mid way through the second half, Liam O’ Neill and Peter Germaine were introduced.

Within minutes, a goal was clawed back when Alex Regan, who had chased a lost cause, beat his man before hitting a right foot shot that tore past the talented Navan Road keeper.

Further pressure from Celtic finally told with 10 minutes left when Regan squared the ball across the box to O’Neill who drifted wide before rifling the ball into the net and earning Celtic a deserved share of the points from this home tie.

3 October 2013 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 29

Gazette

Brogan hopes to be in contention for 2014  sport@gazettegroup.com

ST OLIVER Plunkett’s/ Eoghan Ruadh star Alan Brogan is hopeful that he can play a greater part in the Dubs’ 2014 All-Ireland senior football campaign.

Injury prevented the 2011 Footballer of the Year from playing a single minute of competitive intercounty football

in 2013 though he did gain sufficient fitness to be included on the bench for the September final victory over Mayo.

Speaking at the GOAL challenge at Parnell Park, he said that he does not envisage retiring any time soon: “Not playing all year, it probably would be hard to walk away.

“My first objective has

to be to get back playing regularly. I have played no regular football now for 15, 16 months so I think that is most important at the moment.”

He was delighted that his younger brother Bernard produced a masterclass in the final, kicking 2-3.

“He got a bit of criticism over the year, prob-

ably some of it unfair,” he said.

“The players in this group, and the management, don’t need to see Bernard scoring six, seven or eight points in every match. Some people think he doesn’t play well unless he does that, but that’s not the view of the management or the players.”

Club Noticeboard castleknock It was a great weekend for the

Having won their group and con-

intermediate footballers, who had

tinuing to win highly-competitive

a big win away to Clann Mhuire to

quarter- and semi-final matches,

seal their place in the promotion

the final and sixth match of the

play-offs.

day took its toll and the ladies were

Attention now to turns to Parnell

Well done to the U-11 footballers

on St Pat’s Donabate in the cham-

who continue their great season

pionship. Throw-in is at 4pm, and a

with a win in the Templeogue Invita-

big crowd is needed to help support

tional tournament.

the team.

hurling: russell park side progress in shc

beaten by one point.

Park next weekend, as the lads take

The big end-of-year fundraiser is

Both minor hurling teams also had

fast-approaching, with the launch of

a fantastic weekend, with the first

the Strictly Dancing Experience set

team overcoming Clontarf away,

for October 12 in the Carpenter. The

and the second team beating Lucan,

evening will introduce the dancers,

also away.

and partners for the main event on

The adult ladies team were so

November 9 will also be announced.

close to rounding off a near-per-

The Great Car Giveaway is ongo-

fect weekend for the adult section,

ing, with details on the website of

and were unfortunate to have been

how you could be in with a chance to

beaten in the junior championship

win a brand new car, in conjunction

final of the Tesco Homegrown All-

with the clubhouse appeal.

Ireland Sevens competition on Saturday.

There was no winner of the Lotto jackpot, which stands at €5,200.

st brigid’s IT WAS A brilliant afternoon on Sunday

is welcome. Contact Paul on 087 915

in Russell Park for all those who took

4748 or email info@stbrigidsgaa.com

part in the Colour Splash Run/Walk.

for more information.

Thanks to all the organisers and to all the sponsors for a great day.

There were some great wins on the St Brigid’s hurlers progressed into the next round of the Dublin senior hurling championships. Picture: Chris Lynam

Brigid’s into last eight of the championship  sport@gazettegroup.com

A 12-point win over already eliminated Na Fianna saw St Brigid’s ease through to the quarter-finals of the Dublin senior hurling championship in Blakestown last Sunday as winners of Group C. It came off the back of a sterling second half showing after the first half had ended even. But they built a five-point lead in jig-time after the change of ends and were well clear going down the final stretch.

Laois star John O’Loughlin, Daire Plunkett and Pat Rohan

were all among the scorers in a powerful showing in which Brendan McEnerney and Paddy McAvinue made strong impacts.

It meant that they topped the group ahead of reigning champions Kilmacud Crokes who were on the verge of elimination until Sean McGrath’s last-gasp point earned a draw against St Jude’s.

That result saw them rise above the Terenure side into second in the group and into the final eight.

There was no such luck for St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh

who fell 3-15 to 0-8 to a Ballinteer St John’s side for whom Glenn Whelan, Joey Maher, Aodan Clabby and Ciaran Lane did the damage.

The group ended with three sides level on four points with Ballinteer leading the way on points difference – plus 13 – and Crumlin second on plus seven.

Had Plunkett’s come within nine points of St John’s in their final group game, it would have been enough to advance, but they struggled to get going.

Elsewhere, St Brigid’s AHL7 side advanced their title hopes with

a 1-12 to 3-4 win over Naomh Fionnbarra last week. Three first half goals for Finbar’s had them ahead by one point at 3-0 to 1-5 – James Reilly on the mark for Brigid’s – but the Dublin 15 club pulled clear in the second period as Neil Plunkett added three points and Maurice Sweeney added to his tally to eventually see the side over the line by two points.

The win leaves Brigid’s in second place and keeps the pressure on the league leaders, St Jude’s, for the final round of fixtures this weekend.

Our club shop runs every Friday evening from 7pm and every Saturday morning from 10am.

playing field last week, with our senior

Our lotto jackpot is €6,400 for this

hurlers qualifying for the champion-

week’s draw on Thursday in Russell

ship quarter-finals after beating Na

Park.

Fianna.

Great wins also for our AFL 5 foot-

White-collar boxing returns to Russell Park on October 19 v Coolmine

ballers, U-15 A and B hurlers, while our

Rugby Club. Tickets are on sale this

AFL 4 and AFL 7 footballers drew.

week. Anyone who wishes to sponsor

Congratulations to Audrey Mc Cormack and Sabrina Hughes who won the ladies junior All-Ireland handball title on Friday.

a page in the Fight Night programme, contact Billy on 087 417 2333.

The senior footballers face Thomas Davis in the last 16 of the SFC this Fri-

Our club nursery continues to go

day evening at 7.30pm in Newcastle,

from strength to strength and remains

while our inter 1s face Scoil Ui Chonaill

open for all four- to seven-year-olds

on Saturday evening in the IFC at 5pm

in Castleknock and Blanchardstown,

in Cloghran.

every Saturday morning from 9.30am.

The U-15A hurlers play their cham-

Great to see so many new members

pionship final on Sunday in Parnell

and families arriving down. Everyone

Park at 12 noon.

westmanstown/garda There were no senior or juvenile

Hospital last Monda y including

fixtures this weekend but train-

Gael’s Mark Wright. Mark was in

ing continues during the week and

theatre when the team arrived so

the nursery runs from 10am every

Jim left a video message for Mark

Saturday at Westmanstown’s all-

on his dad’s phone. The gesture was

weather facility. Ask for Geraldine.

hugely appreciated. We wish Mark a

All new members boys and girls are welcome. Visit www.westmanstowngaels.ie for more information.

A big thank you to Jim Gavin and his charges for visiting Crumlin

speedy recovery.

Finally, condolences to David Hanley, his family and friends on the death of his father during the week.

May he rest in peace.

GazetteSPORT all of your castleknock sports coverage from page 27-29

celtic cruising: Peamount United, Orchard Celtic and Malahide United bow to Castleknock U-11s P28

october 3, 2013

going for goal: Get set for Jersey Day to help international charity P27

Castleknock’s footballers will be looking to continue their recent good form when they face St Pat’s Donabate in the intermediate championship

’Knock close in on treble AFL3 play-offs loom large as Castleknock senior football team aim for third consecutive promotion as championship campaign continues

 stephen findlater

sport@gazettegroup.com

CASTLEKNOCK’S adult footballers moved a big step closer to their third successive promotion courtesy of a thumping 7-21 to 1-7 win over Clann Mhuire in the Naul last Sunday.

The win all but guarantees them a playoff place in AFL3, having raced their way up through AFL4 and AFL5 in the past two seasons.

Having gone all the way to the junior AllIreland club championship final last term, it means another extended season for the Somerton side.

But the team’s David Sweeney is relishing the prospect of pushing on for more glory, and says that their elevation is showing little sign of abating.

“We set a target to win promotion and the championship and both those things are still alive,” he told GazetteSport.

“If we do get promoted to Division Two, we are good enough to be in there, and our team is only young. We’re on the up and don’t fear anything, and it will be the same next year regardless of what division we are in.”

It was their second big win in succession having had 18 points to spare over Clan na Gael Fontenoy in mid-September. Com-

bined with the Clann Mhuire result, it has significantly boosted their points difference, a key factor in putting the side virtually out of reach of St Brigid’s in the play-off race.

It puts the side in great shape for a date with St Patrick’s Donabate in the intermediate championship second round on Saturday afternoon in Parnell Park (4pm), a big ask against one of the competition’s favourites following their AFL2 victory.

Reflecting on his side’s current form, though, Sweeney says they are in the right frame of mind to progress.

“A couple of league games didn’t go our way, ones we didn’t close out so we put a big push on in the last three games to make the

playoffs which we did. From there, it sets us up nicely now for the intermediate championship on Saturday.

“We will be focusing on our own game and performing the way we know we can.

If we do that, there are very few teams we won’t put it up to. We’ve every confidence we will get over the line.

“Everybody has come back at the right time. Graham Hannigan, who was involved with the Dublin minors and the Under-21s last year, has had awful trouble with his groin and that was a major concern but that has cleared up. He played 20 minutes on Saturday and so if he’s fully fit, we’re nearly at a full complement now.”