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January 9, 2014
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2012 R ow l ag h • B aw n o g u e • N e i l stow n • D e a n s r at h • K i n g swo o d Month • Ta lXX, l ag h t INSIDE: Self-published author is rising star: Musician sings his way on the ball with her novel about a through the ranks on The Voice P4 football team for mothers Page 25
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ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES....................... 8 DUBLIN LIFE....................11 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................27
Looney decides to leave Labour ian begley
SOUTH Dublin Mayor Dermot Looney has resigned from the Labour Party, becoming the 27th councillor to leave the political party since 2011. The 31-year-old school teacher, who represents the Tallaght Ward, intends to run in the local elections in May as an independent, but believes this will be difficult. Speaking to The Gazette, Looney said: “I won’t have any financial sup-
port. I won’t have the support of a party apparatus behind me – so it’s going to be very tricky.” His decision to leave the Labour Party is rooted in several personal grievances with the junior coalition party. Commenting on the announcement of Looney’s resignation, Labour deputy Robert Dowds said: “I’m very disappointed that Dermot has taken this course of action.” Full Story on Page 6
Happy holiday: Gala flies Robert home for Christmas festivities lucky man Robert Tiernan was one of 15 winners to be flown home to Ireland by Gala Retail, to celebrate its 15th anniversary and The Gathering 2013. Robert flew back from Toronto in Canada to
spend Christmas with his family in Ireland. He met Lisa Harding, store manager of Gala at Russell Square Centre in Tallaght, when he came home recently. Picture: Shane O’Neill/Fennell Photography
4 CLONDALKIN Gazette 9 January 2014
dublin GAZETTe newspapers i n f o r m at i o n
contest The Voice of Ireland returns
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Sean Sunderland: “I’m not asking for a mega-superstar status. I’m just looking to be comfortable – just to live my life doing what I love”
Sunderland expresses himself and wows fans
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ian begley ibegley@gazettegroup.com
CLONDALKIN musician Sean Sunderland is battling through the ranks on The Voice of Ireland - successfully getting through to the dreaded blind auditions last week. Sean (19) from Deansrath told the Gazette that since performing his rendition of Express Yourself by Labrinth, he has been getting phenomenal support from his friends, family and well wishers. He said: “My family, friends and girlfriend are giving me constant support. People from all over have been leav-
ing me comments on Twitter sending on their best wishes.” Starting off in a band several years ago, Sean found his vocal abilities when he took over as the group’s singer. It was only after his girlfriend, Zoey, persuaded him to try out for The Voice that he decided to take the first step and try his luck at the auditions in The Helix “The thing that made me audition was my girlfriend. I said I’d go for it if she auditioned herself. It was more getting her to do it because she’s an unbelievable singer. “I had been waiting to go on for about 12 hours in the Helix. I was there from about 8am that morning until I went on [at] about 8pm. “All day you’re kind
of nervous and then your adrenaline starts going, then you get nervous again. By the end of it you get so tired and so fed up with waiting. I just wanted to get it done.” Sean believes the advantages of having blind auditions over a traditional panel of judges are that performers are judged by their singing ability alone. “On X Factor, when you walk onto the stage, the judges already know whether they like you or not, whereas on The Voice they don’t know what you look like or know anything about you – they just hear your voice and judge you on that alone.” However, Sean said the disadvantages of blind auditions are that they seem to be more nerve racking for the
contestants. “I found it very nerve racking knowing that they were probably making faces to each other saying stuff [about my performance]. It does play on your mind a bit.” When catching up with the judges after his audition, Sean said that they all seemed “very down to earth”. “They would be there standing in front of you chatting to you like they’re your mate. They’re more there for the buzz and banter.” Despite having to eventually contest against those who also got through the blind auditions, Sean said his relationship has been very good with his fellow competitors. He said: “Funnily e n o u g h , y o u wo u l d think that we would
be nice to each other’s faces with a load of backstabbing going on at the same time, but it’s actually been really great. A lot of us are staying in contact though Facebook and Twitter.” Sean has now progressed to the notorious Battle Rounds of The Voice, and is part of Team Dolores with two other singers. The blind auditions will continue until Sunday, February 9, with the Battles beginning Sunday, February 16. Sean has yet to find out who he’ll be competing against, but remains humble in his aspirations. “I’m not asking for a mega-superstar status. I’m just looking to be comfortable – just to live my life doing what I love,” said Sean.
9 January 2014 CLONDALKIN Gazette 5
council: telecoms operator lodges planning application
Wheatfield
Prison set for theatre
New Eircom data centre plan hailed EIRCOM has lodged a planning application for a major new data centre in Clondalkin. The application for the construction of a two-storey data centre at Crag Avenue, Clondalkin Industrial Estate, which has a gross floor area of 43,805sq m, and a twostorey office building, was lodged on December 23 with South Dublin County Council. It will comprise a number of facilities including offices, computer and associated support areas and electrical component rooms. To make way for the new development, an existing logistics centre and buildings will be demolished, while an
existing mobile phone mast will be retained. The development is expected to be completed over a minimum of two phases and is reported to be a €200m investment for the telecommunications operator. A spokesperson for Eircom confirmed a planning application had been lodged and the outcome is awaited. Commenting on the planning application, Labour’s local election candidate for Clondalkin, Ken Kinsella, said this is more good news for Clondalkin. “Clondalkin is attracting major investments from many different companies. This potential €200 million invest-
ment by Eircom in Clondalkin Industrial Estate could create hundreds of construction jobs, and local people and local businesses will benefit. “I want to congratulate Eircom on making a good investment in Clondalkin and considering the other major companies which have invested in Clondalkin recently, hopefully we will see more of the same in the near future. “Google, Microsoft, Pfizer and Digital Realty trust have all invested large sums of money into Clondalkin in the last two years, and show that Clondalkin is now a serious player in terms of attracting investment.”
Cheque it out: Texaco fills in the blanks for Temple Street Hospital texaco Filling Station in Clondalkin has recently raised
€2,500 for Temple Street Children’s Hospital. The store manager Igor Gorowski and store assistant Anna Olejnik presented the cheque to Marian Carew, nursing director of Temple Street Children’s Hospital.
THE Abbey Theatre will take its current production of The Risen People out of the theatre to perform the show for free in Wheatfield Prison on January, 13. This tour forms part of their community and education programme, and is designed to forge relationships with community groups and the education sector. Wheatfield Prison, the first port of call for the Abbey Theatre’s tour, has a strong commitment to education and the arts. This closed, medium security prison in Clondalkin provides a broad-based general curriculum, including teaching in creative arts subjects, for prisoners aged 17 to late 60s.
6 CLONDALKIN Gazette 9 January 2014
FastNews
politics 27th councillor to quit party
Council offers Christmas tree recycling service South Dublin County Council is offering the public a Christmas tree recycling service free of charge from now until Friday, January 17. The collection points in Clondalkin are in Corkagh Park (St John’s Road entrance car park, St John’s Road entrance car park, and Green Isle car park at Caravan Park entrance), Collinstown Park, Quarryvale Park, Foxdene open space, Grand Canal open space, and Park’s Depot on Mill Lane. For a full list of the collection points in South Dublin visit www.sdcc.ie/.
Animal Ark announces €2.5k winner Reigning in the New Year, Clondalkin-based animal charity Animal Ark announced the winner of its €2,500 shopping spree prize. The lucky winner was Geraldine Murtagh, from Co Meath, who was thrilled with her win. She boasted: “I’m going to shop until I drop.” The winning ticket was drawn by Clondalkin Cllr Trevor Gilligan (FF) and supervised by Clondalkin gardai. Animal Ark’s next draw will be for an exotic holiday worth €2,500 and will take place in June 2014.
Mayor of South Dublin Cllr Dermot Looney has resigned from the Labour Party
South Dublin Mayor resigns from Labour
Ian Begley
SOUTH Dublin County Mayor Dermot Looney has resigned from the Labour Party, becoming the 27th councillor to leave the political party since 2011. The 31-year-old school teacher, who represents the Tallaght Ward, intends to run in the local elections in May as an independent, but believes this will be difficult. Speaking to the Gazette, Looney said: “I think it’s going to be very difficult to be elected as an independent. I won’t have any financial support, I won’t have the sup-
port of a party apparatus behind me - so it’s going to be very tricky.” His decision to leave the Labour Party is rooted in several personal grievances with the junior coalition party. “It’s not a case of moving aside for electoral reasons; really I’m moving because the Labour Party isn’t for me anymore and I came to that realisation over the past couple of months. “There’s no real opportunity for ordinary members or councillors to have an impact on what the party does in Government. I’m very concerned with the way the Labour
Party is going and the direction it’s headed in, and I think the time has come really for me to go.” Looney believes that his fellow party members have been very civil and understanding with his decision to leave, but not supportive. He said: “I’ve been absolutely overwhelmed with good wishes from people locally. I have to say that people in the Labour Party have been very civil and understanding towards me in general. “I wouldn’t classify their feelings towards me as supportive. They’re obviously going to stay in
the party and I wish them well. “I don’t think anyone is particularly surprised [with my resignation]. I think people who are close to me knew this was going to come or at least had a sense that it was going to come. “I don’t think Robert [Dowds TD] would be particularly happy with [my decision to resign], but I wouldn’t expect any member of the Parliamentary Labour Party to be happy with it,” said Looney. He added that he will continue his duties as mayor for South Dublin until his term officially
ends in May, and hopes to maintain good relations with his former party. He said: “I would hope to have [good] relationships with the Labour Party going forward. Robert Dowds said: “I’m very disappointed that Dermot has taken this course of action. It really is a shame. The country is starting to recover and we are getting back on our feet. “There are thousands of jobs coming on stream. This is only happening because Labour went into coalition and had to make hard decisions. It’s unfortunate that Dermot can’t see that.”
courts
Eight charged over Tallaght death A JUDGE has called on South Dublin County Council to demolish a pedestrian bridge in Tallaght where a young man was recently attacked, and later died, because it poses a danger to the community. Judge Anthony Halpin made this comment as two men in their 20s were charged in connection with the death of Dale Creighton (20) in Tallaght District Court. Jason Beresford (20) and Gerard Stephens (24) were caught on CCTV at St Dominic’s Road, Tallaght, at about 4am on January 1when Creighton was severely assaulted. They are remanded on bail with strict conditions, and along with six other co-accused are due to appear in court again on January 16. Seven men and one woman have been charged following the inquiry into Creighton’s death. Beresford and Stephens have been charged with violent disorder. Their addresses were not disclosed due to safety concerns. In accordance with their bail conditions, they must sign on daily at their local Garda station and obey a curfew. They were also told to stay out of Tallaght and not to contact each other or the six other coaccused.
9 January 2014 CLONDALKIN Gazette 7
red alert Flooding and fallen trees cause emergencies
Council at full tilt in stormy weather ian begley ibegley@gazettegroup.com
SOUTH Dublin County Council has removed 120 fallen trees, and responded to a number of other incidents related to the adverse weather conditions the country experienced during the Christmas period. Reports of fallen trees were dealt with before and af ter Christmas by the council during the red-alert gale force winds, which in some areas caused minor road blockages. Among the other incidents occurring in South Dublin due to bad weather were damage to
a number of traffic light signals, drainage issues, water disruptions, and building damage. According to the council, 14 f looded roads were cleared and staff responded to some surface water pooling across the county relating to blocked gullies, and incidents of spot flooding occurred on the N4, N7 national routes and the N81 (Tallaght by -pass) in the county. The water section responded to water disruptions in several areas of the county where people experienced reduced pressures or loss of service for a short period due to eight burst water
mains. A dangerous building call was also responded to as a result of glass windows blowing out of a vacant building which caused disruption on the Luas red line service to the Tallaght terminus for a period of time. The council removed six blown-down road signs, along with four lots of hoarding/building rubble. A total of 41 cases of twisted or damaged traffic light heads were also reported to the council. Cllr Trevor Gilligan (FF) has criticised the council, saying that the trees planted in Clondalkin housing
estates are too high. He said: “This is something I never thought I would see in Clondalkin. I am told time after time by residents that if there is a strong wind, the tree outside their house will collapse. “In almost every estate in Clondalkin, the trees are too big. The trees simply are not suitable in housing estates. In my 10 years on the council, I have only ever got one tree removed - that was a tough battle. “On most occasions, South Dublin Council states that the trees are suitable and no work is required. I only hope this issue opens the
A fallen tree in Monastery Estate
council’s eyes. “Council must produce a full report for each estate and the trees therein. “It shouldn’t take an injury or accident for the council to stand up and take notice. Council
must take action before strong winds strike again,” said Gilligan. A spokesperson from the South Dublin County Council said: “The council has a number of maintenance crews on standby to deal with
emergencies over the holiday period. In addition we also provide an emergency 24/7 service where members of the public seeking assistance in an emergency can contact 01 457 4907.”
8 clondalkin gazette 9 January 2014
gazetteGALLERY
First woman to win 10K fun run Grace Kennedy
Laurel’s Charity Crew project manager Dennis McCarthy, with Elle McLoughlin, Gemma and Philip Carr, and bar manager Damien Long. Pictures: Cathy Weatherston
presentation: defibrillators for 29 clondalkin schools
Laurels crew put heart back into fundraising
T
hose who supported and took part in the Defibz 4 Kidz 10k Fun Run/Walk in October came to the Laurels Pub recently to see the handover of the defibrillators to all 29 schools in Clondalkin. The presentation was made on behalf of the Laurel’s Clondalkin
and The Ciaran Carr Foundation. A representative from each school was on hand to collect their defibrillator and pose for a picture with Gemma and Philip Carr and members of the Laurels Charity Crew. On the night, a cheque for €32,791.74 was on display which
allowed people to see the total amount raised. Later in the night a raffle was held in which prizes such as a bathroom suite, a satnav and numerous other prizes were up for grabs. Overall the night was a huge success.
Evelyn Crothers and Josie
Sinead Nic Aonghusa,
Principal Marie Mullins, Divine Mercy Jr Callaghan, Gaelscoil Chluain
Derek Murray, Clonburris NS,
Gaelscoil Na Camoige and Elle
NS, with Philip and Gemma Carr
with Philip Carr
McLoughlin
Dolcain
Winner of 10K Charity run Ciaran Reilly
Gemma Carr and Laurel’s manager Damien Long
9 January 2014 clondalkin gazette 9
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Philip and Gemma Carr with Minister Frances Fitzgerald (FG)
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Eileen Doyle, Geraldine Heller and Barbara
Eddie O’Byrne, Moyle Park College
Murphy, St Ronan’s
with Gemma Carr
Jason Joyce, David Clark, Eoghan Young, Barry Keane and Derek Murray
10 CLONDALKIN Gazette 9 January 2014
9 January 2014 Gazette 11
diary P14
asdfsdaf businessP27 P16
dublinlife Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week
Gazette
feature P12
what’son factor in this exciting news for your plans in february:
Ex-Dublin footballer Gerry Collins is the face of a HSE campaign for 2014 to encourage smokers to give up their habit
campaign: grim warning from ex-footballer with terminal lung cancer
Act now to stub out your smoking habit Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
A FORMER smoker, who is now suffering from terminal lung cancer, has become the face of HSE’s QUIT smoking campaign for 2014. Ex-Dublin footballer Gerry Collins from Greystones will feature in a series of TV adverts to encourage smokers to give up the dreaded weed this year. Gerry and his family have volunteered to be part of this new phase of the HSE and Irish Cancer Society’s QUIT campaign, in the hope that their
story will inspire and encourage other smokers to quit. His involvement in the campaign began in 2011, when he was featured in TV adverts, telling of his recovery from tobacco-related throat cancer. However, this summer, Gerry contacted the HSE again to let them know that he had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. While attending the advert campaign’s preview event, Gerry said: “There were three reasons I decided I wanted to do this.
“Firstly, it was for myself – a positive thing for me to invest my energy in while dealing with my cancer. Secondly, I thought it would be good for my family, creating something powerful and meaningful for my kids to look back on.
“Worth it” “And, finally, if even one person stops smoking because of what we’ve done, then it will all be worth it, for me.” Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe, national director of health and wellbeing, the
HSE, said: ‘By working with us to create new, hard-hitting TV commercials, and by discussing his smoking, his illness, his expected death and the anticipated loss to his family, Gerry hopes to inspire other people to quit smoking.” John McCormack, chief executive of the Irish Cancer Society, said: “We are very grateful to Gerry Collins, who has shown extreme bravery and generosity.” The new adverts are now being broadcast on TV and radio and online at YouTube.
X-FACTOR fanatics will be in a state of blissful elation at finding out that the X-Factor Live Tour is coming to Dublin’s The O2. Fans have witnessed their favourite and not-so-favourite acts battle through their first audition, seen them struggle tirelessly through boot camp, excel at the judges’ houses, and finally contest against each other at the live television shows.
Acclaimed Now, they have the opportunity to see some of the most critically acclaimed acts in the entire competition perform live when they come to Dublin’s The O2 on February 17. The top eight acts that will take to the stage in this year’s live tour are Abi Alton, Sam Bailey, Hannah Barrett, Sam Callahan, Rough Copy, Tamera Foster, Luke Friend and Nicholas McDonald. Tickets for the show are priced from €57.75 and can be purchased now at www.ticketmaster.ie.
Gazette
12 Gazette 9 January 2014
dublinlife
feature
a day in the life: The Gazette speaks to calendar cover model
‘No such thing as an average day’
Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
This week, The Gazette got to speak to a real-life pin up with a difference in the hunky form of farmer Gareth Alcorn. Gareth became the cover model for an unusual charity calendar featuring real Irish farmers when he was dropping off animals for a photo shoot.
Farm Calendar was the brainchild of Ciara Ryan, a Dundrum native and all proceeds from its sale will go to Bothar, the Irish charity that helps to combat poverty abroad. Gareth Alcorn, who runs a pet farm called Nore Valley Park in Kilkenny, took The Gazette through an average day in his very busy life.
“Well, there’s no such thing as an average day for me but I get up at around 7.30am every morning, seven days a week and go around feeding the animals. “We have a wide range of animals on the farm so there are lots of different buckets of feed to organise. We have ducks, chickens, goats, sheep, rabbits,
Farmer Gareth Alcorn is the cover model for the charity calendar
deer and ostriches so it takes me about an hour and a half to go around them all and collect all the eggs. “At the moment we’re closed for the winter so we’re also doing a lot of maintenance work such
as mending fences and rebuilding stone walls. In the summer, though, we have a lot of school tours which come in around 10. “I meet them and there can be around 100 children involved so I organise all the other tour guides with their groups and I take a group too. “I lead them around and tell them stories of the animals. Like when they visit the deer, they have to be very quiet and I tell them they are Santa’s deer so they must be good or he’ll tell Santa on them. “After the children have held baby ducks and rabbits and seen eggs hatch, I take them on the tractor and trailer for a drive around the farm. I finish
this at around 2pm with tea for the teachers. “After that we get the day visitors, the general public whom I meet and greet and give a small bag of food and a map around the farm. “They drive around in pedal go-cars and go into a 3D maze that has 10 different permutations so they can progress to harder and harder levels. “From May to October I’m constantly bottle feeding lambs, goats and then deer and I’m on duty in case a sheep is lambing or a goat is having her kids. The last feed I give the animals is at 10pm so I’m pretty tired and in bed by 10.30pm. “I unwind by going up to Dublin to see my girlfriend at the weekends
and going around museums or for walks in the park, though girlfriends also need a lot of attention. I go to church on Sunday and am involved in a church group which is another way I unwind. “I’m not one for staying up late normally but if something comes up late at night, like a sheep lambing or an animal escaping, I have to deal with it. There’s also a caravan park here in the summer so I often have to get up to deal with security issues and fix burst pipes or whatever. I’m extremely busy all the time but I love it. It’s really a lifestyle more than a job.” Gareth appears on the cover of the calendar for 2014, available at www. farmercalendar.com.
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14 Gazette 9 January 2014
dublinlife
As if their big day wasn’t already memorable enough, Killiney newlyweds Sinead O’Sullivan and David O’Connor found Bono adding a little popstar magic to their wedding photos at Dalkey when he chanced upon the scene. Picture: Carol Ryan
diary
From ‘I do’ to U2 – Bono jumps in to newlywed shots THE wedding album of Killiney newlyweds Sinead O’Sullivan and David O’Connor will feature an unexpected rock star gatecrasher, in the form of Bono. The bride and groom were posing for their wedding snaps in Dalkey on December 28 when who should suddenly appear but the sunglassed one himself? The U2 front man happened by when out for a stroll, and got involved in several of the couple’s photos, even kissing the bride’s hand gallantly in one. The newlyweds, both teachers at Our Lady of Good Counsel Girl’s National School in Johnstown, Killiney were stunned and delighted by Bono’s willingness to appear in the wedding pictures. Their photographer, Carol Ryan, who had just finished photographing the happy couple at picturesque Coliemore Harbour in Dalkey, asked Bono if he would step into one or two of the snaps and he readily agreed. Bono had previously been seen busking on Grafton Street with Glen Hansard over the Christmas period.
work at taking all your leave IT SEEMS that Irish people would much rather be in work than at home, after a recent survey has shown that at least two-thirds of us are
working way too hard. The survey, which was carried out by Hotels. com, revealed that 65% of Irish people fail to take the annual leave that they’re entitled to every year. The main reason for not taking holidays is that they’re just too busy, and 37% of us resent not taking all our days off. While 22% of people are “too busy” to take their allotted leave, 20% admit they just don’t get around to taking them, while 15% make the effort to save their days but don’t find the time to take them before the festive season. Luckily, almost twothirds (63%) of workers are allowed to carry their holidays over to the following year. So, set one New Year’s resolution for 2014 that you’re bound to keep and take some time off!
Along with a picture of Ronan posing happily alongside the restaurant’s chef, Ronan said Storm’s favourite dish is butter chicken, while his favourite is lamp chops. (We think he meant lamb!)
celebs look ahead to 2014 TWITTER was alight with messages of good will for the New Year with some local celebrities wishing their followers the best for what’s to come. This week, The Diary takes a look at what some of our Dublin celeb’s were saying. The Voice presenter and former Westlife singer, Nicky Byrne, tweeted: “Wishing you all a very Happy New Year. ‘Go Get Em’ this year folks.” Before the clock struck 12 on New Year’s Eve, mentalist Keith Barry
thanked “anyone” who is following him, and said: “Hope you all have a great night tonight and attack the New Year with passion/positivity/dedication.” Xpose presenter Lisa Cannon was out and about celebrating the New Year, and to all her followers said: “Happy New Year!!! May 2014 bring you all the joy, happiness, love, lust and life you deserve and wish for! Beauty, brilliance and buckets of fun.” Meanwhile, Jedward – AKA John and Edward Grimes – ended 2013 with some of their fans while performing their show Beauty and the Beast at the Olympia. For those that could not be there with them, they posted a small video of the countdown and wrote: “Happy New Year! Ringing in the New Year with awesome fans.”
keating’s keen on local indian IN A brand-new Twitter account devoted to all things foodie, Ronan Keating has given a plug to a local Indian eatery in Malahide. Ronan set up the joint Twitter account with his girlfriend, Storm Uechtritz, in December, with the aim of talking about all things food, drink and travel related. In a tweet posted last week, the pair praised the local Kajjal restaurant in Malahide as being the “best Indian restaurant in Ireland”.
In typical Jedward form, the twins paid tribute to their fans in their New Year message
9 January 2014 Gazette 15
Gazette
feature community: helpline advice for older people
Seek help if you need it, seniors are urged
natalie burke
SENIOR Help Line, the phone service for older people, has issued advice for the older members of the community to help with the ever-changing and extreme winter weather conditions that Ireland has experienced in recent weeks. The helpline, which is operated by Third Age, was set up 15 years ago in an effort to tackle isolation and loneliness experienced by many older people. Speaking about the
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winter advice initiative, Senior Help Line chief executive Aine Brady said that winter, with its short days and cold nights, can be a difficult time for many. She said: “Older people tend to go into a kind of hibernation, staying indoors as much as possible while waiting for spring to make an appearance once again. “If you live on your own and have few social outlets – as is the case with many older people – being cut off can increase your sense of isolation
--------------------------
‘The helpline also advices older people to stay connected’ --------------------------
and loneliness. Added to this, people have the extra stress of meeting their ever-increasing energy bills.” Speaking on behalf of Third Age, head of communications Anne Dempsey told The Gazette why the helpline is such a unique service. She said: “When it was
first established, many older people had a phone but had nobody to talk to. It has expanded hugely in the past 15 years and it is older people listening to older people. It’s what makes it unique: it’s a peer-to-peer service.” As part of its winter initiative, the help line is encouraging older people to dress for winter and wear plenty of layers. It advises: “Fill a hot water bottle and have it on your lap during the day. “We lose a lot of heat through the head, so if it’s
Senior Help Line offers a Lo-Call service to help tackle isolation and loneliness
a really cold night, wear a night-cap in bed.” T he helpline also advices older people to stay connected. “When the weather is dry and not too cold, try to get outside and meet people. Don’t forget to wear a hat, gloves and scarf and nonslip boots on icy days.” T he helpline also advises older people to
keep active. If it’s too cold and windy to get outside, keep active indoors. “Don’t sit for hours at a time. Stand up and move around the house at least once an hour. Try some chair-based exercises – wiggle your toes, shake your hands, move your head side to side and move your arms up and down.”
One of the most important tips is to ask for help if you need it. Whether it’s a lift to the church or the local shop, reach out. The Senior Help Line is open every day from 10am until 10pm at 1850 440 444, and is a Lo-Call service, meaning that no call costs more than 30 cent.
Gazette
16 Gazette 9 January 2014
dublinlife
business
Margaret Ward of ClearInk, Dublin, with Paula Fitzsimons, director, Going for Growth, and Eithne Brenner, The Brenner Clinic, Waterford
women: entrepreneurs sought for 2014 programme
Grow your business with expert advice laura webb
AN IRISH programme helping ambitious women to develop their business is seeking female entrepreneurs for the new cycle of Going for Growth. The programme is calling on business women in Dublin to apply for the 2014 programme. Going for Growth is a business development initiative that matches e s t a b l i s h e d wo m e n entrepreneurs and experienced senior executives, who have had success in growing a small company, with female owner-managers of existing firms who are determined to strengthen and grow their businesses. The “lead entrepreneurs” act as role models for selected participants,
sharing their knowledge and experience on a voluntary basis. This will be the sixth Going for Growth programme since it was first piloted in 2008. The scheme has helped more than 300 women from all across the country, and engages with a diverse range of businesses. Paula Fitzsimons, national director and founder of Going for Growth, said: “Ireland needs all the entrepreneurial talent available to it, and Irish women have a major role to play in delivering the economic benefits and job creation opportunities that successful entrepreneurship can bring. “Going for Growth is designed to support women to fully exploit
their entrepreneurial talent and to achieve growth in sales, employment and profitability. “The fifth cycle of Going for Growth saw two of every three participants grow their turnover by an average of 17%, as well as 750 jobs being sustained, 50 new jobs created, and six of the participants exporting for the first time. “I believe that, in 2014, we can exceed these positive results. We’re encouraging women entrepreneurs in Dublin to apply for the 2014 programme and to become part of this success,” she said. Previous participants from the Dublin region have included Anne Heraty from CPL Resources PLC (lead entrepreneur), Ann McGee from McGee
Pharma International, Bevin Mahon from Dentaltech Ltd, Breda Brown from Unique Media and Carol Walsh form The Green Gecko Ltd. CPL’s Anne Heraty, an ambassador for the initiative, said: “Going for Growth is an excellent initiative that gives real value to those who participate in it. “It works best when the participants are open with each other and a circle of trust develops around the table. “I have seen definite progress among the participants in my group in clarifying and taking steps to achieve their growth goals. “I have been delighted to share my experiences with the other women entrepreneurs as I have also developed new
insights from the focused discussions,” she said. Carol Walsh, another ambassador for the initiative, said: “After more than 20 years in business my business was making a small profit, and I felt I had reached a plateau; however, I found it difficult to take the next step upwards. “Since commencing Going for Growth, not only have I met helpful and inspirational women directors, I have also learned new skills and put a business plan in place.” There are 60 fullyfunded places available in the new programme. For further information, or to register, see www. goingforgrowth.com. The closing date for receipt of completed applications is January 24.
9 January 2014 Gazette 17
asdfsdaf P27 arts P25
MOTORS P24
OUT&ABOUT Never be out of the loop on what’s happening in Dublin! Let Out&About be your guide to all that is stylish, cultural and essential across the city and beyond this week
cinema: 13th annual jameson filmfest to showcase top productions
PETS
A film festival that is worth poring over ian begley
THE Jameson Dublin International Film Festival is set to mark its 13th year in the capital, showcasing more than 140 films from the four corners of the globe from February 13–23. The majority of films shown at the film festival are Irish premieres, and for some of the films shown, the festival represents the only public screening that will take place in Ireland. This year’s much anticipated gala event will see John Michael’s Calvary, staring Brendan Gleeson, start the festival in The Savoy cinema on February 13, which will be followed by a reception. In the film, Gleeson plays the role of Father James – a priest who has a week to put his affairs in order after being told that there is a “hit” due on him
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‘On the opening night there’s always a real sense of celebration. Usually, everyone who comes along lets their hair down.’
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Grainne Humphreys, Jameson Dublin International Film Festival’s director
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during a confession. Grainne Humphreys, the festival’s director, said there is a huge buildup to the festival this year, and she is excited to see Calvary make its official debut there. Speaking to The
Gazette, she said: “It’s a really smart and elegant film, in the fact that there’s so many great Irish actors and really powerful scenes [in it]. There is so much humour and black humour in it, too. “On the opening night there’s always a real sense of celebration. Usually, everyone who comes along lets their hair down. There’s always a great sense of fun and energy.” Humphreys said that the thing she always finds great about the film festival is that “it’s 10 days of continuous celebration, because everyone is so excited to show their film off. “We got pretty much 140 films confirmed, and we’re now trying to coordinate their owners, directors and actors, and trying to put them in individual slots across the 10 days of the festival,” she said.
Gazette
education P18
you’ll have mush love for this husky cross
Grainne Humphreys, Jameson Dublin International Film Festival’s director, singled out Brendan Gleeson’s new film, Cavalry, as a personal favourite, with the film launching the festival’s gala opening on February 13
Since its launch in 2003, the Jameson Film Festival has offered those who attend a unique f o r u m o f e xc h a n g e between the public and the filmmaking community through hosting a whole range of events that allow interaction in the form of public interviews, panel discussions and Q&A sessions. The Jameson Film Fes-
tival is a city-wide event that showcases films in all of the Dublin city centre cinemas, including Cineworld, The Savoy, Screen, Irish Film Institute and the Lighthouse cinema in Smithfield. Since the festival’s inauguration, a large array of internationallyrenowned film stars have joined in with the celebration, including Dan-
iel Day Lewis, Gabriel Byrne, Jim Sheridan, Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Charlize Theron, Colin Firth and Liam Neeson – all of whom have graced the festival’s red carpet. For the latest information on this year’s Jameson Dublin International Film Festival, and to purchase tickets, see www. jdiff.com.
The Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week is Shanell, a gorgeous elderly husky/malamute cross. This seven-year-old female malamute cross is a beautiful, older and much wiser dog looking for a peaceful home where she can enjoy her own space and time. Shanell arrived to us quite recently with some manageable medical issues, including poor eyesight. This gorgeous animal deserves the very best love and attention in her new home, and would suit children aged 14+. If you think you can offer Shanell a home, please contact Dogs Trust at 01 879 1000. We 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 at www.facebook.com/ dogstrustireland or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE
18 Gazette 9 January 2014
Collegeoptions
Exploring third-level education
| senior college dun laoghaire |
Exciting changes in store for students SENIOR College Dun Laoghaire will become Blackrock Further Education Institute when it moves to its new state-ofthe-art premises in June. It’s a new year and a new start for students at Senior College Dun Laoghaire, who will commence their study in September as students of Blackrock Further Education Institute. They will benefit from learning in one of the finest further education institutes in Ireland. This vibrant and mod-
ern building will offer state-of-the-art facilities, which include computer laboratories, design studios, beauty/media makeup salons, an ICT (information communications technology) learning centre and a library. These new facilities will benefit school leavers, and adults returning to education in the locality and from the greater Dublin area. A student canteen and a dedicated social area will also greatly enhance students’ college experience.
The institute will be offering a variety of Level 5 and 6 courses in business, applied psychology, emergency and health care, interior and landscape/ garden design, computer science, creative multimedia with app development, computer maintenance and technical support, CISCO networking, beauty therapy, theatrical and media make-up and complementary therapies (including remedial and sports massage). Flexible entry is provided to school leavers who
want to gain professional qualifications or alternative pathways to degree courses outside the CAO points system. The college has progression arrangements with a number of colleges and universities. For example, Senior College Dun Laoghaire offers a highly-attractive two-year Higher National Diploma in business studies, which leads to the unique option of one further year’s study for an honours business degree. Second-chance oppor-
Graphic highlighting the impending change for Senior College Dun Laoghaire
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‘Flexible entry is provided to school leavers who want to gain professional qualifications’
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tunities are also offered to those without the Leaving Certificate and those looking to up-skill and
retrain for a new career and a fresh start. New courses planned for September include arts with business management (FETAC Level 6), and cloud computer technologies (FETAC Level 6). There are also a number of courses timetabled for mornings only to cater for parents and part-time workers. This year, the accounting technician, CISCO networking, graduate
diploma in creative multimedia, interior design and the jewellery design courses are timetabled for mornings only. An open day will be held in Dun Laoghaire on Wednesday, January 29 from 10am to 4pm, and prospective students are invited to come along, or to see www.scd.ie, to find out more about the courses on offer for September, as well as to learn about the new college in Blackrock.
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20 Gazette 9 January 2014
Collegeoptions
Exploring third-level education
| rathmines college |
An established, leading facility IF ONE of your New Year’s resolutions involves making 2014 the year to learn and up-skill, then make sure you take a look at the options available at Rathmines College. This centrally-located and long-established Dublin college effectively matches student skills with employer needs by offering a range of one-, two- and three-year study options. Courses on offer are in the key skills areas of business, journalism, media, marketing, accounting, access to arts and many
more. Rathmines College provides cer tificate, advanced certificate, diploma and professional courses, awarded by the relevant educational bodies (FETAC and BTEC), and professional bodies (PRII, ACCA, and IATI). The college also offers a repeat Leaving Certificate programme, with high results leading to students achieving entry to thirdlevel education. The college is holding its annual open day on Thursday, January 30 from 2pm to 6pm. At the
open day, teaching staff and guidance counsellors will be available to inform and advise on a suitable path to study, including progression links between Rathmines College and a range of university degree programmes. As a college of further education, Rathmines College courses are all State-funded, and so minimum charges apply. Rathmines College is a constituent college of the City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB). Ciara Courtney, of RTE
At Rathmines College, students are assured of a leading pathway to a wide range of courses catering for diverse educational and professional qualifications in a wide range of fields
Radio, who studied journalism and public relations at Rathmines College for three years, says she would “highly recommend” the college. She said: “I always
found my lecturers very approachable and extremely helpful. “The practical writing and radio skills I learned during my time in Rathmines helped me greatly
in securing my first job in journalism as a news reporter on Northern Sound Radio. “Today, I can be heard on Lyric fm and RTE 2fm as part of the AA Road-
watch team.” For further details on the open day, and a full list of courses, contact Rathmines College at 01 497 5334, or see www. rathminescollege.ie.
9 January 2014 Gazette 21
22 Gazette 9 January 2014
Collegeoptions
Exploring third-level education
DIT offers personal growth for all
| diverse faculties at iADT |
Pushing cultural boundaries for lasting success THE Institute of Art, Design & Technology (IADT), located in Dun Laoghaire, is the only Institute in Ireland with a specific mission to lead and inform the creative and cultural industries through teaching and research in the arts, design, and media, the application of digital technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation. IADT has two faculties,
with a total of 2,240 students between enterprise and humanities, and film, art and creative technologies, and is also host to the new National Film School building. The faculty of enterprise and humanities offers a range of innovative degrees in entrepreneurship, business in arts management and English, media and cultural studies. These innovative pro-
grammes in entrepreneurship and humanities provide graduates with transferable skills and a passport to a wide range of career options, including self-employment. Feedback from IADT graduates is positive and is proof that the institute’s programmes meet employer expectations and the requisite skill for the workplace, while simultaneously providing intellectual challenge
President Michael D Higgins joined IADT president Dr Annie Doona to examine students’ work at a recent visit to the campus
and rigour. The faculty of film, art and creative technologies offers a rich portfolio of inter-related programmes in a vibrant atmosphere of research, creativity, technology and production. The programmes push discipline boundaries
through creative collaboration and interaction. T he faculty offers degrees in media technology, multimedia systems and programming, creative music production, applied psychology, animation, photography, film and television production, visual communi-
cation design, visual arts practice, model making, design and digital effects, and design for stage and screen. IADT students say: “By the time we leave IADT we have a competency that can help us achieve our goals and get employment.”
WITH a highly-respected reputation both nationally and internationally, Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) is an exciting place to study. Students can choose from a wide range of unde r g r a dua t e pr o grammes that are careerfocused and equip learners with the knowledge and abilities they need for the real world. As well as having an academic focus, DIT is a place where students will make new connections, get involved in different societies, sports and activities, and develop as a person. While DIT is one of the largest third-level institutes in Ireland, students work in small teams and quickly get to know one another and members of the academic and support staff. In 2014, DIT is beginning its move to its new city-centre campus at Grangegorman. In September, more than 1,200 students from art, design, printing, photography and social sciences will be on campus and setting out to make history. Grangegorman will continue to grow with staff and students joining the new campus in phases over the next four years. DIT has two new programmes for CAO 2014, offering a BSc in computer science (international), and languages and international tourism (Chinese). For more on DIT, see www.dit.ie or find the college on Facebook and Twitter. The admissions team can be contacted at 01 402 3445, or by emailing admissions@dit.ie.
9 January 2014 Gazette 23
24 GAZETTE 9 January 2014
GAZETTE
&ABOUT OUT road
MOTORS
NOISE
New Grand C4 is ready to test drive GAZETTE motoring recently featured a review of Citroen’s impressive new Grand C4 Picasso. The good news is that it is now available to test drive in Citroen dealerships across the capital. Drivers interested in booking a 24-hour test drive of this seven-seater modern family car should visit www.citroenoffers.ie/24 or ask about the test drive at a local Citroen dealer. The car, starting from €299 per month with Citroen’s Elect 3 PCP finance, comes with three years’ free servicing for all models registered by January 31, 2014. For details log onto www. citroen.ie
Citroen’s impressive new Grand C4 Picasso
For €32,195 this is a car that will last and last and provide an extremely low cost of ownership
SKODA: A HUGE AMOUNT OF SPACE FOR A VERY COMPETITIVE PRICE
Taking practicality to an even higher level CORMAC CURTIS
SCHIFFER IS GERMAN FACE OF OPEL IN EUROPE: WHAT have the Germans done for us, eh? Well, for starters they gave the world Claudia Schiffer – and she has been revealed as the German face of Opel in Europe, and she is taking centre stage in Opel’s new campaign “It’s a German”. In small, fine and very emotional stories, Claudia charmingly illustrates Opel’s Made in Germany concept. The uniqueness of Opel’s models, imbued with the German art of engineering and with clever door concepts such as that demonstrated by the Meriva, and well-honed, allwheel drive technology as presented in the Mokka, is a significant theme of the TV adver-
tising. Claudia is full of enthusiasm for her first working days as Opel brand ambassador: “We filmed the first commercial in midDecember. The new Opel models stand for great German engineering as well as innovation and practicality. “The Meriva with its rear-hinged rear doors is unique and a first for Opel. It is fantastic for families like mine.”
LAST year Skoda were kind enough to give one of their most reliable and popular cars in Ireland – the Octavia - the modern makeover it so thoroughly deserved. Having gained a welldeserved reputation as one of the most reliable cars on the road, even the Octavia’s most diehard fans would have agreed that the model was beginning to look a little stale. So, it got a serious cosmetic face-lift inside and out, with some enhanced new features thrown in for good measure. T h i s y e a r S ko d a are maintaining their momentum in two dramatic ways. Firstly, the Octavia is now available as an estate or “Combi” derivative, offering drivers an impressive 610 litres of boot space and contin-
uing the successful tradition of the previous two generations, which made customers realise that even a small family car can be better at handling the loads they need to transport than most cars belonging to the class above or even some larger SUVs. Secondly, Skoda are offering the car in a 4x4 option with a 2.0-litre TDi engine generating 150bhp. Not only that, but this is a far better-looking car than the saloon model. It’s like breaking the first commandment of car design “Thou shalt not be prettier than your executive saloon stable mate”. But just as they did with the Superb Combi, Skoda have given the Octavia a stretched-out, muscular design that oozes presence. In short, Skoda are owning the estate mar-
ket right now. From a technical point of view, the third-generation Octavia Combi is based on the Octavia liftback, as a result these cars share most of the same technical solutions and equipment. The differences are limited to the rear section and the luggage compartment. But all this practicality and usability shouldn’t overshadow the fact that the Octavia, in all its guises, offers so much car for the money. I am a big fan of Skoda, and what this car offers is pretty much the ideal car in my humble opinion. It just feels so good to sit in and drive. Are there faster cars? Yes. Are there betterlooking cars? Of course. Are there cheaper cars? Naturally. But the Octavia Combi 4X4 is an incredibly well-built, extremely
comfortable, balanced, quick and attractive car with plenty of standard equipment including their Bolero sound system with bluetooth, ve r y h a n d s o m e 17 ” alloy wheels, cr uise control, seven airbags, Climatronic air conditioning with electronic regulation and rear parking sensors. Not only that – but for anyone with a few kids, it carries ever ything you need for holidays; for anyone who needs to carry loads, with the rear seats folded down you can move serious amounts of cargo; and considering how healthy everyone is getting these day, the roof bars are ready to carry bikes, kayaks, sailboards or any other kind of outdoor gear you need to bring along. Without wanting to list out yards of standard features in the car, I
think some of the standout bits and pieces are worth a mention. For a car like this, that is more than likely going to do some longer journeys, the included front armrest with its “jumbo box” for storage is a useful one – it would really annoy me to pay extra for that! The four-spoke multifunction leather steering wheel for radio and phone control makes so much sense and is clearly as important for safety as it is for convenience – and it doesn’t half feel good. For €32,195 this is a car that will last and last and provide an extremely low cost of ownership. Mark my words, you’ll find it lurking in the background of every “selfie” taken at the family picnic or weekend trip to the beach for catching some waves with the lads.
9 January 2014 gazette 25
book review: scumbags and handbags, by sinead hamill
A generally feel-good lark, despite its flaws Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
SELF-published author Sinead Hamill’s first novel, Scumbags and Handbags, has been deemed a cross between Love/Hate and Celebrity Bainisteoir, but is much more reminiscent of early work by Roddy Doyle. The novel traces the journey of a group of women who get involved in a new EU initiative to encourage unlikely people to engage in sports. The local Dublin GAA club, desirous of the EU funding, comes up with the idea of creating a Gaelic for Mothers team, which draws all manner of outsized, unfit and generally gone to seed middle-aged women. Needless to say, hilarious high-jinks ensue. The plot is pacy and enjoyable, and Hamill has a special talent for painting with raw colours the innuendo-fuelled bawdy interaction of bored housewives, which is entertaining and funny ... up to a point. Her style is very conversational, and this sweeps the plot along very swiftly and naturally. However, as the story develops, the author inserts more and more vulgarity and ridiculous situations into the plot, which become forced and undermines the integrity of the tale. But, for a first novel,
Gazette
ARTS
Theatre THE pavilioN THEATRE 01 231 2929 Le Weekend
CONTINUING with the Pavilion’s popular cinema showings, Le Weekend is sure to go down a treat with Francophiles. In this comedy-drama, Jim Broadbent and Lindsay Duncan play a couple with a fading marriage who head to Paris for a long weekend. An old friend (Jeff Goldblum) could decide their fate ... Le Weekend is on January 13 at 8pm, with tickets priced €7.50/€6.50.
mill theatre 01 296 9340
Spectacular presents Cinderella! THE performing arts group have come up with a toetapping show to delight audiences, as its young but highly-skilled dancers have prepared a lively version of Cinderella. Their diverse range of skills will be to the fore in the show, which runs at 8pm from December 9 to 12. Admission priced €15 adults; €10 children.
CIVIC THEATRE 01 462 7477 The Bee Gees Story
Self-published author Sinead Hamill and her debut book, Scumbags and Handbags
Scumbags and Handbags is a very encouraging start and Hamill will certainly have her fans in the future. She is particularly adept at realism, which she unfortunately sacrifices for cheap laughs at times. Her strongest character, Robbie King, is a young man who has found himself in an impossible situation as he gets deeper and deeper into an underworld of which he wants no part. Robbie’s helplessness is depicted very realistically by Hamill, and the reader feels a great sense of familiarity with the
character, who could be any young lad in over his head. The character’s helplessness and need for secrecy, even towards his girlfriend – all par for the course for a character in such a terrible position – are finely drawn by Hamill. Robbie has been sucked into a predator’s web and cannot extricate himself without either being killed himself, or endangering the lives of those he loves. His persecutor, Hawk, presents us with a fascinating glimpse into a Dublin underworld figure
who is not all bad – until he needs to be. We see Robbie interacting with Hawk in a very friendly way, joking and messing about with him one minute, and being in fear of him the next.
Unnerving The unpredictability and unnerving charm of Hawk’s character disturbs the reader, who is likely to be conflicted and saddened that Hawk has allowed his darker propensities to hold sway. In general, the female characters are not as well-rounded, and are either too jubilant or too
depressed. Overall, the book is a feel-good lark, and will engage the reader right up until the end. Yet, there is a lot more to this writer than mere zany antics and bawdy humour. Hamill’s undeveloped talent is based very securely in realism, and as the story is told, the reader effortlessly slips into a film version of it in his/her mind’s eye. As for the author, Hamill is a first-time author and mother living in Stillorgan. While starting to write the book in 2012, she discovered she had a leak in one of her heart
valves, and had to have a procedure called “cardio version” to shock her heart back into a normal rhythm. She then had two strokes while driving her daughters to school but, luckily, suffered no long-term damage. Her ill health determined her to finish her novel. Scumbags and Handbags is available in paperback with a RRP of €10.60 at Dubray Books, Stillorgan Shopping Centre, the Village Cafe in Glenalbyn GAA Club in Stillorgan, and is also available from Amazon. com.
FOR one night only, come along and celebrate four decades of hits by The Bee Gees, as Jive Talkin’ present a great showcase of the top hits of the international band. From disco classics to acoustic numbers, hits for the Bee Gees and the artists they wrote for, it promises to be a superb show at 8pm on January 11, with tickets €20/€17 conc.
draiocht 01 885 2622
Cinderella The Panto FOR those looking for the last bit of festive cheer – until next December, of course – Coolmine Panto Group’s Cinderella will delight kids of all ages, as it heads towards the latter part of its run. With Ugly Sisters to boo, a Prince Charming to cheer, and Cinders’s story to follow, a great panto awaits, priced €20/€16 conc. For the full details of show times and dates, see www.draiocht.ie.
26 GAZETTE 9 January 2014
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9 January 2014 Gazette 27
dubs stars P29
asdfsdaf gaelic games P27 P31
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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powerlifting P28
DublinGazetteNewspapers 2013 dublin sports awards december winners
H STARof the MONTH
alan brogan
Ireland’s senior cricketers will hope to continue their successful run of form after the T20 world cup in March
cricket: clontarf to host visit of top international side
AFTER a year of disappointment due to his absence through injury from the Dublin senior side who claimed the All-Ireland title, Brogan got his hands on silverware when he starred for St Oliver Plunkett’s in the Senior B championship final.
Sri Lanka to test the mettle of TEAMof the MONTH Ireland’s boys in green in May H IRELAND’S massive success throughout 2013 has been rewarded with a significant test of their progress when it was announced that they will play two one-day international matches against one of the world’s best sides, Sri Lanka, at Clontarf on May 6 and 8. The cricketers, who ended the year on a high when they won the Intercontinental Cup against Afghanistan in Dubai, will use these matches as preparation for their participation in the 2015 World Cup
Ireland coach Phil Simmons said: “Ireland need as many matches as possible against full member sides. It’s how we measure ourselves now in terms of our cricketing progress. “2013 couldn’t have gone much better in terms of the fact that we won three trophies and continued our domination against our fellow associates,” said Simmons, who conicidentally recently flew to Sri Lanka with the Ireland A team for a two-week tour. “[The one-day internationals
are] a fantastic opportunity for our squad to face players of the calibre of Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Matthews, Tillakaratne Dilshan and of course Lasith Malinga. They’re going to be tough opposition but Irish conditions in May will be to our advantage.” It will be only the second visit of a Sri Lankan side to Irish shores - the previous occasion was at Eglinton in 1979 when Ivan Anderson’s century helped Ireland secure a draw in the firstclass match.
In more recent times, Ireland lost their only ODI encounter by eight wickets in the 2007 World Cup, a game which marked the end of Adi Birrell’s tenure as Ireland coach. The teams met again in a thrilling game at Lord’s during the 2009 ICC World Twenty20, when Ireland lost by just nine runs to the eventual finalists. Ireland are in action later this month when they tour the West Indies before they take part in the ICC World Twenty20 in Bangladesh in March.
lucan sarsfields camogie LUCAN’S camogie section continued their stellar 2013 wihen they annexed the Leinster senior Division 1 title this month following an emphatic and stylish victory over Camross in Ballykelly, after wins over St Ibar’s and AllIreland intermediate champions Myshall.
Gazette
28 Gazette 9 January 2014
SPORT
FastSport ras na mban to grace screens this month on setanta: The An Post Ras na mBan will be the subject of a special highlights programme to be broadcast on Setanta Sports on January 14 at 6pm. The event, raced over five days in County Clare last September, was the biggest and most successful in the 28year history of international women’s bike racing in Ireland featuring riders from 13 countries representing teams from 10 different nations. Event organiser Valerie Considine said: “It is nice to pause and reflect on the success of last September’s edition [of the Ras]. It’s a lovely film which really captures the challenge and beauty of the event and the truly epic scenery it travels through.” The programme will be repeated by Setanta Sport on January 16, 18 and 19.
powerlifting: local duo lead way in sport with world success
Lifting your way to a new horizon sport@gazettegroup.com
With the new year just having arrived, people are looking for that miracle panacea to shed weight and get active. While no such magic wand exists to get us fit, two local women have led the way in bringing attention to a new sporting activity that has become increasingly popular in Ireland in recent years. Powerlifting has been the route to international
success for Arlette Bomahou and Linh Nguyen, and their successes at the powerlifting world championship in Glasgow in November last year has attracted a large number of women to join the national body for the sport, the Irish Drug Free Powerlifting Association, doubling their female membership in the process. The sport of powerlifting comprises three lifts: the back squat, bench
Arlette Bomahou and trainer Adrian Quinn
press and deadlift. Competitions may comprise one, two or all three of the lifting disciplines. A t h l e t e s a r e c a tegorized by sex, age and bodyweight. Each competitor is allowed three attempts at each lift, the best lift in each discipline being added to their total. The lifter with the highest total is the winner. In cases where two or more lifters achieve the same total, the person with the lightest bodyweight wins. For the past few years in Ireland an increasing number of women has been practising weight training and powerlifting. Arlette, whose mother is from Togo, competes in the 90kg+ category and won her first world title in the 90kg+ category in Glasgow. “I have been doing weight training for the past 10 years in order to
World champion and world record holder Linh Nguyen in powerlifting action
get into better shape and live a healthier life style. My personal trainer, Adrian Quinn, saw potential in me I was not aware of. He suggested that I should compete in powerlifting. In August, I turned 38 years old and I decided I needed to achieve something for myself before I turned 40. So I jumped in at the deep end by participating in my first competition in Cork in the Mardyke Stadium. Since then, I have fallen in love with this sport.” Nguyen, from Vietnam, has been living in Ireland for 12 years, competes in the under 55kg category. She represented Ireland in Glasgow and not only did she win the world
champion title, she also broke the world record in the squat in her weight category. She explained why she went into powerlifting and tells about the benefits she gained from it. ’’At the beginning, I was exercising with the purpose of losing weight. The more I got into working out, the more I felt better about myself. One thing led to another, and one of my friends told me to try out powerlifting. I then went to watch the single lift event back in January 2013 in Cork and it started from there.” Both women point to the positive benfits the sport has had on their lives, in terms of the fit-
ness aspects of weight training, leading to stronger, healthier and fitter lifestyles as much as the sense of confidence and empowerment. “Getting my first world champion title after competing for only three months is the biggest achievement in my life. “All those years of hard work in the gym have paid off. Each competition feels like a family reunion, I feel like I have made new friends,” said Arlette. You can follow Arlette on Twitter @ArletteBomahou, and for more information on the sport, log on to the association’s homepage at www.idfpa. net.
Monte Carlo marks start of rally year for Barrable sport@gazettegroup.com
Swords rally driving sensation Robert Barrable has made a late entry and will contest the opening round of the 2014 FIA World Rally Championship, the Rallye Monte Carlo in his Tunnock’s World Rally Team Ford Fiesta R5 next weekend. This will be the first time Barrable has contested one of rallying’s oldest and most prestigious events, although he assisted co-driver Stuart Loudon with course notes in the 2013 vintage of the race, which allowed Loudon to finish 44th out
of 113 drivers with Japanese driver Ryozo Saito. Barrable’s main rivals in the WRC-2 category are likely to be Yurii Protasov (Ukraine), Armin Kremer (Germany), Julien Maurin (France) and Lorenzo Bertelli (Italy) – all driving similar Ford Fiestas. Whilst all have vastly more Rallye Monte Carlo experience, Barrable aims to challenge for a podium place and start the 2014 season off with a strong pointsscoring finish. “When an opportunity came up to contest the Monte Carlo Rally, I wasn’t going to turn it down,” said
Barrable. “It’s an exciting event and my main aim is to go and enjoy the experience of contesting one of the sport’s most historic rallies. Without doubt, it’s going to be the biggest challenge of my career. “The sheer size of the rally makes me a little nervous, but I drove the stages last year, I’ve got a feel for the terrain and I know what Stuart and I will need to do to make good pace notes. “We’ve got high-hopes of scoring a good WRC-2 result, but most of all we hope the New Year brings us a little more luck and we’ll start 2014 with a good trouble-free run.”
Swords’ Robert Barrable and co-driver Stuart Loudon will take their experience from 2013 into the first race of the year in Monte Carlo
9 January 2014 Gazette 29
Gazette
Stars shine under lights at Tower’s
FastSport
The annual end-of-season match between the best in senior football and hurling was held this year at Monastery Road, and Waters makes move from proved a huge success, a fitting end to a great year for the club Wanderers to Rovers The annual Dubs Stars matches were held on New Year’s Eve at Round Tower’s under their impressive floodlights and the matches once again proved that Dublin hurling and football is in fine fettle ahead of their 2014 campaigns. The evening proved a memorable way to top off what has been a stellar year for the club. Well over 3,000 people from across Dublin turned out to watch the footballers and the hurlers in their last action of 2013 and kick-starting the 2014 season, once again with all eyes on the big prizes in inter-county competition. There was great feedback from Dublin suppor ters in terms of the arrangements and organisation of the day, with Alan Milton from the GAA as MC, and a strong line up for the four sides who lined out to represent the best in Dublin GAA. The Dubs Stars matches were an occa-
ROB heigh rheigh@gazettegroup.com
sion to top off what has already been a great year for Round Tower, with the opening of their new floodlit pitch as well as the All-Ireland victory of the Dubin senior footballers led by their very own Jim Gavin galvanising the spirit in the GAA community in Clondalkin and all over the city. Homegrow n players Gary Cleary and James Kelly also appeared on opposite sides in the football match up, while three Round Tower players played for the Dubs Stars in the form of Eoin Moran, Gary Quinlivan and Alex Darbey in the hurling showdown. The pitch and the crowds both held up well to the less-thanideal weather conditions, with the rain leaving the ground soft but the
The Dublin senior footballers at Monastery Road
enthusiasm unbound for the games to come. The hurling match was a very close and competitive encounter, with only two points between the sides at half-time, with Dublin just ahead. But it was a strong Dubs Stars team mentored by Sean McCaffrey from Lucan Sarsfields that transformed the outcome of the match with two goals midway through the second half. They were so good that Anthony Daly described them as the best Dubs Stars team he had seen since taking the manager’s chair with Dublin, and was grateful for the
The Dubs Stars hurlers who upset expectations to win their encounter
work-out the match had given his side at this time of year. The football match between Dublin and the Dubs Stars was quite a different affair, with the Dubs Stars being deprived of a number of their players by virtue of call-offs due to injury and other commitments, particularly some potentially game-changing players such as county players James McCarthy, Dean Rock, Kevin McManaman and Diarmud Connolly. The match was a formality in terms of the eventual outcome, particularly after Kilmacud Crokes’ Paul Mannion scored two goals in four minutes, and showed the Dublin team’s strength in depth, with an array of familiar names also not present to don the Sky Blue. Speaking to Gazette Sport after the matches, Round Tower’s chairman Tony Delaney was thrilled with the way that things had gone.
“It was a great event, with great attendance, in spite of it being a bitterly cold night. It was great to see families turn out to watch the matches. “The standard was excellent. The hurling was a particularly good game, very competitive and the Dubs Stars winning, which doesn’t happen very often. “It has been a hugely busy year for us. We opened the grounds in April with our celebration weekend that saw Dublin and Galway’s senior footballers play a challenge game. The success of the hurlers in Leinster and the footballers winning the All-Ireland, which saw Jim [Gavin] bring Sam [Magure trophy] and the team to the village the weekend after the win at Croker was a huge thing for us as well. But to close the year off so wonderfully with these matches was a great cap to 2013, and to start off the new year in style, has been marvellous for Round Tower’s.”
Shamrock Rovers started the new year with a new signing when midfielder,Kieran Marty Waters joined the club from Bray Wanderers. Waters had spent six years with the Bray club, coming through the youth programme to join the Premier division side. Speaking after completing talks with Rovers’ boss Trevor Croly, Waters said: “I am absolutely delighted to have signed for Shamrock Rovers; it’s the biggest club in the country. “There has been interest in me from the manager for a while now, but it had to be the right time for me to make this move and I feel that it is now. I’ve been a Shamrock Rovers fan since I was a child and so I am intent on working hard and giving my all for this club. “I would like to thank everyone at Bray Wanderers for all the support they have given me over the last six years. I really enjoyed my time at the club and wish them the best. I’d especially like to thank Pat Devlin for all his support. I’m just looking forward to getting going now and to kicking a football again,” said Waters.
Swim a mile challenge set for NAC in April Swim Ireland have announced that they will be holding the Dublin leg of its Swim for a Mile Challenge 2014 at the National Aquatic Centre on Friday, April 4. The project challenges members of the public to compete in a national event to swim for a mile. Swim Ireland will provide a free training programme at the NAC, including support, advice and motiva-
tion for all those wanting to take on the test. The challenge is being made possible through the CocaCola Thank You Fund and the Irish Sports Council’s Women in Sport Programme. Last month, Swim Ireland won the top award in Coca-Cola Thank You Fund of €25,000 which has helped to make the Swim for a Mile Challenge 2014 a reality. For more information about taking part in the Swim for a Mile Challenge, log on to www.swimforamile. com.
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30 CLONDALKIN Gazette 9 January 2014
SPORT
FastSport
soccer: united step up league campaign with victory
Ormond named BUI Boxer of the Year 2013 QUARRYVALE man Stephen Ormond was named as the Boxing Union of Ireland’s boxer of the year following his four wins from four outings in 2013, results that pushed him toward the world’s top 15. It stretched his record to 16 wins and one controversial loss in 2012 and puts the 30-year-old in decent shape to push on for world title bouts in 2014 having already annexed the WBO European lightweight title. That came when he stopped Adam Mate, a fighter who had not been stopped in 14 previous bouts, in the first round in London in September. He followed up with a unanimous decision against Adam Dingsdale at the Royal Lancaster Hotel to defend his title in a 10-rounder in October. And he capped the year in early December with a second title defence against the current Commonwealth champions Derry Matthews in Liverpool, a fight that was televised, giving him some great profile going into the New Year. It was the performance of his career to date, out-pointing Matthews. After a tentative opening couple of rounds, Ormond began to apply the pressure, switching attacks from body to head and swarming Matthews on the ropes with quick combinations. Ormond’s defence was much improved from his previous fight with Dingsdale and Matthews struggled to find any rhythm. By the seventh round, Ormond was in complete control and looked to be enjoying the battle as he flashed a smiled over to trainer Paschal Collins. Judges Mikael Hook and Dave Paris scored the bout 98-93, while Andre Van Grootenbruel had it 98-92, all in favour of Ormond. Collins picked up the top coach gong from the BUI having worked with Ormond at the Celtic Warriors gym where Gary O’Sullivan, Ian Tims, Steve Collins Junior and Luke Keeler are also in situ.
Bluebell’s Ger Bambrick (left) scored the decisive goal for his side when they defeated Crumlin United in the LSL Sunday Senior League
Bluebell go second in Sunday
sport@gazettegroup.com
BLU E BE L L Un i t e d moved up to second in the LSL Sunday Senior division with a strong 3-1 win over title rivals Crumlin United last Sunday at the Red Cow as they made use of their extra man to great effect. Crumlin had been reduced to 10 men for the majority of the tie due to Jamie Lee’s red card. Bluebell were already ahead at the time and duly went on to seal a result that puts them in good shape for a title assault over the coming months.
Alan Curry had given them an early lead when he got on the end of Gareth Cooney’s cross and Glen Madden duly made it 2-0 with a cracking goal before Lee’s dismissal. James Duffy did get one back for the reigning league champions but Ger Bambrick made the game safe for Bluebell with 10 minutes to go. The win lifted them above Crumlin in the table as well as above Phoenix to make it five wins on the spin in the league going into a date with mid-table Wayside Celtic next Monday
league lift for clon Clondalkin’s seconds keep up chase for top clondalkin’s second team, pictured here after their recent Lalor Cup success closed the gap on the leading two sides in Leinster rugby’s Seconds League Division 1A thanks to a 24-14 win in Enniscorthy last weekend. With Coolmine losing to lowly Tullow, it means Clon are now just two points off second place and can potentially go top if they beat leaders Dundalk next Saturday in Gordon Park.
evening in Kilternan. They were comfortable for much of the Crumlin tie, starting their first game of 2014 with real purpose as former Crumlin man Bambrick made a nuisance of himself. After a series of early chances, Bluebell went 1-0 up when Cooney was found wide on the left and he picked a delightful arc to his ball in to find Curry tearing into the danger area to head home. The second goal was a thing of beauty as Peter Darcy’s touch set Madden off and with a couple of superb flicks he got into a shooting stride and
swerved the ball into the goal. Lee then departed but Crumlin rallied well in the second half with Duffy getting on the end of Daniel McGuinness’s cross. They subsequently created a couple of other strong chances but, after this flurry of activity, Bluebell got back in control of the game and were home and hosed when Bambrick broke in from the flanks and struck home a powerful effort. In Sunday Senior One, Glenville ended a run of four games without a win by getting the better of Verona 2-1 last Saturday,
giving them a bit more breathing room. It means they now have a seven-point gap to the sides in the relegation zone as they sit in eighth place. Next on the agenda is a date with high-flying Greystones on Sunday morning at 11am. St Francis return to action on Sunday for the first time in 2014 with a home date against Edenderry; Dublin Bus host Killester United at Cold Cut while Peamount/Moyle Park are playing on Friday night against Drumcondra, all in Sunday Senior One.
9 January 2014 CLONDALKIN Gazette 31
Gazette
football: senior footballers squeeze past lake
Club Noticeboard round tower clondalkin The executive committee would like to thank everyone involved in the New Year’s Eve 2013 Dubs Stars matches.
club website or in the clubrooms. Lotto resumes on January 6, jackpot €7,600.
To all the volunteers who assisted,
The GAA is inviting responses to
the event could not have gone ahead
a survey as part of the process of
without your massive efforts.
formulating their strategy for 2014-
We would also like to thank the sponsors, the players and manage-
2017. The survey can be accessed at: www.gaa.ie/gaafuture.
ment from the four panels and all
Everyone who completes the sur-
the spectators who came along and
vey will be entered into a draw to win
made the evening so special. Some
two tickets to an All-Ireland final of
fantastic images from the event can
their choice in 2014.
be viewed via the website and Flickr
The club shop is open in the club every Monday night from 7.30 to
page. Membership subscriptions are
8.30pm. Please call Betty Ward or
now due and can be paid via our web-
Catherine Moran direct if you have
site www.roundtower.ie using debit
any particular inquiries on 087 675
St Brigid’s Eric Lowndes breaks a tackle against Westmeath as Dublin pipped their hosts in the O’Byrne Cup
(ie Laser) or credit cards. Cash and
2238 or 086 830 3207 respectively.
Dublin pip Westmeath in O’Byrne Cup opener
cheques are still accepted behind the
The clubrooms are available for
bar or to any member of the execu-
rental for parties, anniversaries,
tive committee.
etc. Please contact Jimmy behind
o’byrne cup group d
will be a successful one!
Westmeath 0-11 Dublin 0-12 sport@gazettegroup.com
DUBLIN edged their way to their first win of 2014, squeaking home by a point with an experimental side lining out against Westmeath in Mullingar last Sunday. For much of the closing phases, it looked possible that the Lake County were going to overhaul Jim Gavin’s side but their winning habit of 2013 saw them nudge over the line.
Westmeath led three times in the closing quarter but Ciaran Kilkenny – one of just two players along with Stephen Clu xton to have lined out in the All-Ireland final – fired a late point to salvage the day. That pair were joined in the starting line-up by 2011 All-Ireland starters Mick Fitzsimons and Kevin Nolan but, otherwise, there were plenty of new faces on display and looking to make an early impression as Gavin assesses
Action from the match in Mullingar. Pictures: Fergus McNally
his options. Darren Daly impressed throughout as a late call-up, replacing Bryan Cullen who was initially named in the starting side, in what was a tight tussle for the duration. The hosts grabbed the first two scores of the game before Dublin broke their duck in the eighth minute with Kilkenny scoring the other of his tally of 0-2 that bookended the tie. Westmeath held sway for much of the half with David Duffy putting in a strong stint in the centre exchanges but his side were not able to make that advantage tell on the scoreboard. Indeed, Paul Hudson put the Dubs up from a free 0-6 to 0-5 at the interval as they made the most of their chances. It was his third point of the half, adding to a couple from Jason Whelan. It had been level three times in the first and the second period proved equally close. An Eoin Fanning point put two
in the difference for the first time and Conor Walsh followed up for an 0-8 to 0-5 lead. B u t We s t m e a t h bounced back with four unanswered scores to lead in the 51st minute. They edged ahead two further times but Harry Dawson and then Eric Lowndes equalised to make it 0-11 each with seven minutes left. Kilkenny duly popped up with the winning score in the 67th minute to round off the win. Next on the agenda is a date with Louth in Parnell Park before they face DCU next Sunday at the same venue. The students saw off Louth 1-15 to 0-9 in Sunday’s other game. Dublin: S Cluxton; D Nelson, S George, M Fitzsimmons; E Lowndes(0-1), D Daly, K Nolan; D O’Mahony, S Carthy; C Walsh (0-1), H Dawson(0-1), J Whelan(0-2); P Hudson(0-4, 3f), C Kilkenny (0-2) P Ryan. Subs: E Fanning (0-1) for Ryan; J Cooper for George; C Guckian for Nolan; C Mullins for O’Mahony.
Renewal forms available on the
the bar or on 01 459 2960.
lucan sarsfields Happy New Year to all our players,
Cup final in the Iveagh Grounds over
members, supporters, sponsors and
the Christmas period, well done to all
friends. We hope your 2014 season
involved. Good luck to Aisling O’Grady on
Many thanks to everyone who sup-
concertina, Cathal Dooley on bod-
ported our Christmas draw, it was a
hran, Cian Gaire on guitar, Diarmuid
huge success and anyone who has
Reynolds on fiddle and Eoghain Rey-
not yet collected their prize can do so
nolds on banjo representing Dublin in
from the bar any evening after 7pm.
Instrumental Music at the Leinster
Adult awards night: The 2013 adult awards presentation night is on Sat-
final of Scor na nOg on Saturday, January 18 in Erin’s Isle GAA club.
urday, January 25, in the clubhouse.
Our Lucan Sarsfields’ Last Man
Team managers are asked to retrieve
Standing competition kicks off on
the perpetual Player of the Year tro-
February 1. Entry envelopes are avail-
phies from last year’s winners and
able at the bar and Mick Roche can be
return them to the club bar.
contacted for further details.
Congratulations to Emma Flanagan and Orla Beagan on receiving Dub Star awards. They played against the Dublin Senior panel which includes
Set dancing classes will resume on Wednesday, January 15 at 8.30pm Our nurseries will return on Saturday, January 11.
four Lucan girls, Ali Twomey, Kate
There was no winner of Sunday
Whyte, Mairi Moynihan and Claire
night’s €2,500 Lotto. The unlucky
Rigney.
numbers were 16, 17, 19 and 27. This
A superb display of open and run-
week’s lotto is for a jackpot of €3,000
ning football by our U-10 football-
and Newcastle Golf Centre will be our
ers left them disappointed with the
sponsor, with Josephine Donoghue’s
runners-up spot in the Humphrey
team in charge.
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or email sport@gazettegroup.com