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Monaghan charms with a relaxing getaway at Castle Leslie Estate ...

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Dundrum •Churchtown Churchtown••Nutgrove Nutgrove••Rathfarnham Rathfarnham••Ballinteer Ballinteer••Sandyford Sandyford • Leopardstown • Stillorgan Stillorgan PLUS:

INSIDE: Gandalf’s back in the thick of it in the epic conclusion to the Hobbit trilogy Page 22

moving on: Joan Freeman bringing her Pieta House initiative to New York P2

Congrats: De La Salle Bridge Club winners named Hurling:

Hiney calls time on inter-county career Page 32

The De La Salle Bridge Club has announced the winners of their The Graham Trophy Team of Four competition. Nuala Corrigan, Ftatia McLoughlin, Maureen Taylor, and club president Teresa Walker scooped the elegant award thanks to their many years’ experience playing bridge; particularly Maureen, who has been in this club for 30 years. The card game is an enduring hit with the local players, with the club boasting 156 members.

Picture: Geraldine Woods

Rugby:

Old Wesley stay top in AIL after Cashel win Page 30

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New park and public space for Sandyford Council reveals plans for community site by St Benildus Sports Grounds

 Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

A NEW park and public space for locals in the Sandyford area are in the preliminary planning stages, it was revealed by

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council at a recent Dundrum Area Committee meeting.

The park will be part of the Public Open Space plan and will be on some coun-

cil-owned land beside St Benildus Sports Grounds, as well as on the sports grounds themselves, owned

by De La Salle Brothers.

St Benildus Park will incorporate Naomh Olaf

GAA pitches and feature a playground, outdoor gym equipment and pathways.

Work is proposed to start on these improvements in late 2015.

Full Story on Page 2

2 DUNDRUM Gazette 11 December 2014

council Plans for public space by St Benildus grounds

Sandyford to get a new park PLANS for a new park and public space are afoot for Sandyford. A report outlining new plans to create both next year as par t of the Public Open Space plan for Sandyford was revealed by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council at a recent Area Committee meeting for Dundrum.

The report was compiled to update local representatives on how the council’s plans to provide adequate open space were progressing in order to meet the needs of residents,

 Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@dublingazette.com

workers and visitors to the Sandyford Business District.

The open space provision, part of the Sandyford Urban Framework Plan, was adopted in September 2011 and involves some councilow n e d l a n d b e s i d e St Benildus Sports Grounds and the sports grounds themselves,

owned by De La Salle Brothers.

Together, this tract of land is to comprise St Benildus Park for public use. One third of the total land space of St Benildus Park is owned by the council, while the rest of the land, St Benildus Sports Grounds, comprises a clubhouse for Naomh Olaf GA A Club and football pitches.

The report outlines that: “It is proposed to phase the delivery of the park.The first phase will be the development of the council-owned

land and will involve the reconfiguration of the existing two GAA pitches, one senior and one junior, in order to accommodate a pedestrian path around the perimeter of the park ... for walkers and runners with access from the existing pedestrian gate on Drumartin Link Road and a new access at Blackthorn Drive.

“A playground is proposed in the linear area between the pitches and Blackthorn Drive.”

The report also contains proposals for outdoor gym equipment to be installed along the pathway throughout the open space and will also have park furniture, ground modelling and tree planting.

It is proposed to start the improvement work in late 2015 following consultation with councillors.

Concurrent to developing these proposals, the council will also

Cllr Neale Richmond said: “There is huge potential for a good, working park in this area and it is desperately needed”

negotiate with the De La Salle Order to either acquire St Benildus Sports Grounds by purchasing the land or by leasing it from the order on a long-term lease basis.

In the event that these negotiations are successful, phase two of the Open Space plan – the development of Blackthorn Park – will commence.

T h i s w i l l i nvo l ve reconfiguring the layout of pitches, extending a circuitous pathway, landscaping and installing park furniture.

Richard Shakespeare, the council’s director of services, said: “It is an

objective of the council to create a clear hierarchy of open spaces that addresses the needs of the different users and to do this in a manner that reinforces the [Sandyford Urban Framework] plan for the area.

“It is an objective of the council that no additional residential accommodation will be permitted until either the land at St Benildus or the Civic Park have been procured or made available for public use.”

Cllr Neale Richmond (FG) said: “This is very welcome news and will hopefully bring clarity

for the future, especially for members of Naomh Olaf.

“There is huge potential for a good, working park in this area and it is desperately needed as we see huge growth in Sandyford both in terms of residential and commercial development.

“It is key that the needs of Naomh Olaf are accommodated with the reconfiguration of the pitches, and I look forward to the council working closely with the members of the club, who are mainly local residents themselves, in order to delivering a mutually positive park.”

€307k funds for 27 DLR schools  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

A TOTAL of 27 primary schools in the Dundrum area are to receive an injection of funding totalling €306,453, it was announced by the Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan this week.

The funds have been e a r m a r ke d f o r t h e improvement of physical infrastructure and for investment in IT equip-

ment and furniture.

Some 67 primar y schools in the whole of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown are to receive almost €750,000 under the Minor Works Grant allocations.

Schools in Dundrum, Stillorgan, Kilmacud, Mount Merrion and elsewhere in the county set to benefit from funding of at least €5,500 each, including Taney Nation-

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al School, St Brigid’s National Schools in Cabinteely, St Raphaela’s Primary School, Stillorgan, Islamic National School in Clonskeagh and many more.

The money includes €10,254 for St Mary’s National School, and some €12,548 for Gaelscoil Thaobh Na Coille.

Cllr Peter O’Brien (Lab) welcomed the funding, saying: “I’m delighted Minister O’Sullivan has found the necessary funding for these much valued grants. The grants will go towards vital improvements to school buildings, grounds, and mechanical and electrical services.

The money will also assist in buying standard furniture, and equipment for IT and physical education.

“It is to her credit that she has recognised the real and pressing needs among school communities and management bodies for such funding.”

Bernadette Brennan, principal of the Islamic/ Muslim National School, said the Department [of Education] had on two occasions tried to discontinue this Minor Works Grant. She said: “We welcome its reinstatement. It is very necessary, otherwise, the school would fall into disrepair and the cost to fix would be higher.”

11 December 2014 DUNDRUM Gazette 3

schools

charity: fundraising evening of song and dance at balally church

Poetry win for Wesley

Christmas concert for Parkinson’s  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

À SPECIAL Christmas charity concert in aid of Parkinson’s sufferers will be taking place in Balally Parish Church on Sunday, December 14.

The Carols by Candlelight Christmas Concert will feature internationally celebrated Voices of Hope choirs from Dublin and elsewhere, with special guests including Parkinson’s sufferer, broadcaster Shay Healy; the A Glor Gospel Choir, and the Move4Parkinson’s set-dancers.

Move4Parkinson’s is a group comprising people with Parkinson’s, their families and friends.

Admission is free, and any donations given will

be used to fund the charity’s ongoing work to educate and inspire people with Parkinson’s all across Ireland.

The festive event is open to all, with doors opening from 4.20pm, and the concert commencing at 5pm at Balally Parish Church, Cedar Road, Balally.

Mags Mullarney, founder and chief executive of Move4Parkinson’s, said: “2014 has been another busy year for Move4Parkinson’s. We continued to work with people with Parkinson’s and their families from all across Ireland to empower and encourage healthy living.

“A firm annual favourite, our Christmas concert gives us the opportu-

nity to join with members and families in reflecting on the year and looking ahead to 2015. I would encourage anyone interested to join us to celebrate in this unique and intimate celebration of song.”

Move4Parkinson’s is an Irish charity dedicated to providing information and support to people with Parkinson’s on how to improve their quality of life.

The charity also acts as an advocate and speaks out for people with Parkinson’s to Government, healthcare and other stakeholders.

For further information or to contact the charity, see www.move4parkinsons.com.

Store we go: Model Alison Canavan launches DFS’s Carrickmines branch model Alison Canavan and her four-year-old son James officially opened the new DFS store at Carrickmines Retail Park last weekend.

This is the third Irish store for the sofa specialists, who boast a large selections of sofas and chairs, with the company famous for making stylish and comfortable sofas for more than 45 years. Picture: Keith Arkins

A STUDENT from Wesley College in Ballinteer is the runner-up in this year’s senior category of the Poetry Aloud Awards.

Conor Potts received his award at the eighth annual Poetry Aloud competition organised by the National Library of Ireland and Poetry Ireland in the National Library on December 5.

The competition is an annual poetry-speaking contest for post-primary school students across the island of Ireland, which was launched in 2006, and attracted more than 1,700 entries this year.

The 2014 judging panel included poet Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill; Fiach Mac Conghail, director of the Abbey Theatre and Maureen Kennelly, director, Poetry Ireland.

4 DUNDRUM Gazette 11 December 2014

council Preventative measures being examined by Little Dargle River site

Nutgrove Avenue flooding sparks investigation  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

AN EXAMINATION into preventative flooding measures for Nutgrove Avenue is being conducted by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council after several small businesses in the area suf-

fered damage due to flooding last month.

Fianna Fail Senator and Dundrum resident Mary White called on the council to improve preventative flooding measures at the Little Dargle River, following the river’s recent heavy flooding.

Senator White said: “The flooding [in November] at Nutgrove Avenue caused devastation to seven or eight small businesses in Ely Place.

“The council have been very co-operative with me in working on behalf of these

families and I am hoping that council will put its heart and soul into helping to obtain compensation for those affected. The river should be able to make its way through Nutgrove Park and the culvert without being stopped by debris.”

In response, a council spokesperson said the council “has been in contact with the businesses and householder that were flooded on Nutgrove Avenue to see if any practical assistance can be offered.

“We have engaged consult-

ants to examine the screen arrangement in Loretto Park/ Nutgrove Avenue and to examine potential improvements that could be made.

“We are also examining the factors that contributed to the flooding on Nutgrove Avenue.”

Sandyford man is Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

SANDYFORD-based entrepreneur Eamon Keane, co-founder of start-up company Xpreso – an app that tracks couriered deliveries – has been named Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE).

Keane (28) scooped the award by beating 1,100 entries from across the country. He was presented with the prize by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton at IBYE’s final ceremony, at Google’s European headquarters in Dublin on December 7.

As well as winning the title as Ireland’s

Best Young Entrepreneur, Keane also won a €50,000 investment fund for his business.

He set up Xpreso two years ago and since then has become one of the biggest courier companies in the country.

The company was set up to deliver fast delivery information between customers and couriers.

At the awards, Minister Bruton said: “On behalf of the Government, I’d like to congratulate Eamon Keane on winning the competition. But more importantly, I’d like to congratulate all 24 finalists – and all 1,000 young people who entered this competition.”

Among those at the inaugural Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Public Participation Network meeting were Cllr Seamas O’Neill (Ind); Vincent Mockler, Gallops Residents’ Association; Atiaf Hussain, Dun LaoghaireRathdown Ethnic Minority Forum and Cllr Cormac Devlin (FF). Picture: Margaret Brown

forum: praise for initiative’s potential scope

New community network has met

 Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

THE inaugural meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Public Participation Network (PPN) was held last week at the Stillorgan Park Hotel, where more than 140 registered community organisations gathered.

PPNs are set to replace community forums and are currently being rolled out throughout the country. Cllr Seamas O’Neill (Ind), who attended the meeting, said that registered members of the new Dun Laoghaire-

Rathdown PPN elected a steering group at the meeting, comprising 11 people.

He said: “It’s a good system and is arranged totally from the bottom up, resulting in a form which gives more power to community and voluntary groups in policy shaping.

“All the organisations involved are non-profit.

It sounds more complicated than it is, but really it’s for community activists to feed into council policy without going through a councillor.”

Southside Partnership chief executive Cormac Shaw said: “The partnership has been heavily involved in the planning phase, to date, and we are part of the interim steering committee which will help design and develop the PPN during its establishment phase over the coming 12 months.

“One of the core elements of the PPN is the Social Inclusion Pillar, and this represents a key priority for Southside Partnership in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown.”

Also at the meet-

ing was Cllr Cormac Devlin (FF), who said: “Because of all the pillars and all the strands involved in the PPN, it’s not the most simple organisational structure to explain.

“That being said, the PPNs are new in that they’re bringing all different strands of voluntary and community organisations together.”

Willie Morton, DLR PPN co-ordinator, said the PPN was a “fantastic opportunity” for the council and community groups.

11 December 2014 DUNDRUM Gazette 5

6 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 11 December 2014

FASTNews Older people warned to be on aware of bogus callers FOLLOWING a spate of crimes against older people by bogus callers to their homes, Leopardstown-based Home Instead Senior Care is partnering with An Garda Siochana to provide 300,000 check cards to forearm older people answering the door.

Home Instead Senior Care is sponsoring the bogus caller check cards, which are being distributed to the homes of older people in the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown area.

According to a spokesperson for Home Instead: “Many people routinely employ doorto-door traders, repair people or contractors.

Some of these people carry out very little work and charge exorbitant amounts of money for their services.

‘Vulnerable’ “This is criminal behaviour and if you suspect bogus callers are in your area or are working in a vulnerable neighbour’s home – never hesitate in contacting the gardai immediately.”

Gardai are advising older people to use the caller check cards, which contain advice such as first looking out the window when someone calls, having a viewer and a chain fitted to the door, asking callers for identification and not letting strangers into the house.

If you have not received a bogus caller check card, you can get one by contacting Home Instead at 01 206 8022. If you have any concerns about bogus callers, you can contact the gardai at crime_prevention@garda.ie.

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STATISTICS Cautious welcome for latest Nutgrove figures

Mixed reaction to local drop in Live Register  BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

THERE was a mixed reaction to the latest Central Statistics Office unemployment figures for the Nutgrove area which show a drop of 6.7% in those signing on the Live Register in November, when compared to the same month last year.

Several local politicians welcomed the decrease in the statistics, seeing it as a proof of increased employment, while others were fearful that the figures were skewed by including those on employment schemes.

The latest number of people currently signing on the Live Register at Nutgrove Social Welfare Office is 4,009, while last year the figure was 4,298 – a drop of 289 people.

The Minister for Communications, and local Labour TD, Alex White welcomed the drop in those unemployed in the Dundrum area.

He said: “This is positive news and highlights the progress we are continuing to make in tackling unemployment in Dublin South.

“Nationally, almost 125,000 people have left the Live Register in 2014 to take up work.”

However, Cllr Sorcha NicChormaic (SF) said: “There’s always a caveat with these things and we have to look a little bit deeper into the figures.

“Quite often you find there are other factors [in Live Register drops] ... the figures do include people on JobBridge; I don’t think you should include those figures as coming off the Live Register.

“If that figure is actually correlating with people getting back into the workforce, then I’m absolutely delighted with it, but if it’s not then the figures are disingenuous.”

Cllr Neale Richmond (FG) said: “This is welcome news for our area as the number of those signing on in both Nutgrove and Dun Laoghaire has declined yet again.

“Nationally, unemployment is down to 10.7%; 144,645 people left the Live Register to take up jobs in the past 12 months – concrete evidence that it is not just emigration that

There has been a 6.7% drop in the numbers signing on the Live Register in Nutgrove in November compared to the same period last year. Picture: Photocall Ireland

is responsible for the drop.”

Cllr Peter O’Brien (Lab) said: “This is positive news and highlights the progress that is being made in tackling unemployment in the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown area.

“However, unemploy-

ment remains high and every effort must remain to support jobseekers.”

Deputy Olivia Mitchell (FG) said: “I welcome the decrease in the local Live Register figures for Dublin South; 966 residents of the area have left the Live Register in the past year.

“These figures are very promising this close to Christmas, and show that the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs is working.

“T he overall percentage fall in Dublin was 10.37%, but Dun Laoghaire is beating the trend with a decrease of 11.21%.”

Marlay golf works near completion  BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

ALL WORKS are expected to be completed on the Marlay Park Golf Course Clubhouse over the coming weeks, it was announced at a recent Dundrum Local Area Committee meeting.

Cllr Chris Curran (SF) asked the chief executive when all aspects of the project are to be completed, including when the clubhouse is be handed over to DLR Leisure

Services.

In response, a council spokesperson said: “The building is substantially complete, except for a number of outstanding issues that are to be addressed. There is a considerable amount of landscaping and some footpath alterations to be undertaken.

“We are in discussions with DLR Leisure in relation to arrangements for them moving in ... within a few weeks.”

11 December 2014 DUNDRUM Gazette 7

Pieta House Founder taking model to Irish living in New York

Freeman resigns as chief executive  laura webb

Founder of Pieta House Joan Freeman is stepping down as chief executive to bring the suicide prevention and intervention model overseas to ex-pats living in New York.

In 2006, Freeman set up Pieta House, the centre for the prevention of self-harm or suicide in Lucan after seeing a gap in services being provided to people in suicide distress and having personally witnessed suicide.

Now after almost nine years at the helm, Freeman is stepping away from her role as chief

executive of Pieta House, which now has nine centres around the country, to take the model to Irish people living in New York by setting up three centres within Irish Immigration Centres there.

“The fact that we are going to be nine years old next month shows we have sustained that element of good practice but I think it is really because of the public who have totally and utterly embraced it…. it’s a nonclinical setting so it is like coming to someone’s home.

“Suicide can happen to anyone – the youngest we have had has been six

years of age [seeking help from the service] and we have had people in their 80s so it can happen to anybody.

“The fact that we are free of charge, the fact that anybody can make the call, it doesn’t have to be the person in trouble, their family can. The fact that you don’t need a doctor’s letter or psychiatric report – it is just a different approach.”

One major fundraising event that has grown over the years is the Darkness into Light walk. Rebecca Skedd, who works at the New York Irish Immigrant Centre, met with Freeman to discuss the

walk taking place in New York which started the decision on bringing Pieta there.

“We started talking and there are so many undocumented Irish over there and because they don’t have legal status they don’t have insurance and if anything happens to them they are in trouble.

“We decided to target the Irish. We have linked up with the Irish immigrant centre who are giving us a few rooms [in centres within the Irish community] so we will be providing a pieta service to the Irish.

“If it goes well, I have no doubt that this type

Pieta House founder, Joan Freeman. Picture: Photocall Ireland

of model might be something that the Americans might want to look at.”

Freeman hopes the New York centres will be open by summer 2015 and if this pilot proves successful she hopes to link with the other

Irish Immigrant Centres around America.

In a bid to raise muchneeded funds to cover a €300,000 deficit, Love/ Hate producers have donated the now iconic King Nidge runners to generate funds through a

text to win competition.

Text NIDGE to 57802 before 6pm on Christmas Eve, text cost €2 with a minimum of €1.38 going towards Pieta.

For further information on Pieta House see: www. pieta.ie

8 gazette 11 December 2014

11 December 2014 gazette 9

10 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 11 December 2014

GAZETTEGALLERIES

Susie and Gavin Downes

Francis Mahon and Paula Dooley

Paul Granger and Susan Rowe

The Murphy family meet Rookie the Reindeer before they started the 5km run.

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Jenny Shortt, Sarah McCluskey and AnnaMarie Boyse

MARLAY PARK: A DASHING CHARITY EVENT FOR THE RNLI

Reindeers run to raise funds

T

HESE runners were among those who donned red t-shirts, antlers and festive costumes to dash across Marlay Park in the RNLI’s Reindeer Run. Funds raised from the event will support

Pictures: Rose Comiskey

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the RNLI’s work of saving lives at sea.

Young participants sauntered across the 1.5km and 3km routes, while the more experienced runners and walkers took part in the 5km and 10km events.

12 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 11 December 2014

ASK THE POLITICIAN A weekly Q&A with some local representatives The Gazette asks: In light of the recent death of Jonathan Corrie on our city’s streets, what can be done to combat the huge rise in homelessness in the city?

DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL: CLLR DAVID COSTELLO (FF)

We need to act now AT the December meeting of Dublin City Council Fianna Fail Cllr David Costello tabled a motion in relation to the death of homeless man Jonathan Corrie in Dublin. The motion was passed unanimously.

Motion: That this council takes a moment to reflect the loss of another homeless person on our city streets today and calls on the chief executive to identify unused council property in the city centre that could be quickly converted into temporary shelter for the homeless.

The latest count, carried out on November 11 identified 168 individuals as “rough sleepers”, up from 139 in November

last year, an increase of 21%. The homeless crisis in this city is out of control and I feel more can and should be done to get people off of the streets. I have called on the manager to identify city council property that could be used to help alleviate this crisis. Shelters for homeless men and women should provide a secure setting including space for non-drug users to feel safe.

Minster Alan Kelly needs to stop worrying about how he is going to spin the Irish Water fiasco each day and start focusing on the housing and homeless crisis. A series of warnings have already been issued about extreme change in the

weather this winter and I am worried that the needless death of Jonathan Corrie [last week] could well be repeated. Dying on the streets is not a dignified and proper way for anyone to pass away. It is too late for Jonathan but we should take this as a warning and act now.

The time for writing policy has passed; we need action.

DUN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN COUNTY: CLLR KARL GILL (PBP)

Open up the empty buildings IT is surprising just how easy it would be for this Government to solve the immediate growing homelessness crisis.

There are 140 people counted as sleeping rough in Dublin City [in reality there are far more as many wouldn’t be in public areas]. There are plenty of empty buildings in the city, some owned by the state or council that could be opened up and for a low-cost heated and filled with blankets

and mattresses.

“But what’s even more obscene is how easy it would be to immediately eradicate homelessness altogether or at least prevent more people from going homeless. The majority of new homeless people are those who are the victims of the lack of social housing provision. People who are on housing waiting lists and placed in rented accommodation on the rent allowance scheme. Near-

ly every letting on Daft.ie comes with the qualification of ‘Rent Allowance not accepted’ so many people are harshly prejudiced against by landlords. However if you are lucky enough to find somewhere that is low rent and rents to those in receipt of social welfare, it is likely that your rent will go up when the lease is renewed and your rent supplement will remain at the same level and you will be forced to go

homeless. So it doesn’t take a genius to realise that an immediate rise in the rent allowance caps and the practices prejudiced landlords made illegal is what is needed.”

FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL: CLLR BRIAN MCDONAGH (LAB)

We need to make funds available now THIS August, I proposed a motion asking that Fingal cut the property tax by 10% instead of 15% so that up to €2,000,000 per year could be redirected to emergency homelessness and housing funding to tackle the problem. It was voted against

by The AAA, Sinn Fein, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael and many independents. If we are serious we need to make

funds available locally as well as nationally.

Alan Kelly has really impressed me since he took over Environment. “ H e r e a r e s e ve n things Labour are doing now to solve this: • An additional €10.5m in 2015 for homeless accommodation. • 645 vacant units will be restored in Dublin within six months.

• 164 additional emergency beds by January

5th (total 1,690). • The Housing First Service for rough sleepers provided by Focus Ireland and Peter McVerr y Trust financed by the Government. • T he Housing Assistance Payment scheme for homeless households. • The Homeless prevention campaign, run by Threshold helping over 2,000 people know their rights to stay in homes • Increase overall housing

supply. With the biggest plan for social housing the state has ever seen as well as measures to get building back in place in a sustainable manner.

SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL: CLLR FINTAN WARFIELD (SF)

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FIRSTLY, it is hugely tragic that it has taken a citizen of the state to die on the doorstep of the Houses of the Oireachtas for the issue of homelessness to be taken seriously.

I am preparing for a special meeting and forum, called by Minister Alan Kelly, to see what collective actions can be taken by Government, housing authorities and the voluntary sector.

We’ve been calling for this meeting since March.

We have a crisis on our doorstep and Government need to acknowledge that. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government must make available resources for a short-term, immediate solution. They need to consider every resource at the state’s disposal to help tackle this problem, including

the use of state buildings.

Sinn Fein recently highlighted an example of St Bricin’s Military Hospital in the inner city - a fully equipped military hospital, with a kitchen and 140 beds, currently with just two in use.

Actions are needed now, more than ever. Local authorities are doing all they can within limited resources. Here in South Dublin, we’ve increased our budget to tackle

homelessness by 150%, bringing that allocation to €1.5. Councils and voluntary housing associations are best placed to tackle this crisis.

11 December 2014 Gazette 13

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Andrew Stanley is one of Ireland’s best-loved comedians and will perform his new show at the Laughter Lounge on January 8

A DAY IN THE LIFE: Comedian Andrew Stanley spills the beans on his life

Andrew’s all about the show  Rob Heigh

Andrew Stanley has been running the Comedy Cellar at the International on Wicklow Street since taking it over in 2007, and in that time has become one of Ireland’s best-loved comedians through his constant gigging and MCing at the Cellar and the Laughter Lounge, and television appearances on the likes of I Dare Ya. We spoke to Andrew at the Cellar and asked him to describe one of his typical days.

“Generally, I’m up late compared to a doctor, but I’m up early compared to some other comedians! I’m usually up early, and while I’m having my coffee and porridge, I will check on very boring things, emails and stuff like that.

But as I am working on some American dates for next year, it makes the email much more exciting.

“Then I watch some terrible television for an hour - the likes of Storage Wars or Pawn Stars, and if not those, I will have sports on in the background.

I play football and golf, but I will watch literally any sport at all. If I don’t know about a sport, I will get into it and watch it. When the lacrosse team got into the world championships recently, I would watch that and write about it as well when I was writing sports columns for ramp.ie.

“Then I will usually wander into town, as I live pretty close, and meet up with a couple of comics who I write with, who are good to develop some ideas with

and write some material.

“Then I would head home, and lunches are always very simple, as I’m a vegetarian. I can eat very unbalanced, as I might have breakfast and might not have anything again until dinner. Dinners I’ve no preference, but stir fries and Mexican food would be staples for me.

“While I’m doing that, myself and four comics in England get together on WhatsApp and will work on one of our ideas for half an hour or so. It’s a nice thing, and a really supportive environment.

“Generally then, once dinner is done, I’m playing football before going to a gig, or just relaxing.

“Just relaxing and having time to myself is the nicest thing about the time before the gig, and once I’m there, it’s all

about the show. My whole day involves getting to that point.

“The show itself is having fun - on a Tuesday and Wednesday, it’s all admin leading toward the gig that night, advertising it on social media, and when it’s stuff at the weekends when I might be playing at the Laughter Lounge, I’ll write out what I might talk about that night. All the gigs I do are nice - try to stay away from bad gigs, they’re not good for the soul!”

Andrew Stanley performs his new show at the Laughter Lounge on January 8, and tickets are available through laughterlounge.com and ticketmaster. ie. Andrew MCs the Comedy Cellar at the International every Tuesday and Wednesday from 8.45pm.

shape this New Year by taking part in a fun run at Dublin Docklands as part of this year’s NYF Dublin’s Resolution Day. The NYF Resolution Day Fun Run takes place at CHQ at 12 noon on January 1. Family and friends can join in the fun by taking part in this 2.5km route around the city centre.

Proceeds from the event will go to the Mark Pollock Trust.

Meanwhile, personal trainer to the stars Paul Byrne is set to put fitness fanatics, couch potatoes and everyone in between through their paces with a special hour long interactive fitness masterclass.

This event starts at 1pm New Year’s Day in the CHQ Building, Paul Byrne will give you the low down on all the tips, tricks and secrets you need to know to triumph at the twomonth challenge For further information of what’s on throughout the day and registration details, see www. nyfdublin.com

14 Gazette 11 December 2014

11 December 2014 Gazette 15

Gazette

FEATURE

escape the mayhem: Actor Steve Blount swims and reads fairytales with his daughter

Zen and the art of relaxation  keith bellew

ACTOR Steve Blount is well known for his on screen roles in Agnes Browne, Breakfast on Pluto, and, most recently, Game of Thrones.

He is currently touring Ireland, while performing in Lennox Robinson’s slapstick comedy, The Far Off Hills.

This week, Blount spoke to The Gazette about what he does to Escape the Mayhem of rehearsals, shoots and tours.

He said: “In my game, I tend to be on the road a lot and even when I’m at home and rehearsing, I can be getting up in the dark and coming home in the dark.

“Sometimes you can be doing takes and rehearsals and then have a show that night.

“You can be starting at 10 in the morning and finishing at 10 or 11 at night some weeks.

“What I do to get away from all that is swim.

“You can always find a swimming pool somewhere on the road, and I like to go in and do the lanes.

“I do about two kilometres; it takes me about 45 minutes.

“When I get in there it’s good for the body, the mind and the soul. “ Yo u g o i n t h e r e and it’s like a washing machine in your head; I can run lines when I’m doing the lanes.

“It’s a healthy pursuit, and I always hit some kind of Zen point.

“As much as I might be jacked or knackered and might not want to do it, if I do it I come out the other side all the better for it.

“I have a little sevenyear-old, Ava Li, and at the moment I’m reading The Chronicles of Narnia to her.

A joy

“We’re just about to start the third book, and I’ll read a chapter or two during the day and a chapter or two when we go to bed at night, and it’s a joy.

“She believes every word of it, and I haven’t read the books before so I’m reading away and we don’t know what’s going

to happen next and all of a sudden there will be a cliffhanger, or the witch comes along or the horse starts to fly and she’ll be looking at me and her eyes will open wide.

“It beats any television.

Great buzz

“I get a great buzz out of that, and I’m as excited as she is about sitting down stopping everything and just reading from the book. It’s fantastic!”

Steve Blount will continue his tour of The Far Off Hills this month with the next performances taking place at the Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire from Tuesday, December 16 to Thursday, December 18.

Actor Steve Blount can practise his lines while doing lanes in the swimming pool. He is performing in the Pavilion Theatre (right) in Dun Laoghaire from December 16 to 18.

GAZETTE

16 GAZETTE 11 December 2014

DUBLINLIFE

HOWELL, UNIQUE Q&A KEITH FLOORING COMPANY

Family motivation gives a real drive to succeed AS OWNER of Unique Flooring Company, Keith Howell has been living in Clondalkin for the past 34 years.

Working as a carpenter for the past 22 years, his father was a carpenter so it was always what he wanted to be and now, with his own family – a How long have you been in business?

I’ve been self-employed for the past 13 years and opened up Unique Flooring Com-

wife and two daughters – this gives him the drive to succeed. Keith says he loves dealing with different people every day and takes a lot of pride in what he does. This was one of the reasons for opening up a flooring showroom, letting him do what he loves, and meet new people every day.

pany in April, 2001.

What makes your business successful?

Working hard and offering people a

wide range of flooring products. You’re only as good as your last job. I find if you keep to this quota, you can’t go far wrong.

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

We offer that personal touch that a lot of bigger companies can’t, from the minute you walk into our showroom to us fitting your new floor, and even after it’s fitted.

We cater for all walks of life and believe if you’re paying for something, it should be the way you want it.

How has the recession impacted your business?

I think the recession hit every business in some way. In saying that, I class myself as one of the lucky ones as I was working all the way through it.

What have you changed about your business to combat the effects of the recession?

I have tried to offer people quality at the right price. I don’t believe in using poorquality products

because whether you’re paying a little or a lot, you want it to last.

How do you use social media (Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, etc) to help your business?

I think social media is just fantastic for any business. I use Facebook myself for the business.

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

I personally think there should be a lot more help for people trying to start a new business as we have a lot of very talented young people out there.

What is your ambition for the business?

My ambitions are to keep the values that I have and keep doing what I have for as long as I can.

What advice would you give to a budding entrepreneur?

Look after the people on the way up as you

may need them on the way down.

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

I think it is very important to use local businesses and bring it back to the old ways of everybody being friendly in the community.

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Pets help camelot rediscover his courage

A vintage festive fun fair for all the family to enjoy now resides at Wolfe Tone Square, courtesy of the Dublin Town collective. Pictures: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

families: market initiatives highlight reasons to shop in the centre

A fair way to have city fun

 Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

FESTIVE family fun and great Christmas shopping experiences that carry you back to a bygone time are currently being served up by Dublin Town (Dublin City Business Improvement District) across the city.

Dublin Town was established as a concerted effort and alliance of Dublin city businesses and retailers to improve trade in the city centre.

The Gazette spoke to Clyde Carroll, spokesperson for Dublin Town, about what shoppers and families can expect from the city this Christmas.

He said: “We’re working with the businesses in the Wolfe Tone Square area and for the month of December there’s going to be festive fun activities

in the square, which is beside the Jervis Centre.

“We’ve put in a vintage helter-skelter, carousel and vintage chair-o-planes.

We’ve also put in two vintage games units – one of which involves throwing ping-pong balls into a glass bowl, and you can win teddy bears.

“There’s also food there like a charcoal grill, crepes and pick-n-mix. The Church bar and restaurant are doing mulled wine for it, so it’s going to be lovely.

“We’re promoting it as a place where you can take a break from shopping with the family, and have a little bit of fun.”

When asked how business was going at the Stephen’s Green Market, so far, Carroll said: “That’s been running for

about 17 days and in that time we’ve had 340,000 people visiting the market, so it’s been incredible.

“The majority of businesses around the area – such as cafes, bars and restaurants – are telling us their business is up because of it. Even the retailers down on Grafton Street have noticed an increase in footfall coming through their doors, and that’s down to the market.

“Working together does benefit everybody. The Office of Public Works, Dublin City Council, the Gardai, local businesses and ourselves all worked together.

“If you think of ‘the M50 Ring’, Liffey Valley, Blanchardstown and Dundrum Town Centre are all massive out-oftown shopping centres, so the idea at the core of everything we do and why

we were set up is about giving people a reason to be in town and making the city centre a destination of choice.

“People can shop wherever they want, even online, so we have to give them a reason to be in town, and that was the idea of the Christmas market. We didn’t put 68 Christmas stalls there so traders could have a great time – we did it to get business into the city, and it’s really working.

“We brought in a company called Milestone Inventive, who run the Galway Christmas market, to run the market on our behalf because we’re not market experts and they’re delivering in spades,” he said.

Stephen’s Green Market and Wolfe Tone Festive Family Funfair both run until Monday, December 22.

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

Our Dog of the Week is Camelot, a two-yearold Pit Bull Terrier cross.

Courageous Cammie had a skin condition when he arrived in Dogs Trust; it is now very much improved.

What he really needs is to go to a quiet, loving home with understanding and caring adults, who will take great care of him. He has grown up in a kennelled environment and knows nothing of the outside world, so he can be afraid of new situations. However, when Camelot gets to know you, he will do anything for you.

Dogs like Camelot can be greatly misunderstood, but if you think you could help Camelot to blossom into the superstar we know he is, then please call Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000 or pop into the centre. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE.

Gazette

18 Gazette 11 December 2014

OUT&ABOUT Marks and Spencers A Taste of Scotland whiskey €24

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ANOTHER week closer to Christmas, and The Gazette has a range of possible gifts to present to your nearest and dearest later this month.

While Mr Claus will be bringing gifts to younger citizens, older readers may be looking for a few last-minute gift ideas – particularly for the men in our lives who, this week, get a bigger shake of the Christmas bag than ladies or children.

However, whether you’re looking for something for the big (or small) boys in your life, or for girls of all ages, we have another eclectic range of gifts that could be just the thing to complete Christmas ...

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11 December 2014 gazette 19

Gazette

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20 Gazette 11 December 2014

STYLE

Aine Knitwear Soft grey wave-patterned collar €45, soft grey wavepatterned snood €75

Irish craft and design goods clockwise from top right: Magic Forest Toys - €40; A Box for my Treasure - earrings €34; Ali Nash - turqoise bracelet €100; and Juvi - green onyx and vermeil earrings €85

Designs on beauty  laura webb

WHEN thinking about fashion or beauty this year, think Irish, and support the ongoing change in attitude that consumers have towards giving and receiving Irish craft and design.

This is a trend that the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland has noticed in recent years, with products designed and made in Ireland gaining increased popularity.

During a recent showcase in Arnotts, who has been working with the council over the past three years, it was clear to see just how unique, beautiful and price-rang-

ing these items can be.

Speaking to The Gazette, Vincent Traynor, of Dublin-based jewellery designers, Juvi Designs, said: “It is getting more important for people to support Irish. Our designs are available in House of Fraser in Dundrum and in Arnotts.

Collection “They range from classic pearls and gemstones and are sterling silver or gold-plated. We also have designs by Chupi, Seamus Gill and Martina Hamilton, so we have a collection of Irish designers here, but 50% is Juvi.”

Not only are there

some beautiful jewellery pieces, but there are some very unique items, from fashion to homewares that could go down a treat with friends and family.

More than 140 locations around the country are selling Irish Craft and Design with more and more creative startups registering with the Crafts Council.

Participating retailers include Arnotts, The Killkenny Group, House of Ireland and Carraig Donn, as well as the Designyard, Irish Design Shop and Stonechat in Dublin.

Karen Hennessy, chief executive of the Design

and Crafts Council of Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be working with retailers throughout the country in giving Irish craft and design a dedicated presence in stores and in encouraging consumers to choose Irish gifts this Christmas.

“Every purchase of Irish-designed and made products keep money in our local economy, and helps in sustaining and growing Ireland’s vibrant and innovative craft and design sector into the future.”

A full list of stockists is available at www. giveirishcraft.com/stockists.

11 December 2014 Gazette 21

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22 Gazette 11 December 2014

OUT&ABOUT

TELL US YOUR STORY Call our news team on 60 10 240 and SELECT OPTION 2 or email news@gazettegroup.com

CINEMA

We would love WHAT HAS IT to hear it!

HAVE YOU WHO DISCOVERED? CHANGED WHAT YOUR DID YOU LIFE? INSPIRED FIND? YOU?

Once again, Gandalf (Ian McKellan) finds himself as one of the key players in the fate of Middle Earth

the hobbit 3: epic ending for trilogy

The final battle is here  Dave phillips

THIS year sees the final instalment of Peter Jackson’s Hobbit trilogy – with The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.

Last year’s Hobbit installment, The Desolation of Smaug, was a film that managed to up the enjoyment level several notches simply by featuring less tea and more dragon.

Compared to the first film, the themes were darker and the pace was lightning-fast, with the party travelling through Mirkwood, encountering the Dickens-cum-Python mash-up that was Laketown, before finally coming face to face with the

monstrosity of Smaug.

The Battle of the Five Armies continues the story directly where we left off, with Smaug awoken and laying pillage to Laketown.

As word spreads that The Lonely Mountain no longer has a dragon guarding it, the valuable tactical position of the ruined Dwarven stronghold and the vast supplies of treasure become an attraction for practically every faction on MiddleEarth, including the forces of Sauron.

It almost goes without saying, but this is prime meat for Jackson’s unique style of epic cinema, with sweeping landscape shots, intense and massive bat-

tles, and intricate, fastpaced action scenes.

The film clocks in under two and half hours, making it the shortest of the Hobbit films. While the film features the largestscale Middle-Earth action we have seen, it also has the least amount of plot or novelty going on.

Out goes Stephen Fry as the cowardly Master of Laketown; equally missing is that familiar sense of adventure – the bumbling rivalries and pitfalls that the group encountered on their way towards The Lonely Mountain – and far gone are those subtler storylines of betrayal and corruption.

Instead, we have the established characters

hanging in a kind of stasis with little or no development; they are tasked only to respond to the war that is erupting around them.

The Battle of the Five Armies proves to be a bit of a mixed bag. Essentially, it does what it promises to do and offers a large-scale climax to the story, but its familiarity also plays against it.

There are very few surprises in store, and the action that was inspiring a decade ago now feels a little old. Despite its drawbacks, if you have followed Jackson’s journey this far, it is inevitable you’ll finish it – a fittingly epic but disappointingly stale end to the saga.

Verdict: 6/10

11 December 2014 Gazette 23

Gazette

24 gazette 11 December 2014

OUT&ABOUT A fine setting for old world charms monaghan: castle leslie estate

Celebrate in style at lovely Lyrath LYRATH Estate Hotel (above), which is Kilkenny’s only five-star hotel, is hosting a wide range of Christmas festivities for its guests this year.

From €23, guests can enjoy a comforting selection of sweet and savoury treats consisting of freshly-made finger sandwiches, Eton Mess, chocolate fondant, mulled wine, festive porter, hand-made mince pies and many more festive treats.

In the hotel’s La Perla restaurant, guests can also look forward to a four-course Christmas dinner with a half bottle of house wine and after dinner liquor at €45 per guest.

Wrapped around 170 acres of mature parkland and only minutes away from the historic Kilkenny City, Lyrath Estate Hotel fuses stunning contemporar y hotel design with the elegance of its original 17th Century house, meeting everything you

would expect from a leading hotel.

The hotel features 139 spaciously appointed airconditioned bedrooms, two bars along with two restaurants, The Oasis Spa and a luxurious and refreshing leisure centre, while the “Kilkenny Convention Centre” at the hotel also offers state-of–the-art facilities for up to 1,500 delegates For further information about what the Lyrath Estate Hotel has to offer, see www.lyrath. com.

 mimi murray

WHAT can be better than taking a leisurely stroll through frosty woodlands on a December morning?

We are extremely lucky here in Ireland to have lots of fine country houses remaining that are open to the public.

However, what if you want to experience what it is like to live in one of these splendid old mansions? There is nowhere

better for this than Castle Leslie Estate in County Monaghan.

Going there in December is a real treat, and this place lends itself well to a Christmas theme.

Set in the extremely pretty Glaslough Village, it is commonly remembered for the ill-fated wedding of Paul McCartney and Heather Mills.

That one may not have ended well, but many weddings that have been held there since are still

going strong.

In fact, the place is completely booked out for next year, with more than 100 weddings set to be held there.

This makes it tricky to be able to secure a bedroom in the castle at any given time, but we were extremely lucky to do just that recently.

The castle has 20 bedrooms, all individually designed and each with a theme. We stayed in The Chinese Room, which is

decorated in plush, deep reds. There are no TVs in the bedrooms, but there is a cinema room that you might spend a little while trying to find after a few drinks ...

But that’s the beauty of this place – you are made to feel like you are at home for the night, and you are given free reign to explore and relax.

We dined in Snaffles Restaurant, which is located in the lodge, a short stroll from the cas-

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11 December 2014 gazette 25

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CHRISTMAS BREAKS

Celebrate a white Christmas in style and comfort at this lovely Monaghan hotel

Seeped in history, Castle Leslie Estate offers a warm welcome to its Christmas guests

tle to the entrance of the estate – or, if you are so inclined, a driver will take you in one of the estate’s Range Rovers.

We dined there on a Saturday and the restaurant was full to capacity.

Guests were still trickling in at 10pm, looking for a table.

The dining room is large with very high ceilings and is set on a balcony, overlooking the bar area and the stables.

To start, we were more than tempted by a very extensive gin menu, and all come with a little more than ice and a slice.

I tried a Martin Miller

with strawberries and cracked black pepper, while my other half went for a South Bank gin with two juniper berries and a sprig of coriander. Both were refreshing and delicious, and proved the perfect pre-dinner drink.

The six-course dinner, that was included in

the price of our stay, was spread out well over the course of the evening.

We started with a cod croquette amuse bouche; a small appetiser sent out from the chef. This was small and perfectly formed.

The starters included a crab dumpling and a

wood pigeon, while for the main course we went for venison and a special of pan-fried cod on a bed of lobster and mussel risotto with a lobster bisque.

This was an outstanding dish and one of my highlights of the year.

Dessert of banana tart tartin with caramel sauce and coconut ice cream and a warm chocolate mousse pot brought a perfect evening’s dining to a fanfare conclusion.

Note that for guests residing in the castle, it’s advisable to wait for a driver to take you back after dinner – we didn’t, and ended up knee deep in muck. Still, this proves all the more reason to choose a perch next to one of the castle’s many roaring open fires and while away a few more hours in conversation.

It would be criminal not to check out the treatment rooms during

your stay, and I went for a facial with voya seaweed paprika exfoliator, and this included a head massage.

An outdoor hot tub ove r l o o k s t h e l u s h grounds and the stables, and is the perfect place to loosen any knots that may still be lingering after your treatment, proving a must-do.

For further information, see www.castleleslie. com.

26 GAZETTE 11 December 2014

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We, Peter Ellis & Mary O’Malley wish to apply for amendments to previously granted Application for Planning Permission No. D 14A / 0582 for works to Ardglas House, Ardglas Estate, Sandyford Road, Dundrum, Dublin 16, a protected structure. The amendments consist of the addition of 1 no. central vertical glazing mullion to previously granted dormer rooflight to North Elevation and minor amendments to the lower ground floor layout. The planning application may be inspected or purchased for a fee not exceeding a reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

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PLANNING NOTICE DĂšN LAOGHAIRE RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL

Permission is sought for the subdivision of the site into two and the construction of a new twostorey, three-bedroom dwelling with 3no. rooflights, as well as 2no. parking spaces to the front of the proposed dwelling, and all associated site works at 287 Nutgrove Avenue, Churchtown, Dublin 14 for Ruairi Scollard & Aoife Redican.The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority, County Hall, Dun Laoghaire during its public opening hours.A submission/ observation may be made on payment of â‚Ź20 within a period of 5 weeks from thedate the application is received by the planning authority.

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PLANNING NOTICE DĂšN LAOGHAIRE RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL

Permission is sought for development to an existing dwelling at 19 Brighton Court, Brighton Road, Foxrock, Dublin 18 by Finbarr Smyth. The development will consist of an extension to the rear of the dwelling at ground, first and second floor levels, reroofing of existing sunroom, a new dormer window to the rear of the second floor, and adjustment of the existing roof, including proposed rooflights to the rear. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority, County Hall, Dun Laoghaire, during its public opening hours.

A submission / observation may be made on payment of ₏20 within a period of 5 weeks from the date the application is received by the planning authority. Agents – Hoctor Smyth Architecture & Engineering.

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11 December 2014 Gazette 27

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FastSport fai junior cup ties see dublin sides in action:

Speed skating will be on display at the Ice Skating Blanchardstown facility at the end of the month for potential racing stars of the future

speed skating: A course for potential future stars to be helD in dublin 15

The fastest place on ice this month is Blanchardstown For the first time in this country, the Ice Skating Association Of Ireland (ISAI) is holding a speed skating camp at the specially-constructed rink at Ice Skating Blanchardstown from December 29 until January 2.

The camp at Ice Skating Blanchardstown will be run on private ice sessions and divided according to age and ability. Internationally accredited coaches will be on hand to provide instruction and all the necessary equipment to participate will be provided.

This will be the first time ever that the discipline of speed skating will make an appearance at an ice rink in Ireland. The top competitors in the sport can reach speeds of over 60km/h and burn up to 230 calories for every ten minutes they are on the ice.

Speed skating is a competitive form of ice skating where skaters race against each other over certain set distances. It has been part of every single edition of the Winter Olympics.

The history of the sport dates back

over a thousand years and has its roots in Scandinavia, Northern Europe and the Netherlands.

The ISAI has been instrumental in promoting the sport in Ireland and in petitioning for the creation of a national facility for figure skating and speed skating in Ireland in recent years after the closure in 2010 of the Dundalk Icedome, which became the first Olympic size ice rink in the Republic in 2006.

Since then, Irish skaters in the Republic were left without an ice rink

to practice on, and were faced with the choice of making the journey up to Dundonald or waiting until the seasonal ice rinks opened for Christmas.

The total cost for the camp is â‚Ź100, which includes five 45-minute sessions on the ice and three sessions of dry-land training.

Contact info@isai.ie now to book a place on the course, and for further details, log on to www.isai.ie. Places are on a strictly first come, first served basis so booking in advance is essential.

There were 16 Dublin-based teams involved when the draw for the last 32 of the FAI Junior Cup were revealed last week. The ties involving Dublin teams are: Regional Utd v River Valley Rangers; Kilreen Celtic v Crumlin Utd; Cherry Orchard v City Utd; Vale View Shankill or Rush or Shielton or Leeview FC v Nenagh Cel; Sheriff YC v Whitechurch FC or Tramore FC; Villa FC or Mullingar Ath v Liffey Wanderers FC; Carrick Utd or Sandyford FC v Greenhills Greenpark FC; Clondalkin Celtic v Moyross Celtic; Listowel Cel v EID FC or Crettyard Utd; Donnycarney FC v Wayside Celtic or Howth Celtic; FC Sportslink Ailesbury v Clonmel Celtic.

c o n ta c t s Sports Editor: Rob Heigh rheigh@dublingazette.com

For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@gazettegroup.com Phone: 01 651 6205

Gazette

28 Gazette 11 December 2014

SPORT Evans and Magee miss Open

FastSport

badminton: international event deprived of top local stars

Cricket in the city to get development officer: Crick-

et Leinster are looking to appoint a new cricket in the community development officer to work in the Dublin City area.

Cricket Leinster, through its development plan, provides a comprehensive development pathway for all involved in the game of cricket from nursery to elite international status.

Cricket Leinster has now joined forces with Dublin City Council in a new initiative to bring its development programme into the community.

As a key step in this joint initiative Cricket Leinster and Dublin City Council will work in partnership to fund the appointment of a part-time CDO for the Dublin City area who will be responsible for the implementation of various Cricket Leinster and Dublin City Council cricket programmes in specific areas of the city.

Full details are available from www. cricketireland.com

 sport@dublingazette.com

The 2014 Carlton Irish Open badminton competition proved to be a disappointing one from a local point of view, with Olympian and world ranked 31 player Scott Evans unable to compete due to injury,

and Chloe McGee also having to bow out of the competition.

Evans, the double Olympian and 2012 winner, was tipped as the main contender for this year’s men’s singles title after his recent run of excellent form at the

Brazilian Grand Prix and Bitburger Open Event, and will be a particular disappointment to the local star who was looking to reclaim the title he last claimed in 2012.

Announcing his withdrawl, Evans said: “I picked up an injury dur-

Men’s singles finalists Ng Ka Long Angus and Wang Tzu Wei

Women’s singles finalists Beatriz Corrales and Line Kjaersfeldt. Pictures: Ben Phelan

ing a team match last week and was not able to recover quick enough to be ready to play.

“Of course, I am very disappointed not to be able to play my home event but I have to be smart and listen to my body.”

Magee was also a contender for a podium finish in the women’s singles and mixed doubles event after her recent performances at the Brazilian Grand Prix and Yonex All England, where she reached the last 16.

“I’m devastated to have to pull out of the Irish Open, the home event means so much more to me than any other and I love playing with my family and friends in the crowd,” said Magee. “The

home crowd is always so supportive which makes a big difference. I was hoping to end the year on a high but it could be worse and I’m looking forward to a good Olympic qualifying year.”

In the absence of Magee, Spain’s Beatriz Corrales banished the memory of her 2013 runners-up spot at the open by defeating 2012 champion Line Kjaersfeldt in the final, securing her return to the Badminton Europe circuit after her win at the Welsh Open last week in Cardiff.

It has been a fantastic three weeks for the Spanish ace after her runnersup spot at the Scottish Open GP in Glasgow which preceded her pair of victories at the Welsh

and Irish Open.

Corrales edged out Kjaersfeldt in the opening game which seemed to break the resolve of the Dane and after easing into a 6-1 lead in the second game Kjaersfeldt look out on her feet after a fantastic week’s performance in Dublin.

Corrales never looked back after the interval and took the title with a 21-13 win in the second game.

“It has been a good few weeks for me and I am very happy to win here in Ireland after losing in the final last year,” said the Spanish ace.

“I watched Line play yesterday and she was playing amazing badminton this week so that has made the win even nicer here in Dublin.”

Murray Motorsport team shine at Mondello 6-hour  sport@dublingazette.com

One of the Murray Motorsports Ford Fiestas in action at Mondello recently

The Dublin based Murray Motorsport team dominated the first-ever six-hour Endurance Race for Ford Fiestas at Mondello Park, with their cars taking four of the top ten placings at the chequered flag.

There was a great battle with team blackchurchmotors.ie and Team Turkington and after six hours, the Murray’s Team 10 got the win by one lap.

The winning quartet included three former Dunlop Sexton Trophy winners, Eoin and Niall

Murray and Michael Cullen, with Barry English completing the line up, and they led for almost the complete race.

At the finish, they had just over a lap in hand over the Blackchurch Ford trio of Barry Rabbitt, Sean Lillis and Richard Kearney with the second Murray car of John and Liam Denning, Michael Devaney and Rod McGovern another 24 seconds down in third place.

Recently crowned British Touring Car champion Colin Turkington from Portadown showed his class by setting a

new Fiesta lap record for the Co Kildare circuit, even though he has only raced there a few times in the past. His team finished fourth.

Denis Moynihan and Gerard Conway won the Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally, 21 seconds ahead of Welsh pair Tomas and Eurig Davies, both driving Ford Escorts. The Volvo of James O’Mahony and Kerrie Barry won the Historic section.

This was the first-ever endurance race for cars from the Patch Fiesta Championship and took place at Mondello

Park recently. The race, which finished in darkness, was run on the international track with an increased grid size of forty eight cars.

Swords -based Team Barrable were also among the competitors and brought with them a rich history of success in karting, rallying and circuit racing worlds.

Backed up by proven race winner, David Kerrigan, Team Barrable +1 had set its sights on a place in the top finishers, but did not figure in the leading contestants.

11 December 2014 Gazette 29

Gazette

netball: national women’s side perform well against world’s best

Ireland impress on Singapore stage  sport@dublingazette.com

Ireland kicked off their participation in the netball Nations Cup in Singapore last week with a pair of defeats against two of the world’s best sides starting with a loss to Botswana, ranked 11 placed ahead of them in the world rankings, and a narrow defeat against Malaysia, the world number 23 side.

Botswana, currently ranked 16th in the world, took on Ireland who are the lowest ranked team in the competition at 27.

The scoreline was much closer than many antici-

pated, with Ireland fighting all the way to keep the African side in their sights, eventually going down 39-50 in what was an impressive opener from the competition’s nominal minnows.

Botswana started the stronger and gave themselves a nine-point cushion after the opening quarter which was to prove crucial in the final shakedown.

Ireland settled into the game and drew the second quarter 9-9 for a 16-25 half-time score, much to the delight of the small but vocal group of Irish supporters.

Ireland have an experienced side this year with just a few new additions, and under new coach Joan Young they are keen to keep improving on their Nations Cup performances.

Ireland stayed strong and lost the remaining two quarters by a single point in each.

This bouyed them ahead of their match against Malaysia, which saw them looking confident after their fighting display against Botswana and pushed in front in the second for a 23-18 halftime advantage.

However, Malaysia

FastSport Garda women looking for new recruits:

Ireland were in action against Botswana in their first match. Picture: Netball Singapore

regrouped to take the lead in the third as they made several changes on court and started to dominate mid court resulting in important turnovers.

This was the decisive period that gave them a lead they were able to hold onto as Ireland picked it up again in the

fourth (8-8) but they ran out of time to get their first points on the table.

Speaking after the first match, coach Young said: “I am really happy with how we played today. The girls showed great tenacity and determination. I tried to get as many players on court as possible so they

got some great experience today.

“This is my first time at this competition so the teams are new to me so we will take it one match at a time and I think for us to target a couple of wins this week would be an achievable target after seeing how we played.”

THE recently-formed Garda RFC women’s team which was set up in August are looking for new players.

They train on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm in Westmanstown and recently won their second league match against Athy. For more information, contact Ger on 087 940 4691.

Westmanstown’s Under-15 and -18 girls are also recruiting.

Training is on Thursdays at 6.30pm in Westmanstown. For more information, contact Lorna on 086 232 3344.

Gazette

30 DUNDRUM gazette 11 December 2014

SPORT

FastSport

rugby: bonus point win keeps donnybrook side on top

No Mercy from DCU as Meteors exit cup DCU Mercy ensured there was to be no miraculous comeback for Meteors senior ladies basketball team in the second leg of their Women’s National Cup game last weekend.

Leading by a daunting forty points after the first leg of the quarter-final tie DCU piled on the points from the start, opening an eight point advantage early on in the first quarter and from there they coasted to an impressive sixty point aggregate victory at the finsh.

DCU Mercy head coach Mark Ingle was happy to see his side keep up their hard work from the opening encounter.

“It was a good win, we had warned the girls against any complacency going into the game and they made sure that that didn’t happen.

We played well to be fair and we had a very good start going 10-2 ahead. We got a lot of our younger players into the game and all ten players got on the score sheet. Everybody really did well, and thankfully we were never really in trouble after the good start.

With a place booked in the semi-final of the National Cup DCU Mercy are now looking forward to getting back to the bread and butter of the league according to Ingle.

“I suppose it goes back to the old adage, take every game as it comes. We will concentrate on the league once again after these two cup games. We have Glanmire next week in the league and after that game we will know a lot more about ourselves and where we stand as a team.”

Meteors coach Eoin Chubb was disappointed with the way his side were beaten but is looking for a quick change in fortunes in the league now.

“We definitely wanted a good start but we began very flat for some reason. I’m not sure if it was that we were forty down already but once DCU got a good start it looked like the girls had taken it as a loss already. I wasn’t happy with that at all. We need to play with more character, get back to where we were at the start of the season when we went 3 and 0.

“Obviously you want to be in the Cup, but this will allow us focus on making the play-offs now. Sometimes being out of the Cup can put a downer on a team’s season but we have plenty of big games coming up and we will be concentrating on those now.”

Cashel were playing catch-up from the early stages against Old Wesley at Donnybrook last weekend

Wesley maintain top place Ail division Old Wesley Cashel  sport@dublingazette.com

33 12

Old Wesley secured a bonus point win and kept themselves clear of the chasing pack in the AIL after a comfortable home win against Cashel last weekend.

The first quarter of this match proved the importance of a reliable place kicker. Both teams were each awarded two kickable penalties. Cashel’s place kicker Dara O’Brien was wide with both, while Old Wesley’s place kicker Ian Cassidy was on the mark with both, albeit easier, kicks to take a 6-0 lead.

Old Wesley also had the better of the opening exchanges with their mobile back line regularly gaining territory.

Approaching the half hour mark a fine break by Old Wesley captain Alan Large brought play back into the Cashel 22. Wesley recycled a number of times and it was Large who eventually crossed for the first try of the match. Cassidy converted the straightforward kick.

Then just two minutes later a brilliant piece of individual play

by Namibian international JC Greyling saw him breach the opposition defence on half way and outpace a number of defenders to score in the

top of the world Roche shortlisted for FIFA goal of the year after a massive swell of national support, Stephanie Roche has been shortlisted for FIFA’s Puskas award following a worldwide poll, making her the firstever woman to reach the top three for the prestigious honour. Roche will now battle it out with Colombia’s James Rodriguez and Holland’s Robin van Persie in a new poll, and votes can be cast at fifa.com/puskas.

Picture: Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE

corner giving the home side a healthy 18-0 lead.

The visitors’ woes continued when they conceded a penalty for a high tackle, and just before half time, their out-half Ben Swindlehurst was yellow carded for a technical offence. Old Wesley kicked to the corner but were unable to control the ensuing line-out allowing the visitors to be saved by the half time whistle.

Wesley started the second half where they left off with their mobile back line more suited to the fast all-weather pitch.

Cassidy then extended the lead with a well-struck penalty from 4m.

But the Tipperary men were not giving up and

succeeded in bringing play into the Wesley 22.

Some good phases of play ensued resulting in a try in the corner by Ed Leamy, brother of former international Denis Leamy.

This spurred on the visitors and they looked as they might take the upper hand with some good carries and further visits to the Old Wesley 22. But Wesley’s defence held firm.

Then it was the home side’s turn for a sortie into the Munstermen’s defence. From a ruck on the 22 and quick recycled ball Large made a break down the blind side passing to Richie Jermyn who scored in the corner.

Cassidy converted from

the touchline to make it 28-5 and any threat of a Cashel comeback had evaporated. Wesley continued to encroach into the opposition 22 but were finding it difficult to make the final break.

Into the last 10 minutes the final result was in no doubt however it looked like it might be another comfortable win but no bonus point.

However, a loose Cashel pass was intercepted by Greyling who strolled over for possibly the easiest try he ever scored.

The visitors crossed for a late try by Swindlehurst but it was Old Wesley who celebrated the bonus point win.

11 December 2014 DUNDRUM gazette 31

Gazette

ready for the final St Vincent’s face Rhode in the Leinster decider

 sport@dublingazette.com

Club Noticeboard kilmacud crokes

IN ONE of the success stories of 2012, S

HUGH Gill of St Vincent’s and Rhode GAA

Congratulations to the minor B

ies and took defeat with the dignity

footballers who have won the cham-

you would expect from such a well-run

pionship after beating Castleknock.

star Pauric Sullivan were getting ready for this weekend’s AIB GAA Leinster senior football club championship final. The match takes place at 2pm on December 14 in Navan, and St Vincent’s will be looking to retain their provincial title against Offaly side.

Picture: Stephen McCarthy/ SPORTSFILE

football: late drama sees B’s claim top honour

team, whose manager’s Twitter feed

A misfiring minor B team took the

refers to winning being only a part of

game in the fifth minute of injury time

the objective. No doubt they will use

with a goal from a close-in free. Man-

the loss to good effect next year.

ager’s son, Pete Moloney, rifled the ball

Their results had suggested a team

into the net. Not for the first time, Pete

that won tight matches and Sunday’s

has scored this type of goal, but never

experience attested to this, where

in such conditions, two points down

the tactics of double marking Pete

and at the death of the game. Pete

at full forward and then employing a

openly attributes this skill to Mark

sweeper cut off the supply, but their

Peacocke’s mentoring over the years

doggedness in the tackle must have

when waterboy/mascot to Mark’s all-

contributed to the excessive Kilmacud

conquering junior team.

wide count.

Having won the U-16D championship,

Congratulations also to the minor

then losing last year’s minor C final to

camogie team who beat Raheny in

Raheny’s first team, this team made

their championship semi-final.

the decision that they wanted to win

Hard luck to the minor A football-

this year, so it was no surprise to their

ers who lost to Na Fianna in their final.

manager that they pulled it out of the

But the club can look to the success of

bag somehow.

fielding 60 young men for a champion-

Castleknock were worthy adversar-

ship Sunday.

ballyboden st enda’s

It proved a close battle throughout between Castleknock and Kilmacud Crokes. Picture: Steven Dagg

Mixed fortunes for Crokes’ minor sides

 sport@dublingazette.com

It was a weekend of mixed emotions for Kilmacud Crokes’ football section as their two minor sides tasted both success and defeat in their respective finals.

With both games taking place at O’Toole Park, it was their minor B side which were first up with a 10:30am throw-in in their Minor D football championship final. On a bitter bright morning in Crumlin, Crokes faced up against Castleknock in the early encounter.

It was ’Knock who got off to a better start, with

Richie McInerney breaking the deadlock after just two minutes from a free-kick. Crokes got off the mark around the 15th minute mark when Pete Maloney and Gavin McDermott registered two points in quick succession.

After a mix-up in the Kilmacud defence, Jamie Bradshaw assumed possession and struck the ball into the net to put Castleknock back in front.

McInerney and Jamie Holland added further scores to leave Crokes trailing 1-4 to 0-4 at the break.

The second half was

an even affair, with both sides trading points, leaving the score at 1-6 to 0-7 in Castleknock’s favour going into the closing stages. But with just seconds left on the clock, what can only be described as a piece of footballing genius occurred at the Crumlin venue.

Crokes were awarded a free kick 21 yards out, with Pete Maloney standing over the ball. As expected in the dying moments of a final, ’Knock packed out their goal-line, as well as having a man standing just in front of Maloney.

The Crokes man had more bottle than most

however, as he went for goal.

The ball took a slight nick off his closest marker, fizzed pass the opposition on the goal-line and went straight into top left-hand corner of the goal.

The final whistle came almost immediately after and Maloney, along with the other members of the Crokes Minor B side, left O’Toole park victorious.

Despite that success, Kilmacud’s A footballers could not make it a double championship winning day in their Minor A Championship Group 1 as they fell to a 2-9 to 1-6 defeat to Na Fianna.

Best of luck to our U-21 hurlers

There is a special offer for Bally-

who are playing in the county final

boden St Enda’s members.

against Lucan Sarsfields this week-

When you have bought your tree

ened in O’Toole Park. Best of luck to

from Feragal why don’t you pop

all the players and management.

a long to Ba llyb od e n S t Enda’s

There was no winner of this week’s

Christmas Santa Party this Satur-

Lotto draw. Winner of the weekly

day at 2.30pm. More information on

subscribers draw was Liam French

www.bodengaa.ie

from Firhouse.

For any information on Ballyboden

If you haven’t got your tree yet

St Enda’s log on to www.bodengaa.

for Christmas - visit Boden mem-

ie or follow us on Twitter or Face-

ber Fergal O’Neill on Whitehall Road.

book.

St Jude’s Hard luck to the minor camogie

camogie in St Jude’s has a very

team on their narrow defeat to

bright future.

Lucan in Sunday’s A final. The team

Lotto: The numbers drawn in this

put up a fantastic display in very

weeks lotto were 4,6,12 and 23. No

tough conditions with many out-

one matched all four and so the jack-

standing performances. Well done

pot of €12,700 rolls onto next week.

to all players and management on

Congratulations to Gareth Evans

a fantastic season. It is clear that

who matched three numbers.

naomh olaf On Friday night last at the Senior

to Larry, Kevin and Mick for all

football presentation night held

their hard work and commitment.

in the clubhouse the senior foot-

Shane Smith is taking over as the

ball management team of Larry

new team manager. Best of luck to

Kinsella, Kevin Birrane and Mick

Shane and the team.

Whyte announced that they were

Well done to the minor camogie

standing down after four years of

team who defeated Na Fianna in the

very successful management, the

shield semi-final, at home, on a very

highlight of which was winning the

cold Sunday morning.

Dublin intermediate championship in 2013.

The final score was Naomh Olaf 1-5, Na Fianna 0-1.

The team went on to reach the

The final against Castleknock will

Leinster final and were defeated

be played next Saturday at a venue

only after a replay. Sincere thanks

to be confirmed.

GazetteSPORT all of your dundrum sports coverage from page 27-31

soaring ahead: Old Wesley maintain place at top of their AIL league with victory over Cashel P30

DECember 11, 2014

shuttle service: World’s finest comes to Dublin for Irish Open P28

Ballyboden St Enda’s Stephen Hiney announced last week that he was retiring from the inter-county game after a distinguished career in sky blue

End of an era for Hiney Ballyboden St Enda’s and Dublin hurnling star calls time on intercounty career with Leinster honours among his many achievements  nathan kelly

sport@dublingazette.com

Ballyboden St Enda’s Stephen Hiney officially called time on his inter-county career last Thursday, ending a largely successful 13 year period with the Dublin hurling team.

Hiney, who won the Leinster title with the Dubs in 2013 with a win over Galway, was key to their hurling renaissance under Anthony Daly. He described playing for his county as a great honour, but does regret never reaching an All-Ireland final with the capital.

In his statement, the half-back said:

“Although we never managed to make the big day in September, Dublin hurling has changed dramatically from when I first joined the team. It would have been hard to imagine Dublin winning Leinster championship and National League titles 13 years ago.”

As well as those inter-county honours, Hiney has also collected senior county titles in both football and hurling with Ballyboden, but that Leinster Championship, as it should, holds special memories.

“The Leinster championship win was definitely the highlight of my career,” he said. “I was also lucky enough to have captained the team for a number of seasons which was a

huge honour for me.”

The 31-year-old battled through some serious injuries throughout his career, most notably an eye-injury at 22 which threatened to end his career at such a tender age.

He also missed Dublin’s league final win over Kilkenny in 2011 with a cruciate knee ligament injury which kept him sidelined for over a year. But the fighting spirit which he is renowned for saw him come back and play a key role in Dublin’s first Leinster title success since 1961.

Hiney had kind words for friends, family and his club in his retirement statement, as it read: “I would like to thank everyone who has supported me and made it possible

for me to play at this level for so long. Most importantly, I’d like to thank my wife Elaine, and my family who have supported me from the very beginning. I’d also like to thank my club, Ballyboden, for their support and contribution to my development as a player.”

Fellow Boden men Conal Keaney and Simon Lambert, who have been in battle with Hiney for club and county, took to Twitter, like many others, to pay tribute to their friend and team mate.

Keaney said: “Sad to see him go. What a man to play alongside #inspiration #friend.

While Lambert tweeted: “The man will be missed. Great man in the dressing room and even bigger man on the pitch.”