Lucan

Lucan GAZET TE FREE

JULY 19, 2012

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LUCAN • PALMERSTOWN • CELBRIDGE • LEIXLIP • ADAMSTOWN • DODSBORO • LIFFEY VALLEY • BALLYOWEN

INSIDE: Celebrating the opening of an innovative business centre P8-9

BLOOMING LOVELY: An Taoiseach adds to wishes for our local Rose P7

It’s kicking off: Having fun at a Sarsfields camp JORDAN Mason, Daniel Coogan,

Football: Fourteen man Pat’s undone by Cuala late on Page 31

Cathal Kavanagh and Alex Hanley had lots of fun at Lucan Sarsfields’ summer camp recently, with the visit by Dublin footballer Eoin O’Gara a real highlight. Eoin, and Dublin Senior hurler Johnny McCaffrey, talked about their experiences, with Eoin kicking off a motivational talk about playing in Croke Park. It was a great boost for the camp’s kids, who could be the stars of tomorrow.

Picture: Ian Fleming

Full Gallery on Page 2

Soccer: Lucan United pair called into Hibernia squad Page 30

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ......................8 BUSINESS .....................18 MOTORS ....................... 20 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ......... 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

Peamount needs a hospice – Keating Deputy seeks Health Minister’s support for facility

A HOSPICE unit would be a perfect fit at Peamount Hospital, a local TD has said.

With the hospital recently celebrating 100 years in operation, Fine Gael Deputy Derek Keating said that the evolution of the facility needed to continue, and the provision of a hospice unit would

be welcomed.

He has written to the Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly, to ask for his support, saying: “I write to you to seek your support in examining the development of a hospice facility which could be attached to Peamount Hospital, as the hospital has all the

resources, environment and medical personnel to meet such a need.”

Deputy Keating accepted that the development of a hospice is a long-term project, but hoped that putting the issue on the agenda would be a starting point.

Full Story on Page 6

2 LUCAN GAZETTE 19 July 2012

SPORT: ALL FORMER MEMBERS INVITED TO NORTH STAR’S EVENT

SPORT Eoin O’Gara calls to Sarsfields’ summer camp

Swimming club plans a great party for its 20th THE North Star Swimming Club will this year celebrate their 20th anniversary, having just finished their spring term, and are hoping to see some familiar faces at the celebrations.

The club was set up in 1992 to provide swimming lessons for people with disabilities living in north Kildare, and operates from the St Raphael’s swimming pool in Celbridge.

The club originally only catered for children and adults with spina bifida or cerebal palsy but, due to increasing demand, the club now endeavours to provide lessons and introduction to swimming to anyone with a disability, with members travelling from Dublin, Meath and Kildare.

Currently, there are 25 members, ranging in age from six to more than 50-years-old.

Initially, the club ran one session a week; however, due to increased demand, a second session was introduced in 2008.

The first session generally provides one-to-one support in the pool, ensuring members feel safe and comfortable in the water.

The aim is to help each member to reach their full potential and, above all, to have fun.

The second session is for more independent swimmers, aiming to develop the members’ stroke and water skills, to increase their stamina and to continue to grow their confidence in the water.

The North Star Swimming Club is unique in that it provides for the individual needs of each member.

The club is run by parents of swimmers and volunteers, and money

to fund the club mainly comes from fundraising, donations and a small annual membership fee.

The club also acts as an extended support network for parents, guardians and the family of members.

There is an important social aspect involved in the club for all who are associated.

There is an annual trip to the National Aquatic Centre in Blanchardstown, and the end of year dinner before the summer break is a favourite event.

These events are vitally important for the club, as they allow members, volunteers and families to socialise.

T h e vo l u n t e e ring nature of the club requires a commitment of at least two hours each Sunday afternoon during the school terms, and the club is keen to point out the supportive efforts of the volunteers.

Volunteers In addition, some volunteers help to organise and assist with fundraisers, the annual social events and try to raise the profile of the club. These volunteers are vital to the club’s existence.

To celebrate their 20th anniversary, the club are holding a celebratory get-together for members, past and present.

The club would be happy to hear from former members and helpers who would like to join the celebrations.

The party will take place in St Mary’s GAA Club, Leixlip, on Saturday, September 29, from 4pm.

Please contact Valerie at northstarswimmingclub@gmail.com before Saturday, September 1 to confirm bookings.

These players gave a great west Dublin welcome to the camp’s special visitors. Pictures: Ian Fleming

On the ball with a great welcome T HERE was lots of excitement at Lucan Sarsfields’ summer camp when Dublin footballer Eoin O’Gara came to visit. Together with Dublin Senior hurler Johnny McCaffrey, Eoin fielded lots of questions from the up-and-coming young sports players, who asked him about playing in Croke Park, as well as for any tips.

Johnny, too, was asked for plenty of advice, with the two sports players commending the enthusiastic campers on their great questions and gameplay. It was a great way to encourage the children to make the most of their summer camp, and to keep striving to be the best they could be, both on and off the field.

Jordan Mason, Daniel Coogan, Cathal Kavanagh and Alex Hanley

Johnny McCaffrey, Dublin Senior hurler and Eoin The children were very excited about the camp’s special guest

O’Gara, Dublin footballer answered lots of questions

Aisling Kavanagh, Aoife Whelan, Cora O’Toole, Rebecca Flanagan, Niamh Fitzpatrick and Georgia Maybarry

19 July 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 3

ENTERPRISE LINK centre’s rent-a-desk facility

An innovative approach to office working A BU S I N E S S t h a t claims to offer a “new concept in office space” was launched last week in Ballymount Business Park by the president of South Dublin Chamber of Commerce, Michael McBennett.

The LINK Business Centre is an innovative shared-office concept, where businesses can rent a desk in an openplan office.

The company says that the idea, which is lowcost, is designed for people who “want to grow their business”.

The aim of the business is to “create a community of small businesses, sole traders and start-ups that

is conducive to innovation, productivity, and collaboration so that customers can network, share knowledge and grow together”, with the concept gaining in popularity, particularly in the US and Britain.

The operators of the Ballymount office are confident that the Irish market will take to such an idea, particularly given the economic circumstances.

Lee Healion, managing director of the LINK Business Centre, said: “In this tough economic environment, entrepreneurs and small businesses are continually looking for ways to reduce their

costs, whilst at the same time trying to grow their business.

“Co-working in shared offices is a growing trend, where there are no capital outlays and no long-term lease commitments.”

The company sees one of the key benefits they can offer to businesses as access to the facilities of an office set-up, with all the equipment, wi-fi and benefits of premium office space, on a more flexible basis.

With prices starting at €55 per week, entrepreneurs and creative professionals who don’t have large funds can rent a fully-serviced desk in a shared office space with

Michael McBennett, president, South Dublin Chamber of Commerce, officially cuts the ribbon to open the LINK Business Centre in Ballymount

printers, photocopiers and meeting rooms.

Members can also avail of parking spaces and virtual office space.

The owners say that businesses can save up to 70% on leasing regular office space, with no hidden charges.

The LINK centre runs on a membership basis,

striving to provide a facility where members can work, meet and collaborate with other like-minded entrepreneurs, who also want to succeed by growing their businesses.

Members can also use a fully-equipped boardroom and meeting room, which can be booked by the hour or by the day.

Membership is also available to businesses whose main requirement is for training or mediation where meeting room facilities are needed.

For further information on the facility, see www. linkbc.ie, or call 01 489 6000.

See Gallery on Pages 8-9

WORKS

Footpath set to be repaired THE footpath between Lucan Garda station and Primrose Lane will be repaired, South Dublin County Council has said.

Councillor William Lavelle (FG) said: “Many local residents, in particular residents with reduced mobility and parents who walk the route with children and pushchairs, have expressed concerns to me that this area is unsafe for pedestrians.

“I received confirmation from council engineers that footpaths and kerbing will be replaced at this location before the end of August.”

This follows recent footpath works at Dodsboro, and commitments are in place for further footpath works to take place this year at Lucan Road, between Woodville and Ballydowd Grove, and in Lucan village, in the vicinity of the village green.

4 LUCAN GAZETTE 19 July 2012

SUPPORT

FACILITY Dublin Mid-West to benefit from €2bn package

LUCAN BUSINESS SHOP LOCALLY M

Minister Frances Fitzgerald welcomed the news

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New primary health care centre for area A NEW primary health centre for the Dublin Mid-West area is set to be built under a new Government plan announced this week.

The new health centre, based in Rowlagh in North Clondalkin, has been identified for development under the Government’s €2 billion Stimulus Plan, which aims to create more jobs through public infrastructure.

Local Fine Gael TD and Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, welcomed the announcement made

by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny.

She said: “Rowlagh Health Centre is a fantastic resource. However,

there have been maintenance problems in recent years.

“Under this new Stimulus Plan, Rowlagh could see improved facilities as well as the project bringing much-needed jobs in the construction area.”

The Government this week announced a €2.25 billion capital investment programme aimed at creating up to 13,000 jobs and stimulating economic growth. It will focus on projects that are “shovelready” in the health, education, transport and the justice sectors.

The programme will be funded by loans from the European Investment Bank, the National Pensions Reserve Fund,

domestic bank loans and other potential private investment sources.

The proposed development in Rowlagh is one of 35 primary care centres identified by the Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly.

Of these, 20 will be commissioned, subject to agreement between local GPs and the HSE on active local GP involvement in the centres.

The 20 will be offered to the market in bundles of 10. The remainder will be considered for later phases of the Public Private Partnership Programme.

Minister Fitzgerald said: “Developing the network of primary care Centres is

a key commitment in the Programme for Government.

“It was also a central plank of Fine Gael’s reform programme for the health service, which was developed in Opposition and is now being pursued in Government by Minister James Reilly and his colleague, Minister Roisin Shortall [Minister of State, Department of Health with responsibility for Primary Care].

“Primary care centres, like the new one to be provided in Rowlagh, will be the first point of contact for people who need to access health services in the years ahead.

“In a developed primary care system, as envisaged

by the Government, up to 95% of people’s day-today health and social care needs can be provided in a community setting,” said Minister Fitzgerald.

“A focus on primary care not only benefits patients, it will also benefit the taxpayer. By allowing patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, stroke and asthma, to be treated near or at their homes, we can save the health service millions of euro by preventing hospital stays.

“I look forward to the development of the new primary care centre in Rowlagh, and to seeing the benefits it brings the local community,” she said.

Mortgage arrears move welcomed NEW Government guidelines will help people with local authority mortgage arrears, Deputy Joanna Tuffy (Lab) has claimed.

Deputy Tuffy this week welcomed news from Jan O’Sullivan, Minister of State for the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, that her department is to publish new revised guidelines on local authority mortgage arrears.

These new guidelines will provide similar options recently

offered from the Central Bank to private sector lenders, and will see the creation of a standardised and clearly defined Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP), which will be rolled out across all local authority areas across the country.

The Central Bank’s Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) has set out the framework that lenders must use when dealing with borrowers in mortgage arrears or in pre-arrears.

Under the CCMA, lenders

must operate a MARP when dealing with arrears and prearrears customers.

Deputy Tuffy said that the move would help those with local authority mortgages.

“I am very pleased that in publishing these guidelines, Minister O’Sullivan has recognised the need to ensure householders with local authority mortgages are protected in a similar way to those with private bank and building society mortgages, in the event that they go into

arrears.

“The need for this kind of protection was brought to my attention in the course of my constituency work, as a number of people in my constituency have home loans from the local authority.

“I had raised the issue in parliamentary questions to the minister [O’Sullivan] over the past few weeks, and am delighted with the minister’s decision to put in place these revised guidelines,” she said.

19 July 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 5

COUNCIL

PLANNING: SUBMISSIONS ARE INVITED ON DRAFT LOCAL AREA PLAN

Celebrate volunteer workers

Have your say on Newcastle plan THE draft Local Area Plan (LAP) for Newcastle has gone on display.

An environmental report has been prepared as part of a strategic environmental assessment of the proposed LAP. The proposed LAP has undergone appropriate assessment screening under the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC).

The public consultation will take place from now until 4pm on Monday, September 3.

The proposed LAP and environmental reports can be viewed on the council’s website at www. southdublin.ie, and can also be viewed at County Library and County Hall, Tallaght, and at the Civic Offices, Clondalkin, during normal opening hours [excluding public holidays].

Council staff will be available to answer queries at St Finian’s Community Centre, Main Street, New-

castle on Wednesday, July 25 from 10am to 4pm; on Tuesday, August 7, from 4pm to 7pm; on Thursday, August 16 from 1pm to 4pm, and on Monday, August 20 from 4pm to 7pm.

Council staff will also be available to answer general queries on the proposed LAP every Wednesday afternoon between 2pm to 4pm at County Hall, Tallaght, during the public consultation period.

Submissions and observations on the proposed LAP and the environmental report can be made in writing from now until 4pm on Monday, September 3.

Submissions and observations should state name, address, and where relevant, the body represented. All comments, including the names and addresses of those making the comments, submitted to the council in regard to this development will

form part of the statutorily required report to be presented to the monthly meeting of South Dublin County Council.

As such, they will also be included in the minutes of that meeting, which will appear on the council’s website.

Only submissions received by 4pm on Monday, September 3 and addressed properly can be accepted.

Submissions cannot be accepted in any other format, or to any other email or postal address.

They can only be sent by email to devplan@ sdublincoco.ie or by post to Administrative Officer, Planning Department, South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24.

If you have further questions on the proposed LAP, telephone 01 414 9000, or you can also email cccounter@sdublincoco.ie.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESS SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

LucanGazette CALL US ON 60 10 240

Battling it out in a tuft match: Cuala mow down St Pat’s in a league game COLM Driver, of St Pat’s Palmerstown, sank his feet into the freshly-

cut large tufts of grass at Glenauline Park in a momentary break during their league game against Cuala. Despite their valiant efforts, his team fell to Cuala, who came back from being eight points down at half time to mow through St Pat’s and seize their victory.

See full Match Report on Page 31

SOUTH Dublin County Council is looking to recognise the contribution the community and voluntary sector makes to the quality of life in local communities.

The South Dublin Community Awards and Beautiful South Dublin County Awards seek applications from groups who are active in their community, and which are well-managed or support and encourage volunteerism.

Application forms are available from www.sdcc. ie, and should be returned to Bernadette Kaluzny, South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24, or via email to bkaluzny@sdublincoco.ie. The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, August 10.

FULL OF GREAT DANES

Copenhagen made quite a splash with a first-time visitor, thanks to its accessibility, friendly people, history and easygoing charms – and colourful kayaks. Turn to our great Danish guide...

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6 LUCAN GAZETTE 19 July 2012

TRAVEL, PAGES 22-23

PEAMOUNT: HAROLD’S CROSS SERVICE TOO FAR AWAY FOR US, SAYS TD

Keating calls for hospice unit at hospital A HOSPICE unit would be a perfect fit at Peamount Hospital, a local TD has said.

With the hospital recently celebrating 100 years in operation, Fine Gael TD Derek Keating said that the evolution of the facility needed to continue.

He said: “Peamount Hospital is located on 500 acres between Lucan and Newcastle, which is held in trust by the hospital board, and I believe that this hospital should be expanded.

“The developments in West Dublin, with the increase in population which is evident by the [growing numbers] in the schools in Rathcoole, Saggart and Newcastle, and with the added town of Adamstown, [suggest that] Peamount should be considered as an independent hospital, developed to meet the needs of the West Dublin citizens and, perhaps, with a hospice unit attached.

“This would be a fitting contribution to our area and a testament to Lady Aberdeen,” said Deputy Keating, in reference to Peamount’s founder.

Deputy Keating has written to the Minister of Health, Dr James Reilly,

asking for his support for such a move, and pointing out that Our Lady’s Hospice in Harold’s Cross was too far away from the towns in the Dublin MidWest region.

His letter to Minister Reilly states: “I write to you to seek your support in examining the development of a hospice facility which could be attached to Peamount Hospital, as the hospital has all of the resources, environment and medical personnel to meet such a need.

“Palliative care, home care and end of life care are services that are offered from Our Lady’s Hospice in Harold’s Cross and, recently, Our Lady’s Hospice has stated publicly that 20% of its services are available but not opened because of the lack of funding.”

Deputy Keating accepted that the development of a hospice is a long-term project, but hoped that putting the issue on the agenda would be a starting point.

He said: “Although this is not going to happen in the short-term, I believe that, one day, it will, because of the need to expand our services and because of the expertise that is at Peamount.”

Lining up: Helping to promote a fun family festival with animation, films and more LUCAN native and RTE presenter Diana Bunici was

joined by the Hugglemonsters – the hurling team from Monster Animation’s Ballyradan – and young festivalgoers at the launch of the 2012 IFI Family Festival, which concluded recently at the city-centre cinema. The festival

presented some of the best family films from around the world, and included an Irish animation trail, sci-fi modelmaking workshops, and a panel of young film reviewers, who presented their critiques of many films. It was another great family festival to celebrate in Dublin.

Lucanians face 50km challenge for charity A PAIR of Lucanians are leading the way for all those looking for a rewarding challenge that, in turn, helps others.

Neasa and James O’Rourke are taking on the Oxfam TrailTrekker 50km challenge in September, and Neasa said that the money raised will make a huge difference to people in Africa.

She said: “The money raised will make a real difference to people’s lives, people who we will never know, but whose lives we have changed

for the better, all thanks to the generosity of our friends and families.

“For this, all those blisters, aches and pains will have been worth it.”

Oxfam Ireland is now looking for more teams from Dublin to join their TrailTrekker 2012 event – a non-stop 50km/100km team challenge that aims to raise thousands of euro to support Oxfam’s work in East, Central and Southern Africa.

From complete novices to seasoned hill-walkers and adventure-race par-

ticipants, teams of two and four people will take on a course that winds its way through the Mourne Mountains to Carlingford on the weekend of September 1 and 2.

Each team has the option of completing a distance of 50km or 100km.

100km Teams competing in the 50km event will be expected to complete the distance in less than 16 hours, and those registered for the 100km dis-

tance will be expected to finish in under 36 hours.

Teams of four must commit to raising €2,000 – the equivalent of providing temporary shelter for 20 families in an emergency, while teams of two will commit to raising €1,000 – the amount needed to provide an irrigation scheme that supplies safe drinking water to 1,000 people.

Oxfam Ireland’s TrailTrekker is part of a growing worldwide campaign that will see the holding

of 15 events in 12 countries.

Supported by global sponsor, State Street Corporation, the Oxfam TrailTrekker and Trailwalker events are a unique fundraising effort that support Oxfam’s mission to empower individuals, communities and organisations to create a future that is secure, just and free from poverty.

For further information about signing up for TrailTrekker 2012, call 01 635 0403, or see www. oxfamireland.org/trek.

19 July 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 7

PEOPLE Arlene hopes for success in Tralee festival

Help send our local Rose to a blooming win I PAUL HOSFORD

phosford@gazettegroup.com

BEING a scientist, a runner and a soldier would be enough to fill most people’s days.

However, for Lucan girl Arlene O’Neill these professions and pastimes just weren’t enough, and she has been named the Dublin Rose ahead of this year’s Rose of Tralee festival.

Arlene will be looking to become the sixth Dublin Rose to be crowned Rose of Tralee when she takes to the stage in The Dome this August.

Arlene entered the International Rose of Tralee competition after

becoming the capital’s Dublin Rose at an event held in the Carlton Hotel, Blanchardstown, in April this year.

There, she topped the field of 54 entrants to become the Dublin Rose.

Arlene will start the 10-day road tour for the Rose of Tralee on August 13, and will be flying the flag for Dublin from August 17 to 21, when the contest officially begins in Kerry.

She says excitement is mounting for the big day, and that “there are too many things to look forward to” in the run up to the run-off.

The 25-year-old lives in Lucan with her mother,

Denise, and her brother, Stephen.

She attended Leixlip’s Confey College, before going on to DCU, where she completed a degree in applied physics.

She then began work on her PhD in Trinity College, where she works on two-dimensional nanomaterials.

Arelene says: “I have always been extremely passionate about communicating science, specifically physics and nanoscience.

“I liaise with local schools and give talks, demonstrations, and judge competitions, and have worked on a DVD that was distributed to

Local Fine Gael Deputy Derek Keating brought Lucan girl, Arlene O’Neill, on a personal tour of Dail Eireann, where they met An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, who joined the deputy in wishing her the best of luck at the Rose of Tralee contest

all Transition Year classes in Ireland on the topic of nanoscience.”

Last year, she met Queen Elizabeth II after Arlene was selected for the honour by the Provost of Trinity, Dr Patrick Prendergast, and she presented the Queen with a nanoscience DVD. Alongside all of her other commitments,

Arlene is also a member of the Reserve Defence Forces, and is a training instructor, who holds the rank of corporal.

Despite being in the international competition, Arlene was unable to find a sponsor, so local Fine Gael TD Derek Keating, and local counselling group Aspen stepped in and will host a send-off

for Arlene in The Lord Lucan pub.

The event will take place on Saturday, July 21, at 8.30pm, and entry is €5. There will be live music and raffles, and Deputy Keating is hoping that locals come to support their Rose.

He said: “I am not surprised she won. She is so engaging and positive.”

COUNCIL

Routes survey aid is sought SOUTH Dublin County Council are proposing a walking and cycling link in the Fforster area to provide access for residents to local centres and other facilities, and are asking locals to take part in a feasibility survey.

A number of walking and cycling routes to serve local communities throughout the county are proposed, to create more sustainable local neighbourhoods, with direct links to schools, work, leisure facilities, public transport and nearby shops.

The council feels that increased numbers of households within walking and cycling distance of local facilities encourages walking and cycling, and decreases car use.

It is also felt that the increased number of users will improve the safety of routes and discourage anti-social behaviour. The survey can be accessed at www.sdcc.ie.

8 LUCAN GAZETTE 19 July 2012

ENTERPRISE An ‘instant office’ is launched in Ballymount to

Michael McBennett, president, South Dublin Chamber of Commerce officially cuts the ribbon

Carmel Daly, Olivia Farrell and Micheal Dunne. Pictures: Peter Doyle

An innovative way to support business N INNOVATIVE shared office facility, the LINK Business Centre, was officially launched at G1 Calmount Park, Ballymount by the president of South Dublin Chamber of Commerce, Michael McBennett.

Lee Healion, managing director, the LINK Business Centre, said: “In

A

Peter Ashe-Browne

this tough economic environment, entrepreneurs and small businesses are continually looking for ways to reduce their costs, whilst at the same time trying to grow their business.

Co-working in shared offices is a growing trend.”

The centre offers an instant office

Peter Byrne, Michael McBennett and Eugene Bent

Derek Jennings and Ray Phillips

set-up, with all the equipment, wi-fi and benefits of premium office space, but on a far more affordable, flexible and transparent basis, where you can rent a desk, in an open-plan office, for as little as €55 a week.

For further information on the centre, see www.linkbc.ie.

Sheamus Cody

Gareth Nolan and Diana Healion

19 July 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 9

help entrepreneurs and small business ventures grow

Niall Rynne

John Feehan and Hugh Bagnall

Rene Synott-Partas and Emma Kennedy

Dudley Phillips and Dave Tom Doddy

Michael McBennett spoke of the importance of new opportunities to help support and promote business, and congratulated LINK on its innovative approach

The brand-new centre, ready to support small businesses

Marc Thornton, DTA Marketing; Lee Healion, managing director, LINK and Bob Flynn, iCommunity.ie

10 LUCAN GAZETTE 19 July 2012

SHOW Enjoying Ireland’s first eBay.ie fashion show

Conor Clinch and Lisa Byrne

Emily Cramp and Lauren Wilkinson

Caitriona Flood

Gavin Norton and Trevor Mulhare

Aine O’Hara and Lisa McKee

A feast of fashion at finale of event HE eBay.ie Online Fashion Show took place at the Smock Alley Theatre, as part of the finale of eBay.ie Online Fashion Week.

Over 300 of Ireland’s top fashionistas attended the show.

T

Cynthia Baloula

Presenter and fashion guru Darren Kennedy hosted the show and four stylists were given three themes to style their looks around and a set budget to use on eBay.ie.

Gavin Norton, Leanne Woodfull, Roisin Flanagan and Laura O’Brien

Deirdre Wallace and Sinead Durnin

were eBay.ie’s super styling stars and showed their creativity on the catwalk.

The event was Ireland’s first eBay. ie fashion show and with the great success it enjoyed, it is sure to be back bigger and better in 2013.

Melanie McCabe and Aislinn Dunne

Leanne Woodfull

Elaine Foss and Olya Khimchenko

19 July 2012 GAZETTE 11

12 GAZETTE 19 July 2012

ENTERTAINMENT Busy man Keith Barry

‘We need wonder life – I try to bring I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

news@gazettegroup.com

KEITH Barry is a busy man these days. Not only has he a new show at the Olympia theatre, he is also writing a book, helping people to overcome their phobias on television, motivating some of the Irish Olympic squad and has just finished consultancy work as chief mentalist on the set of a new Hollywood film.

Keith returned to the Olympia this month with his new show, 8 Deadly Sins, which goes on throughout July.

“T he show really makes people laugh.

Fifty people end up on the stage by the end of it. I do this lottery thing to highlight greed and various other parts of the act are about the other deadly sins. It’s hilarious and different every night.

Damage

Keith Barry has returned to the Olympia this month with his new show 8 Deadly Sins, which continues on throughout July

“I also show how psychics do damage and how easy it is to con people. Most people don’t realise the damage psychics have done throughout history, Hitler and Stalin used them and they changed the course of history. Even nowadays, they are used: – the Bush administration used psychics, too.”

The main thrust of the show, however is to re-introduce a sense of wonder and magic into people’s lives.

“We need makebelieve and wonder in life, and I try to bring that back for people.

My shows allow them to escape from their lives and all their stresses and worries.”

Keith’s magical journey began in Waterford where he was born and raised, and has been performing magic for around 30 years now.

“I’d been doing magic

since the age of six and began gigging not long after that at parties.”

He moved to Dublin to study chemistry at 18 and met his wife who was reading psychology.

That’s where the idea of mixing mesmerism and science took hold. After graduating with distinction, Keith worked as a scientist for a cosmetic company in Dublin for a number of years.

Journey

“I was making women’s make-up, but I got fed up with science in general after working at it for two-and-a-half years. I wouldn’t have changed the journey I went on, though. A lot of young magicians don’t go to college or have day jobs, and I think they miss out because of that.”

The moniker of chief mentalist is not one most mortals get to enjoy, but Keith had this strange title for his consultancy work on the upcoming heist film, Now You See Me, which comes out in January next year.

“The film is about mentalists who use their skills to pull off a huge heist. It’s like Ocean’s 12 but instead of guns, these guys use their minds. It was a great experience.

I spent two weeks working with screenwriter Ed Solomon, assisting him as he rewrote the script.

We worked for 12 hours a day.”

The stars of the film, Woody Harrelson, Morgan Freeman, Mark Ruffalo and Jesse Eisenberg, also availed of Keith’s expertise.

“I was kept on particularly to help Woody Harrelson. First, we Skyped and then I went to Los Angeles and New Orleans with him and the film crew to help him make his mentalist character believable.

He really learned it

19 July 2012 GAZETTE 13

on books, Hollywood movies and taking the stage

and makebelieve in that back’ well, he’s a true method actor.”

Keith was rewarded with a cameo in the film as a French tourist, and even had a line of dialogue. “They’ll probably dub over me,” he laughed.

He is in the preparatory stages of writing a book about probing the subconscious mind and “restructuring or programming your mind to achieve anything. I wanted to headline at Vegas and I achieved that ambition through a system I came up with.

It’s scientific and anyone can use it.”

He is looking for a ghost-writer to assist with the book as he admits

he’s no writer himself.

Yet, he insists that every word in it will come from his mind. “It will take a lot of time and energy to create as there’s so much information to go into it, so it won’t be available too soon.”

Healer

More recently, Keith has been appearing as a healer of sorts as he helps people to overcome their phobias and fears on TV3’s Ireland AM show. He said this side of his work is not new.

“I’ve been doing it quietly for years for no charge, just for friends.

Nobody knew about it until recently, so it was a

surprise for people. I’ve always loved anything to do with psychology and I get great satisfaction from helping people.

I do intend to open a consultancy clinic next year, but won’t work in it every day as that would be too draining.”

Since curing many volunteers’ phobias on the morning TV show, Keith has been inundated with interest from professional psychotherapists.

Unorthodox

“I’ve had so many emails about it from hypnotherapists, asking what my methods are. But it’s a very personal thing and my style

is quite unorthodox. ox. I can’t explain it except cept to say that you need d to have serious confidence nce in your ability to do o it.

You have to know it’s going to work, it’s t’s kind of like a placebo bo effect.”

Keith would like to o meet with the profes-sionals and exchangee ideas at some stage.

“I don’t even know if there is a hypnotherapy organisation of Ireland but I would be interested in that kind d of setting and we could ould meet.”

A s K e i t h d o e s n ’t carry out private consultations he will give a short talk from the

stage at the end of each night at The Olympia. Tickets for 8 Deadly Sins are priced at €29.50 and €30.50 including booking fee.

T h e s h o w continues on at the Olympia throughout July and you can buy tickets online at www.ticketmaster.ie

SECURITY Debate in Dail over concerts THE recent violence and tragic deaths ensuing from a cconcert in the Phoenix Park last week sparked a Pa debate on security for d such events in the Dail. su Fine Gael Dublin Mid West representative M Derek Keating TD called De for airport-style security checks to be introduced ch at large concerts.

“The trouble that broke out at last Saturday’s conou cert in the Phoenix Park ce must never be allowed mu to happen again. Widespread public order, sp extreme violence and disex turbing levels of drinking tur and drug-taking cannot an be tolerated,” said Deputy Keating.

Ke He went on to suggest that new security measth ures be compulsory for ur all “high-risk” concerts.

“If, following a risk assess“If ment, there are concerns me that there may be an th increased risk of violence, then airport-style security checks should be mandatory.”

14 GAZETTE 19 July 2012

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Advertising Sales: 01 6010240 email: sales@gazettegroup.com Gazette Group Newspapers Ltd. Terms and Conditions for acceptance of advertisements Reserve the right to omit or suspend or alter any advertisement(s) in any of its publications. We also decline any responsibility in the event of one or more of a series of advertisements being omitted for any reason whatever, nor do we accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement. If your advertisement appears incorrectly, contact the Advertising Department immediately, as responsibility cannot be accepted for more than one week’s incorrect insertion. Responsibility cannot be accepted if the complaint is made more than two weeks after insertion. If one places an advertisement for more than one week and then cancels it after the first week, no refund or credit will be given for weeks cancelled. The advertiser undertakes to indemnify the Proprietors against any liability for any civil action arising out of the publication of the advertisement or any other matter printed or published in the Blanchardstown Gazette, Castleknock Gazette, Clondalkin Gazette, Dundrum Gazette, Dun Laoghaire Gazette, Lucan Gazette, Malahide Gazette and Swords Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.

Hollywood starlet Mischa Barton with iconic TV soap star Anne Charleston for the Irish stage version of Steel Magnolias

Mischa takes the stage at the Gaiety HOLLYWOOD starlet Mischa Barton is making her Irish stage debut as she joins forces with iconic TV soap star Anne Charleston for the Irish stage version of Steel Magnolias.

Anne, who is better known as Madge in Neighbours, was in Dublin with Mischa for the launch of the show in the Gaiety Theatre, which will tour countrywide, from September 2012. The show is based on the 1989 film with Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, and Julia Roberts. It tells the story of pretty young Shelby Eatenton, to be played here by Mischa Barton – a diabetic, who, following her fairytale wedding, risks pregnancy and her life by having a baby.

Twenty-six-year old Mischa who was born in London to an Irish mum, Nuala Quinn, is delighted to be performing on stage in Ireland for the first time in her career.

Tickets are priced from €20 and will be available from Ticketmaster and www.steelmagnolias.ie

A chance to release your inner thespian THE National Theatre School of Ireland is giving you the chance to release your inner

DIARY thespian in the coming weeks then they host a series of film, TV and radio workshops at the Gaiety School of Acting on Essex Street West in the old quarter of Temple Bar. The school will host a radio presentation workshop on July 21, a TV presentation workshop on July 28 and a casting and audition workshop on August 11.

These courses are to be taught by experts in each relevant field, including well-known TV and radio personalities, Bill Hughes and Chris Donoghue, and renowned casting directors Maureen Hughes and Gillian Reynolds.

These workshops will be specially tailored to people looking to enhance their skills in these specific areas, but beginners are also welcome.

Patrick Sutton, director of the Gaiety School of Acting said: “We are delighted to have acquired the amazing talents of Bill, Chris, Gillian and Maureen to help deliver these interesting new workshops.”

See www.gaietyschool.com for more information.

Brussels sprouting green over launch BRUSSELS was sprouting green last week when Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar addressed members of the Irish diaspora at the launch of The Gathering.

At the launch, the Minister invited the thousands of Irish people living and working throughout Europe to get involved in The Gathering Ireland 2013, a year-long festival celebrating the Irish diaspora next year.

Get involved

Minister Varadkar called on expatriates to get involved and organise their own Gathering events within Ireland next year.

Speaking to the assembled expatriates, he said: “Next year, we will celebrate everything that is best about Ireland, right across the country, and we want the world to join in.

“I am asking everyone to get involved in The Gathering and do something unique and positive for our country. As well as visiting Ireland, I would ask you to plan your own Gatherings of family, friends or colleagues.”

19 July 2012 GAZETTE 15

FAMILY Snowflakes Autism Support launch

Get healthy meals right to your door

Charity targets families hit by autism I PAUL HOSFORD

A NEW charity aimed at helping families affected by autism in the Fingal area was launched with great fanfare this week.

Snowflakes Autism Support was officially launched at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry by the Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly, and the new Mayor of Fingal, Cian O’Callaghan (Lab).

Popular TV presenter Martin King was named as the group’s patron.

The TV3 weatherman was in fine form as he announced his support for this worthy cause.

Snowflakes Autism Support was set up in January of this year by a group of parents for families affected by autism in the north Dublin and Fingal areas.

The group has grown over the months and what started off as just a handful of families, has grown into a support group with over 120 families from all over Dublin.

Their aim is to organise events for children

with Autism Spectrum Disorder, their parents and their siblings. They will also be looking to provide whatever support they can to parents, preand post-diagnosis.

The name Snowflakes was chosen for the group because “children with autism are like snowflakes – they are beautiful, each one is uniquely different and they are liable to meltdown at any time,” say the group.

S n ow f l a ke s h ave attracted approximately 120 members, and the number is growing daily.

One of the key facets of the group is support.

From swapping stories and sharing an understanding of the needs of children with autism, members have gained an abundance of support and comfort from being involved with the organisation.

Events enjoyed by the whole family, such as visits to the zoo or to a bowling alley, have also been a huge success. The feedback from parents

SERVICE: COST-FRIENDLY MEALS-ON-WHEELS

I LAURA WEBB

lwebb@gazettegroup.com

Snowflakes Autism Support chairman Robert Brown and Jo Jordan from Dublin Housewives

A SOUTH Dublin-based company is offering the greater Dublin area a high-quality, nutritious and cost-friendly mealson-wheels service that comes frozen, direct to your door, so clients can eat whenever it suits them.

Chef Direct, the trading name of Healthcare Food Solutions, is becoming a household name among residents in need of a meals-onwheels service. With fully trained chefs among their workforce, the Nutgrovebased company uses the finest ingredients which are quality assured by Bord Bia and the vegetables sourced from Irish farmers.

Quality

Health Minister Dr James Reilly, Fingal Mayor Cian O’Callaghan (Lab), Eithne Brown and Martin King, TV3 weatherman

from these events has been very positive, and more outings are planned throughout the year.

Snowflakes also run practical workshops for parents to assist them in their child’s development, the first of which was a presentation of the Grace app for Autism by software developer, Lisa Domican.

The Grace App for Autism for iPhone and iPad helps autistic and other special needs children to communicate effectively, by building semantic sequences from relevant images to form sentences. The app can be easily customised by using picture and photo vocabulary of your choice.

These workshops will continue over the coming months.

The launch served as confirmation that, in their short existence, the group has brought much needed hope and positivity into the lives of families affected by autism.

For more information, visit www.snowflakes.ie or call 01 5241544.

The company says the quality of its food makes it different from similar services: “Our meals are delivered frozen, which is the safest way. Others deliver tepid food and if you don’t answer the door, it could be left outside.

“We have a telesales team in place to ring you – if you are not there, we don’t deliver until you are. If your daughter, son or carer is there, we can give it to them and it goes straight into your freezer. When you want to eat it, you take it

out of the freezer, pop it into your microwave for 12 minutes – the food is safe and tastes good,” Chef Direct CEO Paul Kavanagh said.

“All our meals carry full nutritional values, calorie counts and protein. We deliver seven days a week, unlike some services who are delivering three, four or five days,” he continued.

Standard

According to Paul, there is no standard cost for meal services in hospitals, with reports that some pay almost €41 per meal, while others say it is just €2 per meal, which he says needs to change.

“There is a huge imbalance there. If you have a €2 meal, obviously, there is no nutrition in it, whereas we have full nutritional on all our produce. I am shocked how much it is costing the HSE. The solution is sitting right under their nose – we cost €5.50 per meal.

“Volume is not a problem. Our plant is 18,000sq ft, so we could look after the whole of Dublin if they asked. We would like to provide the meals-on-wheels service for these people,” said Paul.

Contact Chef Direct on 01 491 6262 for further information, or log on to www.chefdirect.ie.

16 GAZETTE 19 July 2012

GazetteMUSIC MUSIC FastTunes with Radio Nova’s Dee Woods DAVE Grohl’s CV just keeps getting longer.

He’s the drummer who kept Nirvana’s beat for four years, and following Kurt Cobain’s passing in 1994, he didn’t let the rock die, founding the Foo Fighters that same year.

The Foos have gone on to record seven hit albums and win numerous awards, including five Grammys this year alone. Their latest album, Wasting Light, earned them Album of the Year and Best Rock Album at the iconic American industry awards last February.

Well-deserved when you consider the album was recorded in Grohl’s garage on real analog tapes because he feels music is meant to be made by musicians, not computers. And if you think shunning computers to get work done wouldn’t take up enough time, Grohl’s also been involved in other rock groups like Them Crooked Vultures and Queens of the Stone Age, as well as cropping up as a session musician on albums by the likes of Slash, Tom Petty and Nine Inch Nails. Does this guy sleep?

NME called him a god-like genius but he comes across as the salt of the earth in interviews and a guy who really is just all about the music.

Last year he stopped a Foos’ concert in London, mid-song, to kick out a fan who was causing trouble in the crowd, telling him “you don’t come to my show and fight you come to my show and...dance!”.

Little wonder really that they’re queuing up to honour Dave Grohl. And he can now add giant artwork and a street named in his honour to his list of accolades.

His hometown of Warren, Ohio will soon be home to a 400kg sculpture of two massive drumsticks on Dave Grohl Alley. You know you’ve made it when you’ve inspired a giant piece of artwork in your home town.

I’m expecting a giant sofa in Portmarnock any day now...

Dave Grohl was saluted by his hometown

Light it up: Local band HyperGiants release new single BLANCHARDSTOWN threepiece, HyperGiants, whose first single Lost Souls soared to the top of the iTunes rock charts, release their much-anticipated follow-up, Halogen, in The Grand Social on July 20.

The band, Laura Walsh, John Lynch and Jonathon Savino, have been hard at work on their debut album and the performance of Lost Souls has whet the appetite of the public for this exciting band.

REVIEW: AN ALBUM THAT SINGLEHANDEDLY REINVENTS SOUL

An Ocean apart as Frank plots the future I ROB HEIGH

THERE must be something in the water - does not compute. The summer continues to limp on through the downpour. and, simultaneously, the rain of fantastic new releases continues ubabated.

The latest, and possibly best and most enduring of the albums that have landed lately, is Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange, which was released on digital download a week ahead of schedule to combat what was expected to be a slew of piracy.

If I were of that persuasion, I would have my eyepatch on and parrot on my shoulder, as this release from the Odd Future alumni is easily one of the finest R&B releases this century so far.

Ocean, whose name sounds like he should be headlining the Sands with the Rat Pack, has a smooth and silky flow and a lyrical mastery that already has the pedigree of contributing and cowriting two of the standout tracks on Watch The Throne, No Church In The Wild and Made In

Frank Ocean’s first album proper maintains the high standard set by his Nostalgia Ultra mixtape

America.

T here is a vision and empathy that goes beyond the usual tired and lame R&B mores, both lyrically and musically, that puts Ocean on a pedestal in a different galaxy to his peers.

It’s not every R&B act who paints a picture of decay and sadness associated with crack addiction, while simultaneously holding a mirror up to his peers who exist as Super Rich Kids, and sees the inherent vacuousness and waste of both existences.

Ocean has been fighting a legal battle with The Eagles after “co-opting” some aspects - well, actually, the entire melody of Hotel California on his highly acclaimed mixtape earlier in 2011, Nostalgia Ultra, but here, his plundering of pop culture for the foundations of his sound and style are more subtle, and their integration into the musical tapestry of this record show an innate understanding of everything that makes the genre influential and important.

The Stevie Wonder

rolling, stoned melodies of Sweet Life, the nod to Elton John on the aforementioned Super Rich Kids, and the multifaceted Prince homage in Pyramids - flipping through a suite of styles, from pre-Purple Rain era electro-funk all the way to an expressive guitar solo show Ocean’s knowledge and assimilation of the best aspects of the culture’s touchstones.

But in the lyrical content, Ocean draws on Marvin Gaye’s finest moments, showing him to be a young artist able to

look into the milieu and skewer the issues of the day with his own unique vision and wordplay.

There is such a level of imagination, as well as the integration of so many genres and ideas in the 50 minutes Channel Ultra takes to play out, it may be that Frank Ocean will be responsible for the reinvention of soul music for the 21st century.

There is set to be an unholy battle for the top five releases of the year.

Part of that future will undoubtedly be Ocean’s Orange.

19 July 2012 GAZETTE 17

GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY

Edited by Laura Webb

Getting organic with natural cosmetics from Dr Haushka THE brand is known for its amazing skin care range but now Dr Hauschka has launched its latest line of organic and natural cosmetics.

Foundations, lipsticks, powders, eyeliners and eye shadows are some of the new range available by the skin care experts.

For anyone used to using the skin care range, you will be happy to know the cosmetic range has that great scent of its skin care range.

The make-up range is made from mineral pigments and organic extracts that help to provide long-lasting colour and deliver a healthy-

looking radiant glow.

These mineral cosmetics are suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

Foundations, tinted moisturisers and bronzers help create a flawless complexion.

Beneficial

The organic lipsticks, lip glosses and lip liners are lead-free, petroleumfree and are made only with natural ingredients containing beneficial plant nutrients that help soften and hydrate lips while adding great colour.

International make-up artist for Dr Hauschka

Skin Care, Karim Sattar said the great make-up range is entirely based on natural formulations and is “incredibly easy to apply”.

“They literally become like a soft veil, or better, a second skin and blend fantastically into one’s skin tone and texture.

Dr Hauschka is also a natural step in both my professional and personal development. I am delighted that the company wants to have me on board and I hope to contribute my expertise in many different ways,” he said.

Karim recently joined Dr Hauschka’s crea-

A little bit of pampering

Inner Glow - Limited Edition Lipstick (top), Eyeshadow Palette Stone Colour (left) Collection and Eyeshadow Solo 02 from Dr Haushka

tive team of decorative cosmetics experts. He is involved in developing new decorative looks for the natural and organic cosmetics brand, and is set to hold make-up training sessions worldwide.

Dr Hauschka’s cosmetic range has gained serious attention from make-

up artists and Hollywood’s blockbusters and TV shows. The products have been used on the set of Twilight’s Breaking Dawn, Black Swan, Wall Street 2, Something Borrowed, The Devil Wears Prada and The Women and shows such as Gossip Girl, Grey’s Anatomy, Sex and the City and

Desperate Housewives.

Dr Hauschka Decorative Range is priced at €15-€35 and is stocked in selected health stores pharmacies, all Life Pharmacies, McCabes@ Clery’s Avoca and Harvey Nichols.For details of a nearest stockist, log onto: w w w. drhauschkaireland.ie

PAMPER yourself or someone else this summer with Carton House’s summer spa day specials. The luxury resort in Maynooth launched their Summer Spa Day Specials this week, which has some great packages for two summer treatments for just €100, Monday to Friday. Here are just two of the many special offer treatments available: Caribbean Body Scrub one hour – normal price €90 which includes a foot massage, body scrub and body massage.

Elemental Customised Facial one hour – normal price €90.

For more information, email at thespa@ cartonhouse.com or phone 01-6517744.

18 GAZETTE 19 July 2012

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported

by AIB

Interview: John Clifton, general manager, Ballsbridge Hotel BACK TO SCHOOL Q – I dread the start of the school year and find it increasingly difficult to cope financially. The books get more expensive each year, plus there is the uniform, sports gear and the rest. Could I be entitled to any government subsidies ? Patricia – Rathmines A - I really empathise with you and the thousands of families similarly affected. Families are spending on average €400 per child for returning to school, according to research carried out by the Irish League of Credit Unions last summer. The average cost for secondary school children was found to be €470, with primary school costs coming in at €320.

The report also showed that uniforms were the most expensive items, coming in at €229, followed by books at €182. The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BTSCFA) helps meet the cost of uniforms and footwear for children going to school for those eligible to claim.

2012 SCHEME In 2012, the Department of Social Protection will pay the allowance automatically to a large number of qualified people. This means that many families do not have to apply for the payment. If you received this payment last year and your circumstances have not changed, you should have received a letter by June 20, 2012 stating when and how your allowance will be paid. If you haven’t received a notification letter by June 20 and are eligible for the allowance, you should make an application. Application forms are available in all social welfare offices or online at www. welfare.ie . You can also request a form by texting FORM BTSCFA followed by your address to 51909 (normal sms rates apply). If you do not receive an automatic payment, you must apply for the allowance. Applications must be received before the end of September.

You may qualify for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance if you are: • Getting a social welfare payment (including Family Income Supplement) or a Health Service Executive payment, or • Taking part in an approved employment scheme (back to work scheme) including JobBridge, or • Taking part in a recognised education or training course, or • Involved in an Area Partnership Scheme, or • Attending a Fás, Failte Ireland or LES training scheme You may also qualify for the BTSCFA if you are: • Getting a social welfare payment (including Family Income Supplement) or a Health Service Executive payment, or • Taking part in an approved employment scheme (back to work scheme) including JobBridge, or • Taking part in a recognised education or training course, or • Involved in an Area Partnership Scheme, or • Attending a FÁS, Fáilte Ireland or LES training scheme Your child must be aged between four to 22 on or before September 30. If they are aged between 18 to 22, they must be in full-time education in a recognised school or college.

Subject to means testing : - The allowance paid for each eligible child aged four to 11 on or before September 30, 2012 is €150.

- The allowance paid for each eligible child aged 12 to 22 on or before 30 September 2012 is €250.

Best of luck next September

Location is key at Ballsbridge Hotel JOHN Clifton is general manager of Ballsbridge Hotel (formerly Jury’s Hotel) in Dublin 4. Ballsbridge Hotel has 392 guest rooms and is located next to Aviva Stadium and the RDS, making it a popular accommodation choice for sporting events and concerts. John says it’s the hotel’s close proximity to the city centre, O2 arena and Bord Gais Energy Theatre that also contributes to its popularity.

“Our location really is the key to our success. We’re close to everything, yet removed enough to give guests peace and quiet when they want it. Ballsbridge is also a very pretty area and very safe.”

John has been working in the hotel industry for over 30 years – with 20 years’ experience in general manager positions. A native of Blackrock, John attended Willow Park School and Blackrock College before training in hotel management at the Doyle Burlington Hotel and went on to study in Lucerne Hotel School, Switzerland.

Ballsbridge Hotel is now operating as part of the Dalata Hotel Group and John says the hotel is continuing its refurbishment plans after revamping the lobby and conference centre earlier this year.

John Clifton, general manager of the Ballsbridge Hotel in Dublin 4

Q&A Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be?

A: A pilot.

Q: What was your first job?

A: Trainee hotel manager.

Q: And your first pay cheque?

A: £5 a week.

Q: Have you ever done a job you loathed?

A: Gardening bob a job…

Q: When did you start your present job?

A: I started the beginning of this year.

Q: What is the best thing about your job?

A: Interacting with people.

Q: What part of your working day do you delegate?

A: All of it!

Q: Have you achieved anything that you once thought you could not pull off?

A: I worked on a charity building project in South

Africa.

Q: What’s currently on your desk that shouldn’t be?

A: Paper!

Q: Is there anything about yourself that you would like to set the record straight on?

A: No comment.

Q: What habits would you like to lose?

A: Eating too many biscuits!

Q: What sport do you follow?

A: I am interested in all sports really – depending on time of year… Rugby, tennis, golf, GAA.

Q: What sport can you play?

A: I love fly-fishing, skiing, motorbike touring, walking, swimming and rowing.

Q: What is your guilty music/ TV or movie pleasure?

A: I sometimes listen to my teenage daughter Ella’s music collection!

Q: Who best represents modern Ireland – David Norris or Jedward?

A: David Norris.

Q: Where do you enjoy spending money frivolously?

A: Travel… If I could spend it frivolously!

Q: What music/pictures/ movies do you have on your iPod/iPad? A: Pictures of an Antarctica

Q: How many pairs of shoes do you own?

A: Five to six pairs.

trip I did two years ago, stunning place.

Q: What was your worst holiday experience?

A: I lost my passport in

Q: Who do you follow on Twitter/Facebook?

A: I’m one of the few not on social media.

Q: At the moment, what are you looking forward to?

A: My next holiday!

Q: Describe your dream meal?

A: Grilled collar bacon, creamed potatoes and peas.

Q: Who would you rather have dinner with – Enda Kenny or Dame Edna?

A: Enda Kenny would be interesting.

Canada and missed my flight.

Q: Describe your dream holiday?

A: Skiing in Canada or motor biking across France, Spain and Portugal.

Q: What would be your dream job?

A: Flying a sea plane in Alaska.

Q: What do you plan to do when you retire?

A: Live near the sea and watch the sun go down with my wife and daughter.

Contact John with your money questions at jlowe@

moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor

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19 July 2012 GAZETTE 19

GazettePROPERTY PROPERTY It’s a rainbow: B&Q brighten up summer gardens

group

THE SUN may not be shining but that’s no reason not to put a splash of colour into your life as B&Q invite you to live life in multicolour, where there is a rainbow to drive the clouds away.

The variety of vivid items on offer include the Sunlounger (€24.85) and the Janeiro Armchair (€31.00), pictured here, as well as a glorious green Bucket Charcoal Barbecue (€12.40) and multicolour raphia lanterns for €14.25.

For more, see www.diy.com.

NEW BUILD AND RENOVATIONS: MANAGE EXPENSE FROM THE OUTSET

Love me tender to keep on top of costs IF YOU are planning a new build or a renovation, you need to get to grips with the ins and outs of the tendering process if you want to make sure you are on top of your costings.

The tendering process or a ‘Request for Tender’ (RFT) is a structured invitation where you, the home owner, invite building companies to give you a detailed quotation or cost estimate for a building job based on your plans and requirements which you have previously drawn up.

It is imperative that before you enter into the RFT process that you are decided and happy with your plans as all costings will be based on your plans and design requirements. The plan is the crucial part and it is vitally important that your budget is defined up front and that you match your design to your budget. Bearing this in mind, there are three key steps to a successful plan.

Design the area K now your access points, be aware of

where you may need to relocate services and plumbing as that will have an impact on cost.

Planning Get plan drawn up by a professional. This should be well drafted, legible and logical, realistic in its design and matching your budget.

Specifics Your plan needs to be specified; the required materials from glazing, to kitchen cabinets, to light switches and sockets need to be defined up front and in detail.

Once your specifications are complete, you will send it out to the builders you have selected, who will then price as per your specifications.

You will be getting quotations from several sources so it’s important that all involved have the same information.

Quality specification is crucial if you want an accurate tender.

Make sure you are 100% satisfied that what you need is on the costings the builders bring you back and that it

Making your house a home with renovations needs close management

matches your specifications. If the documentation doesn’t match, you may find yourself in a situation where an element of the build may be removed from the project (as it wasn’t on the list the builder brought back) or, it could be added in later at an extra cost.

Once prices come in, you must then meet your builder. You could be entering into a three-

of four-month project and the building team will be onsite daily. You must be able to communicate with them.

Once you are close to making a decision, you need to go and look at prior work and talk to old customers. But don’t let positive feedback sway you into making a decision. The quality of previous work will hopefully speak for itself.

When you come to the

contracts stage (don’t attempt any work without contracts) ensure the fees for the Certificate of Compliance are included as part of the costings, as you will need this to sign off the completed build.

To get in touch with HSLC visit us online at www.hslc.ie or call Gerhard on Ph: 087 7749470 email: info@ hslc.ie

.com

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20 GAZETTE 19 July 2012

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS RoadSigns Road Signs Dublin comes sixth in congested list MOBILE navigation giants TomTom have launched the first quarterly congestion index that accurately identifies and analyses traffic congestion in major cities across Europe.

The report, initially covering 31 cities, finds Warsaw to be the most congested city in Europe with a 42% congestion level. Our own fair city of Dublin was found to be sixth.

On average, journey times in Dublin are 30% longer than when traffic in the city is flowing freely and 70% longer during morning rush hour. This is a significant rise in traffic congestion in Dublin from last year when Dublin was the 24th most congested city with a 24.2% congestion level. The TomTom Congestion Index, including individual city reports, can be found at www.tomtom.com/ congestionindex.

The TomTom Congestion Index is the world’s most accurate barometer of congestion in urban areas. The index is uniquely based on real travel time data captured by vehicles driving the entire road network. TomTom’s traffic database contains over five trillion data measurements and is growing by five billion measurements every day. The overall congestion level for all the cities analysed in Europe is 24% - meaning journey times take 24% longer than when traffic is flowing freely.

The top 10 most congested cities, ranked by overall congestion level, between January and March 2012 were: 1. Warsaw, 42% congestion level. 2. Marseille, 41%. 3. Rome, 34%. 4.

Brussels, 34%. 5. Paris, 32%. 6. Dublin, 30%.

7. Bradford – Leeds, 28%. 8. London, 27%.

9. Stockholm, 27%. 10. Hamburg, 27%.

VW offers €500 to new customers VOLKSWAGEN Ireland cannot guarantee sunshine this summer, but it can guarantee savings, providing every newVolkswagen customer with a welcome cheque for €500.

This could be described as the perfect antidote to the poor Irish summer weather, customers who purchase a newVolkswagen will not only receive €500, they will also get free car insurance and road tax for 12 months.

With Volkswagen’s innovative financial packages provided by Volkswagen Bank, customers can avail of some of the cheapest ways into a new car in the Irish market. Examples of this include the ever-popular Polo for just €149 per month, the Golf or Jetta from just €199 per month and the Passat from just €299 per month.

So don’t hang about! Get down to your local Volkswagen retailer, log on to www.volkswagen. ie or check out our Facebook page on www. facebook.com/VolkswagenIRL.

The offer for Citigo includes three years of servicing

Skoda enters small car market with flair THE increasingly popular car manufacturer, Skoda, has launched a brand new entrant to the small car market.

Retailing from just €9,995, the Citigo is available for test drive at Skoda dealerships nationwide.

Having attended the official European launch earlier this year, the Gazette will be featuring a full Irish road test in the coming weeks.

The Citigo is available in three and five-door alternatives with two petrol engine options including 1.0-litre 60bhp and 75bhp power units with fuel economy from 4.5l/100km.

VRT and road tax falls into Band-A thanks to emissions of just 105g/ km.

With ESP (electronic stability program) and side head thorax airbags fitted as standard the new Citigo is one of the safest cars in its class achieving a five-star rating from the EuroNCAP.

Marking Skoda’s entry into the small car market, Skoda Ireland has created an attractive finance option for Citigo called PCP Solutions.

This package provides customers with an attractive 1.99% APR over three years which also includes three years servicing, warranty and roadside assist from €99 per month.

Manual transmissions are the norm in this segment. However Skoda are confident they can grow sales with their new automatic transmission.

For just €750, customers can avail of their new ASG five-speed automatic transmission that also has the benefit of sequential gear changing.

Satellite navigation is also rare in this segment but all Citigo models come equipped with a mobile-sat-nav docking station as standard to which Skoda’s optional mobile navigation system (€349) can connect.

This system also pro-

vides BlueTooth hands free and mp3 play back functionality for increased safety and comfort.

Commenting on the launch, Raymond Leddy, head of marketing, Skoda Ireland, said: “The Citigo has already won several motoring awards across Europe and is really going to shake up the small car market here in Ireland.

“From a financial perspective the Citigo ticks all the boxes. Customers can avail of our PCP Solutions plan with an incredibly low APR combined with monthly repayments of €99 inclusive of servicing over three years. For

further peace of mind we have three years warranty and roadside assist.”

Leddy expanded: “The Citigo will appeal to a wide range of motorists from the family looking for a viable second car to the more mature motorist seeking a small car with comfort and efficiency to the first-time buyer who is looking for new car technology at an affordable price. We are also forecasting demand with Ireland’s lowest priced automatic car - the Citigo 1.0MPI 60bhp ASG from just €10,745.”

The offer for Citigo includes three years’ serv-

icing in the €99 monthly cost. Based on Citigo 1.0MPI Active model RRP including delivery is €10,595. The customer pays deposit/part exchange of €3,245,23, followed by 36 monthly instalments of €99 (€88.01 Solutions PCP payment and €10.99 for the interest free provision of three years’ servicing), an optional final payment (GMFV) of €4,197.90 is at the end of the contract and may be dealt with using one of the three options below. The minimum deposit / part exchange for Citigo PCP Solutions is 10%.

19 July 2012 GAZETTE 21

Edited by Cormac Curtis

RoadSigns Road Signs Fiat 500 – wake up and smell the coffee

The car clearly follows Kia’s latest design direction, but it stands out with a bold, athletic and sporty appeal

Kia hits the spot with sporty Optima CORMAC CURTIS

KIA motors certainly enjoyed a good start to 2012 when the Kia Rio scooped the Irish Continental Car of the Year award, as voted by the Irish Motoring Writers Association.

The company are certainly not resting on their laurels, as the new Optima has been launched to the Irish market in recent weeks, and it is already grabbing attention.

The design team, headed up by Kia’s chief design officer, Peter Schreyer, have clearly been given a clear vision, and some artistic latitude, to come up with this new look.

The car clearly follows Kia’s latest design direction, but it stands out with a bold, athletic and sporty appeal. Kia claim to have been striving for a “unique exterior with a driver-oriented interior”, and, from my point of view, they have hit the nail firmly on the head.

The Optima is longer, lower and wider with an extended wheelbase com-

SPECS: KIA OPTIMA 1.7-LITRE / 136 PS DIESEL

Type speed: DOHC, four-cylinder in line, 16-valve with single VGT Capacity: 1.7-litres, 1,685 cc Max power: 136 ps (100 kW) @ 4,000 rpm PMax torque: 325 Nm (33.1 kg.m) @ 2,000 rpm

pared to previous D-segment offerings from Kia, all of which contribute to its sporty appeal.

From the front, the swept-back approach to the design of the lighting clusters and grille give the car that desirable “moving while standing still” appearance - it really does stand out.

The new model is available with a 1.7-litre turbo diesel, which is expected to account for the majority of sales in Europe. The other option is a 2.0-litre 170 ps petrol engine.

The diesel unit offered is a new 1.7-litre version of Kia’s popular U2 engine. It produces 136 ps and 325 Nm of torque

at 2,000 rpm for excellent driveability, and delivers best-in-class performance for an engine of its displacement.

A number of measures designed to enhance engine efficiency, including fitting an overrunning alternator decoupler and an innovative battery management system, also mean that Kia Optima will have low tailpipe emissions – producing just 133 g/km CO2.

Drivers keen to reduce the environmental impact of their car even further can select Kia’s optional EcoDynamics pack, with an ISG start/stop system that automatically switches off and restarts the engine in heavy traffic conditions.

Fitted with EcoDynamics, Kia Optima is able to deliver a remarkable CO2 output of just 128 g/km, placing it among the lower vehicle tax bands in most European countries.

The 2.0-litre petrol engine is an all-new unit.

Called ‘Nu’, the 1,999 cc all-aluminium lightweight engine will also offer best-

in-class performance and competitive fuel economy.

The Kia Optima will be offered to buyers with a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions – whatever the engine customers specify – providing greater refinement and efficiency while cruising at higher speeds.

The automatic model I tested was a joy, I can’t recommend automatic transmissions highly enough, even for fans of sporty driving, don’t be put off.

One of my favourite features of the car was the reversing camera.

In the Optima, the reverse view appears in the rear-view mirror when the reverse gear is selected, leaving the dashboard and centre console free of any large screens – a big plus in my opinion.

The Kia Optima is fitted with generous levels of specification as standard, and buyers will also be offered a number of optional high-tech features typically found on vehicles from more

e x p e n s i ve p r e m i u m brands, including LED daytime running lights and dual-zone automatic climate control air-conditioning.

Standard on middlegrade trim models are heated front seats, with cooling (air ventilation) for the driver’s seat.

The new Optima features an all-new body shell incorporating a large percentage of ultra high-tensile steel and advanced structural engineering techniques that have proven their safety performance in numerous Kia models – enabling them to achieve a five-star safety rating in Euro NCAP crash tests.

Every Optima comes with a four-wheel disc braking system supported by ABS (anti-lock braking), ESC (electronic stability control) and VSM (vehicle stability management) systems as standard.

This senses when the driver is making an emergency stop and flashes with brake lights to warn following drivers.

AFTER five years and 800,000 sales, the FIAT 500 has welcomed a new sibling: The FIAT 500L! Combining the iconic style of the FIAT 500 with the functionality of an MPV, the new FIAT 500L occupies its own unique niche combining the best attributes of the B and C segments in a funky and innovative package.

Yes, this car has bucket loads of useful space; yes, this car has more gadgets than a PC World catalogue; yes, this car has a bewildering level of safety equipment and choice of engines, but what really sets it apart is the coffee machine!

You heard me right. The new Fiat 500L boasts an exclusive collaboration with legendary coffee machine producers Lavazza that will make it the first production car in the world to offer a fullyintegrated espresso machine.

Make sure to spring for a leather interior, those coffee stains can be murder to get out of fabric!

The new Fiat 500L is loaded with gadgets

OPEL ASTRA GTC GETS A RED DOT: A FEW months back, the Gazette fell head over heels in love with the sexy new Opel Astra GTC, a car that was a lot closer to the concept drawings than most.

It would seem we’re not alone in our affections for this classy motor, as the car has been given the prestigious “red dot design award” by a panel of international judges in this year’s product design category.

The compact coupe is widely recognised for being sporty, efficient and packed full of innovative technologies with captivating design.

The 30 judges on the red dot award

panel praised the Astra GTC for “scoring points with its striking and sporty design”.

The judges also remarked that the “panoramic windscreen that stretches all the way to the middle of the roof without a transverse spar ensures that all passengers benefit from maximum driving fun”.

According to Mark Adams, vice president of Opel/ Vauxhall Design: “We are very proud to have won this award. This is further proof that our Opel design philosophy of ‘sculptural artistry meets German precision’ has enormous potential.

22 GAZETTE 19 July 2012

GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel Copenhagen delighted us with its truly great Danes GoHop.ie has some terrific summer deals, with Malta proving popular for a great getaway

Hop on over to Malta or Tenerife with website’s great family deals

IF YOU’RE still undecided about your plans for getting away with your family this summer, GoHop.ie is fast becoming one of Ireland’s leading online travel companies, and is the ideal site for some last-minute summer holiday shopping.

Travel to Malta on Thursday, July 26, and stay at the three-star Hotel Euro Club for seven nights from €2,052.

Prices are based on two adults and two children on a B&B basis, and includes return flights from Dublin, taxes and charges.

Alternatively, you could travel to Tenerife on Thursday, August 16, and stay at the three-star Vime Callao Garden on a self-catering basis for seven nights, from €1,464.

The price is also based on two adults and two children, and includes flights from Shannon Airport, taxes and charges.

GoHop.ie offer some of the lowest fares on all airlines out of Ireland. For further information on these and other holidays, or to make a booking, see vwww.gohop.ie.

Thomas Cook invites you to stay at an award-winning three-star hotel in sun-kissed Lanzarote PUERTO del Carmen has long been a hot spot for sun-seekers venturing from Ireland to Lanzarote, with the Montana Club a mainstay for visitors returning to the sun-kissed island.

With the three-star hotel recently picking up a prestigious award from TripAdvisor, based on a host of positive feedback from guests, Thomas Cook Ireland is celebrating by offering some special summer packages departing from both Dublin and Shannon.

Situated in well-kept grounds in a quiet street away from, but within easy reach of, the hustle and bustle of the resort town centre, the Montana Club was awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 2012.

Thomas Cook Ireland is offering seven nights’ self-catering from €505 per person based on two adults sharing, with flights from Dublin or Shannon departing on Saturday, August 25.

For further information, call the Thomas Cook Ireland team at 01 514 0328, visit your local travel agent, or see www.thomascook.ie.

SHANE DILLON

JOINING some friends for a weekend break, I set off for Copenhagen recently with Scandinavian Airlines (SAS, www. flysas.ie) – the perfect choice to head not just to Denmark, but Scandinavia, and beyond.

Settling into my business-class seat, and under the attentive care of the crew, I noted that the perfectly smooth flight to Copenhagen was a snip at under two hours – Copenhagen is a lot closer than I’d thought.

Once there, a refreshing stop at the SAS lounge was a great way to momentarily adjust, count the kroner in our pockets, and set off for the hotel via the quick, driverless metro.

A short walk from the city centre station, the historic Admiral Hotel (www.admiralhotel.dk) is ideally located by the water, with Tall Ships bobbing about below the rear rooms’ balconies.

A vast structure with plenty of history, the Admiral was full of hallways, wood, marble and Armani models masquerading as helpful receptionists, making it a pleasant and comfortable base within strolling distance of the city’s key tourist spots.

From there, a canal

cruise (www.canaltours. com) proved a leisurely way to see several key parts of the city centre, helped by our friendly guide who pointed out one fascinating structure after another in several striking neighbourhoods.

That evening, exquisite dining awaited in the trendy meatpacking district, with starters at striking Fiskebaren (www. fiskebaren.dk), followed by a main course across

at home, with a pale horizon even at 3am – and we retired to Ruby (http:// rby.dk/#/0), an upmarket yet welcoming cocktail bar, and which really was a gem of a place ...

Next morning, a hearty hotel breakfast was followed by my very first kayaking excursion (www.kajakole.dk).

Displaying the patience of Job, our good-natured instructor guided us on what turned out to be a

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

‘The world-famous Tivoli Gardens awaited, with its mix of restaurants, bars, theatres, fairground rides and so much more – no wonder thousands filled its welcoming grounds’

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

the plaza at Nose2Tail (http://nose2tail.dk), followed by nipping back to Fiskebaren for dessert.

Whether dining below mesmerising luminous jellyfish swirling around a glass pillar before us at Fiskebaren, or listening to a meat-loving chef’s philosophy by candlelight at Nose2Tail, we loved the restaurants’ unpretentious staff and owners – and, of course their delicious food and wine.

A nightcap was called for – even though, in Copenhagen, night doesn’t truly fall as it does

lengthy trip down several canals, bays, and waterways, giving us a different perspective yet again of the lovely city.

A traditional Danish lunch followed at Peder Oxe (www.pederoxe.dk), which saw local specialities presented in a novel multi-sandwich process, and served, yet again, by one of Copenhagen’s notably friendly waitresses.

Walking off my delicious dessert, I strolled up The Round Tower (www.rundetaarn.dk) – an observatory tower in

the city centre built for, I heard, a fat king who didn’t want to take any any stairs on his way to look at the stars.

Its fine city views took in Stroget, Europe’s longest pedestrian street, which celebrates its 50th birthday this year, and which is full of leading Danish and international stores – including, I noted, brands that even London doesn’t have – making it a shopper’s delight.

T he world-famous Tivoli Gardens awaited (www.tivoli.dk), with its vast, sprawling mix of restaurants, bars, theatres, fairground rides, performance spaces and so much more – no wonder thousands of Danes, and tourists, filled its welcoming grounds, even late at night.

T he lights, sights and sounds of the truly enchanting gardens were set aside – briefly – for some six-star dining at NIMB Terasse (www. nimb.dk).

As the sun set, the immaculate staff whirled like clockwork around us, while the food, and presentation, was as sumptuous as one could hope for.

The Tivoli Gardens transform once darkness falls, as thousands of lights convert the park into a night-time wonderland – no wonder the

A lovely city-centre view city that’s full of history,

gardens stayed so full of families, even as midnight approached.

Our relaxed mood lingered… a feeling which lasted all the way back to the hotel, where stars twinkled down at one tired but happy tourist at the end of his day’s busy kayaking, dining, sightseeing, shopping and singing adventures ...

Next morning, we assembled for a bike tour (www.copenhagentours. dk) and, despite it being my first time on a bike in almost 20 years, it proved as easy as, well, riding a bike!

So it was that, after flying in, sailing along, walking around and splashing by, my party and I were completing our exploration of Copenhagen on two wheels, past impressive castles and courtyards, through sleepy laneways and across bustling bridges, through

19 July 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 23

Edited by Natalie Burke

TravelBriefs With waterways greatly defining Copenhagen’s character and layout, a canal cruise is a perfect way to take in the wonderful city. Pictures: Shane Dillon

Lisbon’s beaches are just a step away from the Experienced and novice kayakers alike can enjoy an

city, and offer both beautiful sands and luxurious

easygoing waterline view of Copenhagen

hotels, such as the five-star Palacio, in Estoril

Concorde Travel Lisbon invites you to step over to Lisbon’s soft beaches and relaxing resorts

from The Round Tower, taking in some of the centre’s key spires and turrets, in a

Cocktails at Ruby are a great way to round off a day,

yet also has exemplary contemporary architecture and design throughout

in a city full of welcoming bars with terrific service

A delicious Danish dessert, courtesy of

Already spectacular by day, the historic

Part of the lovely waterside view from the

NIMB Terasse – one of a number of exquisite

Tivoli Gardens transform at night into a

perfectly-located Admiral Hotel

Copenhagen restaurants

luxurious wonderland for all ages to enjoy

a mud-splattered hippy kingdom – don’t ask – and on to the smart, upmarket Torvehallerne Food Market (www.torvehallernekbh.dk), providing the highest quality fare from a wide range of produce providers.

With that, we set off, back to the busy airport, back to another very welcome respite in the comfortable SAS lounge, and another wonderfully smooth, relaxing flight back to Dublin with SAS.

Ultimately, how can I sum up Copenhagen?

I’d heard of great Danes before – yet how inadequate that term is, when I think of that marvellous city and her wonderful people.

Now that I know first-

hand how truly charming Copenhagen is, how genuinely friendly and warm her people are, and how easily accessible Copenhagen is with SAS (not to mention affordable, with all-in SAS economy return flights from Dublin

being surprisingly cheap), I will definitely return to that elegant, welcoming city – and soon, I hope.

For further information on Copenhagen’s many attractions, as well as on Denmark, see www.visitdenmark.com.

WHETHER it is pure leisure, business, golf, sun, sea or water sports that you’re seeking this summer, the sandy beaches and trendy resorts of the lovely Lisbon coast have it all.

Just a step away from the beautiful cosmopolitan city of Lisbon, the popular resorts of Estoril and Cascais enjoy the generous privileges of both the sun-kissed Riviera and the nearby white, soft, sandy beaches.

Estoril’s history features World War II memories of international spies, royal exiles and celebrities of all kinds, while Cascais, the trendier of the two resorts, boasts an active cultural scene.

To help get you there this summer, Concorde Travel are offering some great deals on holidays to Lisbon, starting at €549 per person (PP).

Departing on July 26, spend seven nights on a B&B basis at the three-star SANA Estoril for €599 PP; the four-star Vila Gale, in Estoril, for €599PP; the four-star Vila Gale, in Cascais, for €649PP; the four-star Pestana, in Cascais, for €699PP; the five-star Quinta Da Marinha Hotel, in Cascais, for €799PP or the five-star Palacio, in Estoril, for €899PP. Departing on August 14, spend seven nights on a B&B basis at the three-star SANA Estoril for €549 PP; the four-star Vila Gale, in Estoril, for €649PP; the four-star Vila Gale, in Cascais, for €699PP; the five-star Quinta Da Marinha Hotel, in Cascais, for €749PP, or the five-star Palacio, in Estoril, for €899 PP. Prices include direct flights from Dublin to Lisbon, return airport transfers, luggage allowance, the assistance of a local representative, seven nights’ accommodation at your chosen hotel on a B&B basis, and all taxes and charges.

To book your holiday at Lisbon’s coast, or for further information, see www.concordetravel.ie; email info@concordetravel.ie, or telephone 01 775 9300 to speak with one of Concorde Travel’s representatives.

24 LUCAN GAZETTE 19 July 2012

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT

GoingOUT THE PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929 Altan

“...SIMPLY the most captivating, resonant and beautiful music...” says Mojo magazine. The Boston Globe has described them as “The hottest group in the Celtic realm!”

With that kind of buzz, it is no wonder that Altan have toured all over the USA and Europe. No Irish traditional band in the last dozen years has had a wider impact on audiences and music lovers throughout the world than Altan.

For one very special show only on July 17 at 8.30pm, Altan will play Dun Laoghaire. Tickets are priced at €22/20.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 Auditions, Zoe’s Auditions AN HILARIOUSLY touching tale of lovable Zoe, an aspiring actress who dreams of landing an acting job. Her over-thehill agent sends her on an assortment of auditions ranging from Hamlet to being shot out of a cannon for a touring circus. Wildly enthusiastic and eager to please, Zoe is prone to a series of mishaps and misadventures that lead casting directors to shout “NEXT!!” Just as she is ready to give up, Zoe falls asleep at her job working backstage on a production of “A Christmas Carol”. She is visited by three audacious ghosts with startling wisdom for her. July 26-28 at 8pm. Admission: €18/15.

CIVIC THEATRE 01 462 7477 Much Ado About Nothing AFTER the success of last year’s production of Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, AC Productions return with another one of Shakespeare’s classic comedies, transposed to 1960’s Italy where wit is as sharp as the fashion. Cupid has his work cut out for him as reluctant lovers, Beatrice and Benedict, exchange words. In the Bard’s tale of barbed words and sparkling wit, the path of true love certainly doesn’t run smoothly. The show runs for two nights, on August 10 and 11 at 8.15pm.

Admission €10.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 The Connect Club 2012 THIS July, Draíocht is delighted to be back working with the Daughters of Charity’s Summer Camp, The Connect Club in Laurel Lodge. The summer camp is filled with social and recreational activities catering for young people with varying degrees of intellectual disability, with the aim of providing an outlet that is fun and focused on the individual’s likes and interests. For more, see www.draiocht.ie

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All of your latest local news, sport, features and pictures are now just a click away

While Jason (Adam Scott) and Julie (Jennifer Westfeldt) glide through parenthood, Leslie (Maya Rudolph) and Alex (Chris O’Dowd) struggle.

How to make friends Good looking, rich people have problems too, you know.

They’re just a little different from yours or mine...

I PAUL HOSFORD

PARENTHOOD is a tricky subject to broach in film these days.

What with the breastfeedexperts, the bre ing debates and the difficulty pitching a film about kids to people can be a with kids, it ca minefield.

Think back over the o the last decade and a standout movie in the Knocked Up, genre is Knock which focused more on the journey to having a kid than the effects of the birth.

Step forward Friends With Kids , the new movie from Jennifer Westfeldt.

Unless you particularly remember 2001’s Kissing Jessica Stein, Westfeldt is recognisable only from a number of stints on TV shows such as 24 and Grey’s Anatomy.

Oh, she also happens to be the long-term girl-

FILM OF THE WEEK: Friends with Kids ### (15) 107 mins Director: Jennifer Westfeldt Starring: Jennifer Westfeldt, Adam Scott, Maya Rudolph, Ed Burns, Kristen Wiig, Megan Fox, Chris O’Dowd, Jon Hamm

OUR VERDICT:

A decent look at what parenthood can do to a relationship, but it can border on smug as the know-it-all lead characters settle into their routine. Soon, however, we see that they are as clueless as the rest of us. For everything it does well, though, it squanders a great cast, leaving Wiig, Hamm, O’Dowd and Rudolph too little to do.

friend of Jon Hamm.

So, if Don Draper is your type, she is the lady standing between you and a life of happiness with the most chauvinist man on Madison Avenue.

Hamm is cast in this look at three couples and brings with him three of his Bridesmaids co-stars; Kristen Wiig, M ay a R u d o l p h a n d Roscommon’s favourite son, Chris O’Dowd.

In the midst of their thirties, and with time ticking, best friends Julie (Westfeldt) and Jason (Adam Scott) decide to have a child

together.

The premise being that having kids has sucked the romance and happiness from their closest friends’ relationships (Wiig and Hamm, Rudolph and O’Dowd).

To get the kid, they agree to sleep together and raise the child with split custody, leaving them free to pursue “The One” without any stress.

Of course, this is where the complications begin.

While the pair take to their odd arrangement swimmingly, much to

the chagrin of their friends, (particularly Hamm, doing a fine line in world weary married man) the quest to find love is filled with more challenges than changing dirty nappies.

When Jason meets the prototype babe in Megan Fox, his life appears to be taking an upward trajectory without Julie, who discovers long-held feelings for her best friend.

Of course, when Jason doesn’t feel the same, she stumbles into the arms of the utterly, implausibly perfect Ed Burns.

From there, the two have to navigate their feelings for each other as well as their new beaus.

The film settles, a r o u n d h a l f w ay i n , into just being another straight rom-com about upper West-side New Yorkers, who have a fairly specific set of

problems.

School in Manhattan is expensive, Brooklyn is difficult to get to, Megan Fox and Ed Burns aren’t up to my standards and so on.

It is essentially, the whitest movie ever made and the emotional problems just aren’t complex enough to stop the lead characters coming off as horribly smug, such as slipping in pontifications on religion when it hasn’t been mentioned anywhere previously.

T he film sparkles under the group dynamic, however, with a set of six or eight talented actors and a sharp script allowing them room to shine.

Unfor tunately, the Bridesmaids carriovers are left idle for too long, with even the characters remarking that they haven’t been seen in a long time.

When even the script notices, that’s a problem.

19 July 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 25

GazetteGAMING GAMING Bytesandpieces

?

Check your delivery into a motel

In a near-future world where the lines between commerce, governance and policing are being shattered, who will Hollywood pick to play the complex, cybernetically-enhanced antihero of Deus Ex: Human Revolution, now that a movie adaptation is on the way?

A potential revolution I SHANE DILLON

REMEMBER the film of Super Mario Brothers, starring Bob Hoskins and Dennis Hopper? What about Street Fighter, starring Jean Claude Van Damme? Tomb Raider?

And, of course, the ongoing Resident Evil films?

I could continue down a long list of such titles but the point is, almost without exception, when Hollywood tries to make a film based on a popular computer game, or franchise, the results are

almost always ... well, dreadful.

Perhaps the main problem is that the source material is generally poor, as active player interaction with a game is an entirely different experience to the passive viewer observation of a film.

In short, if there isn’t an interesting story, there won’t be a good film.

This leads to the latest Hollywood deal that’s been struck over a game – in this case, Deus Ex: Human Revolution.

cybernetic limbs to be faster, stronger, “better”, it doesn’t take long for such augmented people, and society, to fall into standard rich versus poor camps.

Those that manufacture such augments, such as Sarif Technologies, see their power as biotechnology firms making them stronger than governments.

In this brave new world of humanity fracturing into “augmented” and “natural” humans, lines of battle are being drawn

CBS Films has struck a deal to adapt the 2011 title, working closely with its developer, Eidos Montreal, to develop it, says Variety.

This could turn out to be a great success – or something that wouldn’t even work on the small screen.

Human Revolution is set in the near future, with major cybernetic augmentation splitting dividing societies around the world.

After all, in a world where people can get

The Skyrim’s the limit for great computer game music sic AS A random aside, I’d like to point people towards the Skyrim soundtrack, which is available to buy from a variety of online sources (and which can be heard on YouTube playlists).

I could fill half The Gazette with computer game soundtrack reviews and features, as I’ve been following this type of music for almost 20 years, much

of which can be superb (and much, dross, in common with TV and cinema scores).

There are lots of extremely skilled composers, orchestras and musicans working away in this genre, which regularly attracts all manner of Oscar- and Grammy-winning composers and artists, yet which few music-lovers, or reviewers, have any

great interest in, Skyrim sees the player wandering a vast pseudomedieval land, not unlike the Lord of the Rings setting, but with a stronger Nordic influence, while a dramatic storyline plays out.

As such, the soundtrack encompasses many themes, with the subtle use choirs adding to a richly orchestral, sweeping score.

So, for those looking to explore some of gaming’s ancillary offshoots, why not take a look at – or, rather, listen to – Jeremy Soule’s excellent soundtrack?

up, with governments, corporations and terrorists all blurring the lines of power, and between what’s right and wrong.

And it’s this noir-ish, cyberpunk world that the player, as Adam Jensen, is plunged into, following conspiracies within conspiracies, trying to uncover truths that may not be for humanity’s best …

Clive Owen? Mark Wahlberg? Hell, Eddie Murphy? Who do you think will eventually turn out as the best (or chosen) actor to encapsulate this game’s complex antihero, not to mention the world of cyberterrorism, corrupted ethics, globalisation and absolute corruption?

Well, if the filmmakers can successfully pull it off – and, don’t forget, such futuristic high-tech films never go out of vogue, as the imminent Total Recall remake shows – it could be great.

A truly great film, based on a computer game?

Now that would be a revolution ...

THIS service has dropped into my inbox with perfect timing, as I’ve just moved into a subdivided house that’s not very parcel-delivery-friendly or secure – so, this sounds like a great idea!

This will feel like an instantly familiar scenario for many – you’ve just bought something online, but aren’t sure where to have your parcel sent for delivery, as it may not be convenient for you to collect at work or at home (while for some, like me, living in a subdivided house may make postal security a worry).

The Parcel Motel could be a perfect solution to this problem. By setting up an account with www.parcelmotel.com (and, yes, there’s a cost for the service) users , shoppers – can then direct their parcel’s delivery to their own nearby Parcel Motel unit for collection. A text message containing a unique code is then sent to the user, who then simply heads to their chosen unit, enters their code, and retrieves their parcel.

Run by Nightline, which has 20 year’s experience in parcel delivery, another neat aspect is that online purchases from Britain – which are normally free, there, but incur delivery charges, here – can be sent to Nightline’s Belfast address, and then redirected on to units, here.

This sounds like one motel that many readers could want to check into ...

GAZETTE

26 LUCAN GAZETTE 19 July 2012

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19 July 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 27

GazetteSPORT

TREBLE OLYMPIAN: Eoin Rheinisch talks about his battle to qualify for London Page 29

COMPETITION: WIN A PLACE AT THE DUBLIN LADIES GAELIC ‘GIRLS ONLY’ SUMMER CAMP

Ladies Gaelic set up unique new summer camps sport@gazettegroup.com

DUBLIN Ladies Gaelic Football Association are offering a unique new form of summer camp as they are set to host two weeks of girls’ only camps.

Coaching will be carried out by, among others, AllIreland winners Colleen Barrett, Lyndsay Peat, Sinead Goldrick, Sinead Deegan and Cliodhna O’Connor while there will also be a number of coaches from the Dublin

B side which recently won the Aisling McGing Cup. The camps will run for two weeks (Monday to Friday 10am-2pm) and take place in Clannna Gael GAA Club in Ringsend. The first gets underway on July 30 while week two starts on August 20.

For eight to 12-year-olds, the price is €60 while for 13 to 16-year-olds, it is €70.

And Cliodhna O’Connor, urban programme officer for ladies’ football, says it offers

something new for girls.

“The idea is that some girls prefer to play in this kind of environment.

The 13 to 16-year-old age group is especially a key group as it is when girls tend not to play with boys.

They can fall out of sport and there are not a lot of camps available to them.”

The camps are available to all age groups and will provide specific skills for ladies gaelic football. They will also offer education on lifestyle to encourage players to have the con-

The latest ladies football initiative offers girls from across the city a new summer camp option Picture: GAApics.com

fidence to get out and try playing all types of sport.

All 20 camp coaches were together in Clann na Gael Club only last week to prepare for the two weeks in August. Their priority is to provide qual-

ity football coaching and education about how to live a healthier life style all when letting the young ladies footballers of Dublin have a bit of fun.

And the DLGFA, in association with Gazette-

Sport, is offering you the chance to win two places at the camp of your choice. Answer this simple question: In what year did the Dublin ladies most

recently win the AllIreland senior football championship?

Email your answer and contact details to dublinladiessummercamps@ gmail.com.

28 LUCAN GAZETTE 19 July 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

RUGBY: YOUNG GUN HUNGRY AFTER HEINEKEN CUP FINAL CAMEO

Olympian Jennings launches local 5k THIS year’s Rathfarnham 5k Run in aid of St Luke’s Hospital, Rathgar was launched recently in Bushy Park by Olympic-bound Caitriona Jennings and the Rathfarnham Ladies team.

Club member Jennings, pictured, has been selected for the marathon at the London Games on August 5 and has been a regular entrant in the race in the past.

Entries are now open at www.athleticsrathfarnham.ie. The race is on Sunday, September 23 around the streets of Rathfarnham and Terenure and is being sponsored by Energie Fitness Gym in Rathfarnham.

More than 1,000 people are expected for this run and fun runners and walkers are welcome.

The first 800 finishers will receive a high quality technical training top and there will be a goody bag for all.

All this for just €20, so enter today and set your 5k personal best time at Rathfarnham.

The club’s coaching manager Adam Jones has devised an 11-week training programme for this year’s run.

Following the programme will ensure participants get the most out of the experience and are in the best possible shape at the start line.

The schedules are divided into three phases of training: conditioning/preparation, consolidation and tapering/finishing.

The first four-week phase, focusing on preparation and conditioning, is now available in the Rathfarnham AC website.

Meanwhile, the club produced a number of good results at the recent Woodies national senior track and field championships, Paul Stephenson ran 33.09 to come 12th in the 10,000m final, while Johnathan Hughes ran 35.29. Louis McCarthy and Paul Fleming ran in the second heat of the 1,500m. On day two, Kevin Donagher ran 16.38 in the 5,000m.

Former De La Salle Palmerston player John Cooney signs autographs at Coolmine RFC this week Picture: Ian Fleming

Cooney eyes ‘big year’ STEPHEN FINDLATER sport@gazettegroup.com

JOHN Cooney is lining up “a big year” in blue this season as Leinster start their initial preparations for the 2012/13 season, with a memorable close to the last season fresh in the mind.

He was the unlikely recipient of a Heineken Cup medal a couple of months ago in Twickenham, coming into the match day squad just an hour before the final got under way and making his debut with six minutes left on the clock.

During that time, the 22-year-old scrum-half had enough time to play his part in Heineke van der Mer we’s tr y and offer a glimpse of what he can offer next term.

His entry to the game was a surprise to many,

not just to his friends but to the player himself.

“A few of my mates were at the game and they saw me warm-up and were wondering ‘what’s going on there?’

It was pretty special,” he told GazetteSport at Coolmine RFC where he was meeting some of the stars of the future at a Leinster Rugby summer camp.

Despite waiting on tenterhooks for much of the week, Cooney said he was confident he could do a job if called upon.

“It was a mad week in general. I started running on the wing with the second team on the Monday.

“Both scrum halves got niggles so I had to do all the first team trainings for the week.

Isaac Boss said he felt alright on the Saturday but I was told if he couldn’t kick properly, I’d be in [for the final].

“It was only five minutes before the proper warm-up, I was told I was in. That was about an hour or 50 minutes before the game. I had been prepared anyway.

I was lucky that I’d prepared the moves so I felt quite confident. I was told to be ready.

Nerves “I was more nervous before the game but, when I came on, we were 20 points up. I was happy to be involved in making a try. I got a few nice touches and was nearly in another time but [Gordon] D’Arcy dropped the ball but that happens.”

Despite reported

interest from Scotland, the former De La Salle Palmerston youth player and Irish U-20s regular agreed an extension to his contract in early May, prior to the final, with the province.

T hose suggestions came as a result of his father’s heritage as a Blantyre man but he says Leinster and Ireland will always come first.

“I can play for Scotland if I wanted to but I want to see how things go here first. It’s always a good fall-back option but definitely not at the moment.

“This will hopefully be a big year [with Leinster]. With the experience of Isaac Boss and Eoin Reddan, you always pick up a good few pointers off them. They’re real-

ly approachable and always helpful.”

His emotional ties also stay close to his heart, currently with Lansdowne, but also with DLSP. “I started there at U-16s in fourth year because I wasn’t playing senior cup so I’d go down on Saturdays and Sundays. We did pretty well; I think we finished second in our league and I enjoyed it.

“My brother Francis played up there. He’s finished up now but he plays the odd time at J1 and says he runs the show. With him, I put one of my U-20 jerseys up there recently.

“It’s nice to still have that connection. It’s a good club and a lot of young Gonzaga [his alma mater] guys going up there now.”

19 July 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 29

Rheinisch battles white water ride Salmon Leap paddler Eoin Rheinisch fought back from three shoulder surgeries to make it to the Olympics, writes STEPHEN FINDLATER RELIEF was the overriding emotion. For Eoin Rheinisch, three and a half years worth of sacrifice, riddled by injury and illness, was all riding on the final Olympic qualifier in Augsburg, Germany in May. Only two tickets to London remained with over 30 competitors in the mix for the K1 canoe slalom, an event which the Salmon Leap man had agonisingly finished fourth in Beijing in 2008.

It meant an immense pressure was on, as he explained to GazetteSport this week in his home club.

“The thought of not qualifying… there was

almost more pressure on the qualifier than there will be at the Olympics in a way because the thought of not qualifying after three-and-a-half years of work would be

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

‘The thought of not qualifying after three-and-a-half years’ work would be like falling off a cliff for me’

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

like falling off the edge of a cliff for me.

“In 2010 and 2011, with illness and injury, surgeries and things like that; it was dark times for me.

“You start to wonder, did I make the right

Eoin Rheinisch produced a stunning comeback from injury and illness to take one of the last two Olympic places on offer to London

decision after Beijing?

To qualify in May, there were only two spots left so it was an incredible relief.”

The upshot of his success in May means he

goes to London as the highest finisher to qualify directly of the contenders from Beijing.

Therein shows the measure of challenge ahead of Rheinisch to compete. Over the past three years, he has been forced to spend well over 200 days abroad to pursue his dream. Ireland is the only country in Europe without an artificial white-water slalom course.

Contrast with France where there are 66 courses, it shows the miraculous nature of what the Leixlip man has produced.

“France and Germany are like machines with a conveyor-belt of talent - similar to what we have here with boxing.

They just produce class act after class act, always with someone who is a medal prospect. “[Ireland not having a course] really is a shame.

Before me, we had Ian Wiley finish fifth in Atlanta and a European

champion. To not have had a course built means we don’t have access like the French.

“Ever y club there doesn’t have to move away from home and that’s why I have to be on the road over 200 days a year.”

In qualifying, he continues Salmon Leap’s incredible record of 40 continuous years of Olympic qualifiers, dating back to 1972 – an event which coincidentally also took place in Augsburg – when Howard Watkins and Gerr y Collins were among the first team.

The likes of Ian Pringle, Alan Carey, Peter Connors, Gary Mawer, Conor Maloney and Andrew Boland took up the baton before Rheinisch qualified for his first Games in 2004 in Athens.

In 2008, a medal came tantalisingly close. Lying tenth after the semi-final, his second run on the Shunyi course catapulted him up the rankings as his rivals, one by one, failed to match his dual time.

It left him still in a provisional gold medal position with four entrants still to go.

While that dream was beaten by Germany’s Alexander Grimm, a medal was still in the offing until the very last paddler crossed the line, Togo’s Benjamin Boukepti edging Rheinisch out

by three seconds.

The roller-coaster of emotion, becoming Ireland’s best ever finisher in canoe sports but missing out on the medal, left him unsure how to proceed.

“After Beijing, I didn’t know if I was going to continue or not and see if I wanted to put all my efforts in. It is quite a large part of your life so it took until that Christmas to go again. I had my doubts in 2010 and 2011 but I’m glad I did it.”

Those doubts centred on three shoulder surgeries which left him shy of fitness and made it nigh on impossible to qualify from last September’s world championships.

“I just didn’t have it in me physically having missed six months from the surgery. That was a big blow because I knew it was going to come down to the wire. There were 31 people going for two spots [in Augsburg in the qualifiers].

“With the help of the Institute of Sport and the Irish Sports Council, they put a really good team around me – physios, strength and conditioning, doctors – who all talked together and it made such a difference.

No injuries or illness to keep me on track.

“To have a full year without any interruption allowed me to have consistent blocks of training and has made the difference to getting me back to full fitness.”

FastSport

Carberry swaps horse for Galway pedal power CHAMPION jockey Nina Carberry swapped horsepower for pedal power to join the Taoiseach Enda Kenny at the launch of the new Paddy Power Race to the Races 200km cycle challenge in aid of the Irish Heart Foundation starting on July 29.

A keen cyclist, An Taoiseach was on hand to encourage participants to join the Dublin to Galway Races event for a one-day or two-day cycle by signing up to www.irishheart.ie/race2theraces .

Also joining him was bookmaker Paddy Power and activity events co-ordinator with the Irish Heart Foundation Grainne Kennedy.

Brand new on the Irish Heart Foundation calendar, the unique 200km cycle challenge takes place next week with the option of a one-day cycle on July 30 or two-day cycle starting on July 29 with an overnight stay in Athlone.

Both options include a fully supported cycle organised by 2Wheels, baggage and bike transfers, massage on arrival and race ticket entry to the Galway Races.

Fundraising targets start from €290 and money raised goes to provide vital patient information and support to thousands of heart and stroke patients nationwide. Sign up now on www. irishheart.ie/race2theraces or call Grainne on 01-6685001.

Golf course for visually impaired FINGAL County Council’s sports unit will provide a limited number of places for visually impaired persons on an eight-week course of golf lessons.

Limited to six places offered on a first-come, first-served basis, the lessons are free and will take place at Dry-

nam Park Golf Range, Feltrim Road, Swords from Wednesday, August 22 between 8-9pm.

Barry Power, resident golf professional at Drynam Park Golf Range will tutor, and the lessons are open for all levels. Clubs will be available at the driving range, and the course includes hiring 100 balls per night.

Contact Stephen McGinn on 087 986 4611 for more info.

30 LUCAN GAZETTE 19 July 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

Esker boxers enjoy Golden night in Tallaght ESKER ABC travelled to Tallaght last week to take on Golden Cobra Boxing Club in an inter club show.

Mark Bolger, Chris Roman, Kevin Reilly, Warren Keating, Dylan Reilly, Dean Keating and Ryan O’Connell stepped into the squared ring for Esker and they did not disappoint.

First up, making his debut in Esker colours was eight-year-old Kevin “the Colthurst cannonball” Reilly who looked every inch a seasoned nineyear-old in the ring.

Fourteen-year-old Chris “Count Knockula” Roman was the next Esker man to step between the ropes and “the Count” wasted no time in securing yet another good win to keep up a great run of recent form.

Warren “Big Bang” Keating only arrived in Tallaght with minutes to spare after a trip down the country. But he had his opponent in all sorts of trouble as he landed his trademark bombs.

Not to be outdone Dean Keating, Warren’s cousin, put in a very good exhibition of boxing against his more experienced Golden Cobra opponent.

Dylan Reilly and Ryan O’Connell showed in their two bouts why they have big seasons ahead of them this year. Both boys tore through their opponent’s guards to really put the decisions beyond question.

Star of the show was ten-year-old Mark “the Hammer” Bolger who produced an amazing performance to win the best away boxer.

This little ball of energy enters the Dublin leagues this year and every 11-year-old boxer in the county will be sleeping with the light on as they contemplate what lies in store for them in the season ahead.

Golden Cobra, Kilnamanagh and Mulhuddart boxing clubs visit Esker ABC in Scoil Aine Naofa this week for exhibition bouts against Esker boxers. All club members, supporters and parents are welcome to come down and watch the boys and girls in action. For information, contact Ed Griffin on 085 7480207 or Martin at 085 1794531.

There is also a show in the offing featuring Esker ABC against an Irish XI on the August 24 at Barnhall Rugby Club. More details to be announced in the next few weeks.

SOCCER: LOCAL DUO BREAK NEW GROUND FOR LUCAN UNITED

Lucan United’s Brandon Payne (left) and Conor Masterston (right) with club coach Ciaran Masterson at the club’s recent fun day

Lucan pair get Ireland call PETER CARROLL sport@gazettegroup.com

T WO Lucan United players have been selected to represent the FAI Emerging Talent Squad, for a weekend tournament that will take place in Pearse Park, Sallynoggin from Friday, August 17 to Sunday, August 19.

Brandon Payne and Conor Masterson’s selection for the Hibernia Cup squad has been heralded as “a breakthrough” by Lucan United chairman, John Doyle, and he believes the two U-14s have paved the way for future representatives in years to come.

“These lads have been with us since the nursery process and it’s amazing to see hard work paying off. This will be the first time we have ever had players representing Lucan United on the Hibernia Cup team,” Doyle told GazetteSport this week.

“It’s a huge honour, Brandon Payne scored the winner in the Kennedy Cup final and Conor Masterson has been a fantastic player both in the centre half and central midfield positions.

“They’re obviously players of great ability, but they have been

shown the right things and their fantastic talent and equally fantastic attitudes have definitely been instilled in them by their parents from a young age, as well as by the coaching staff here.

“People like Alan McGovern, who brought them through the nursery setup have always shown them the right things to do – what to eat, how much to train – to Ger Desmond who has matured them as players to Roy Shanahan, Gary Lang and Richie Farrell who have always encouraged the lads must all see this as a success for themselves too.

Payne and Masterson will be relishing the thought of playing against powerhouses such as Glasgow Celtic, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Linfield Football Club in the group stages of the tournament.

“The two lads have become role models at the club, and I’m looking at this selection as a breakthrough for our nursery program, because these things don’t happen overnight.

“The younger players will look up to the likes of Brandon and Conor now, and if they keep receiving the correct management and

guidance we can make ourselves a permanent fixture amongst the representative ranks.

“We’ve had scouts come over from England – Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, West Ham and Chelsea – looking at our players and that really shows that our system is working.

“At Lucan United, we believe that if you get the players in the right mindset and have them working on the vital basics of the game between the ages of six years old to ten years old, they can go on to achieve great things in the game.”

Kennedy claims national omnium silver sport@gazettegroup.com

IN-FORM Adamstown cyclist Roisin Kennedy claimed a silver medal at the elite women’s national omnium championships at Sundrive Velodrome last Sunday.

The championships cover six events over two days, with points awarded to each race.

Kennedy ended day one with a commanding lead in the gold medal position after two dominating displays in the two endurance races, where she lapped the field.

Day two, however, featured two technical timed events suiting track specialists and Kennedy only lost out on the gold in the final race of the day over a 500m time trial.

Day one started with a timed flying lap with Kennedy finishing in third place and went into the points race – sprints for points every four laps – determined to keep her podium position.

She went on the attack immediately after losing out on the first sprint, winning all the following points and lapping the

field to ensure her move up the podium.

The final event on day one was an elimination race with the last rider eliminated each lap. Kennedy was not prepared to risk a sprint every lap, and rode hard on the front, leading the race from lap two to the finish where she outsprinted eventual bronze medallist Suzie Mitchell to go three points clear at the top.

Day two began with a timed 3k pursuit, with Kennedy taking second place behind eventual gold medallist Sarah Piner

(Black Rose Racing).

A cagey scratch race followed with the other competitors now marking Kennedy very closely, and she was unable to get clear and again had to settle for second place.

The final event was the 500M TT and Kennedy was still in the gold position going into this short sprint event. However, as an endurance athlete, it was also her weakest event, and she could only manage fifth fastest, leaving her in the silver position after two very hard days of national racing.

19 July 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 31

FOOTBALL: LAST GASP WINNER DENIES ST PAT’S

CLUB NOTICEBOARD LUCAN SARSFIELDS WELL done to all who participated in

directed to Lisa Tuite 086-3774887 or

our first summer camp of the year

Catherine Hayes 087-6409701.

last week. With more than 160 boys

Our annual family fun day has been

and girls taking part, there was a

set for Saturday, September 15. We

great atmosphere around the club

are now looking for donations of

all week.

bottles, bags, DVDs etc for the stalls.

Congratulations to our summer

This year’s golf classic will be held

– junior player of the camp: Cian

this Friday, July 20 at Lucan golf

O’Driscoll; most improved junior

club.

player: Saoirse Balfe; junior skills

Summer opening times for our club

competition winner: Cathal Kennedy;

shop are Tuesdays 7.30 to 8.30pm and

intermediate player of the camp:

Saturday mornings (except bank

Brendan Kavanagh; most improved

holiday weekends) 10.30 to 11.30am.

intermediate player: Aoife Seery;

There will be no Thursday night

intermediate skills competition

openings for the months of June,

winner: Ciaran Skully; senior play-

July and August.

er of the camp: Jack Halpin; most

This week’s lotto numbers were

improved senior player: Ada Bowler;

6, 7, 16 and 26. There was no winner.

senior skills competition winner:

Next week’s jackpot will be €10,500.

Conor Callaghan; personality of the

Mick Mulhall’s team will be in charge

camp: Evan Flynn.

next Sunday night when our sponsor

You can still register for our

St Pat’s, Palmerstown, saw an eight-point half-time lead blow up in smoke at the hands of Cuala last Saturday

Contentious red card central to Pat’s fall St Pat’s Palmerstown Cuala

1-12 3-7

I sport@gazettegroup.com

LUKE Keating’s final kick completed a mammoth comeback as Cuala came from eight points down at half-time to stun 14-man St Pat’s Palmerstown in Glenauline Park.

It closed out a testy, highly charged tussle which the hosts looked well set to take at a canter until Damian Farren’s contentious straight red card in the 33rd minute.

A 1-2 salvo from the Dalkey side in quick succession suddenly had Pat’s reeling before Cillian O’Farrell – a 17-yearold – netted with his first kick in senior football to really tee up the closing seven minutes.

Pat’s attempts to stall their momentum could only produce a couple of contentious fouls and James Power and Keating’s pair duly saw them over the line deep into

injury time.

It was tough on Palmerstown who buzzed to a high tempo beat in the first half, buoyed by the powerful presence of intercounty hurler Liam Rushe, playing his first football game of 2012.

Despite the large tufts of cut grass lying on the pitch, they were well in control, Collie Driver’s artful right foot accounting for five neat points, both off the ground and out of the hand.

His first was sandwiched by Graham Kelly’s opener and Liam Rushe’s fisted effort before Cuala got their only score of the first half.

It came from a penalty after Scott O’Brien’s inside pass found Keating who drove goalward. Cillian McHugh got down well to save brilliantly but the ball ricocheted onto the line where Graham Dunne picked off the ground, a penalty the decision.

Power picked out the

top corner to level matters but it was as good as it got for the visitors who went into the tie without key men like John Sheanon, Paul Schutte and Conor O’Brien.

Driver added a couple while Jim Kelly was also on the mark before the pair combined for a sweet goal; the former flicked the ball around the corner for Kelly to steam in and plant home. It contributed to a 1-8 to 1-0 lead at the break and seemingly no way back in a stop-start affair with Pat’s defence seemingly impregnable.

Keating and Jim Kelly exchanged scores before the key moment as Paul

James – another Cuala newcomer – strode forward and took a hefty blow to the mid-drift from Farren’s thigh.

A very harsh red card, it opened up more avenues to attack and a couple of frees started the comeback while Niall Carthy was almost infringed before netting, 1-9 to 2-3 with minutes to go.

Driver responded to keep a safe distance clear but O’Farrell’s entrance had an almost instant impact as Carthy’s clever pass played him in.

Ronan Sweeney scored a well-worked point and Keating added his brace to snatch the late win.

will be Lucan Village Pharmacy.

remaining summer camps on our

A full list of next weekend’s fix-

website www.lucansarsfields.ie.

tures is on our website www.lucan-

The cost is €55. Any queries can be

sarsfields.ie.

ST PAT’S PALMERSTOWN A BUSY week for adult football saw

17, 26 and 28; there was no winner.

the seniors comfortably beating

The second draw winning numbers

Fingallians of Swords but losing

were 2, 13, 17 and 28; there was no

by one point to Cuala while playing

winner.

with 14 men.

The junior footballer s were

AFL DIVISION TWO

All can be left behind the bar.

camp award winners for week one

unlucky in both games, losing to Liffey Gaels and Lucan Sarsfields.

Lotto number and results: first draw winning numbers were 13,

Any three numbers winners: Joe Hall, Martin and Wally x2, Eamonn Kenny and Mary Dowling.

Next Sunday, the first draw jackpot of €10,000; second draw jackpot of €3,600.

ROUND TOWER THE senior footballers beat Erin’s Isle

This week’s lotto numbers were 7,

and Raheny in the league while the

20, 23 and 24. The bonus ball was 19.

junior As drew with Good Counsel and

There was no winner of this week’s

beat Craobh Chiaran. The Junior Bs

jackpot of €8,000.

beat Castleknock.

Congratulations to Tony Martin, Peg

The minor hurlers beat Skerries

Nolan and John Bredin who were the

Harps. All this week’s fixtures can be

three €100 match three winner. Next

found on the website.

week’s jackpot is €8,100.

There is now a dedicated Tower’s

The clubrooms are available for

match-tracker service for all teams

rental for parties, anniversaries, etc.

in Tower’s: https://twitter.com/

Please contact Jimmy behind the bar

RTowersTracker

or on 01-4592960.

The twitter account is @RTower-

Tickets will be available to collect

sTracker - we would like to include all

on Thursday evening for members

results for all teams.

who ordered their tickets before the

We encourage all mentors, juvenile

deadline on Friday evening last.

and adult, players and supporters to

Thanks to all who supported the

send in the result of your game using

Golf Classic in Castlewarden on Fri-

one of the following methods: text to

day last.

0876290870; email tracker@round-

The lotto committee are looking for

tower.ie; send a tweet to @RTower-

your assistance to sell Tower’s lotto

stracker

tickets on a Friday evening.

Follow GazetteSport on Facebook and Twitter and online at www.gazettegroup.com

ALL OF YOUR LUCAN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31

GRASSY KNOLL: St Pat’s meet their end at the death against Cuala P31

JULY 19, 2012

PADDLING FREE: Rheinisch back for third Olympics P29

sport@gazettegroup.com

LUCAN Community Games U14 camogie completed an historic three in a row of Leinster titles in Carlow on Saturday last in dramatic style.

Overcoming the tiredness from their exertions in the national Feile over the previous two days, they showed what champions are made of by digging deep and producing a performance of composure, style and above all braveness to defeat the Kilkenny champions, Thomastown.

In the semi final, Lucan played the Meath champions, Kilmessan. From the off, Kilmessan tore into Lucan and but for some excellent goalkeeping, Lucan could have been in big trouble in this one.

However, they rose to the challenge and ran out winners on a score line of 3-9 to 3-4.

It set up a final date with Thomastown from Kilkenny.

Leinster titles are not easily won and this match proved to be no different.

Thomastown started in blistering fashion and had three points on the board in the first five minutes before Lucan got any foothold in the game.

Defensively, the goal was offered fantastic protection from a tough tackling full back line.

Midfield began to get on top with experience guiding youth – Jessie McClelland, who is eligible for this competition for two more years, showing up impressively.

Lucan’s first goal was

a master class in teamwork with the ball being fed from the backs by Lucan’s captain fantastic, Katie Feeney, with the ball eventually crossed to the on-rushing Abbey O’Neill who despatched the ball to the net with the minimum of fuss. Lucan were up and running.

From then on, it was a transformed Lucan outfit. Great defensive work

by Alanna Porter led to another booming clearance from Emma O’Flynn which was gathered by the ever dangerous O’Neill to score her second goal of the match.

It helped build a strong lead but the second half was a tremendous tussle as Thomastown came right back in the game. Early pressure was expertly defended before O’Flynn

scored a brilliant free to continue Lucan’s dominance Grainne Eley fired over a classy point, too, but Thomastown followed through to score a cracking goal to reduce Lucan’s lead to two points.

O’Flynn pointed a 45 to give Lucan a little more comfort with the final truly in the melting pot.

Thomastown were only denied by a superb block

by Porter, epitomising the spirit and showing that these girls would not be defeated.

The ball broke forward and Eley rifled it over the bar to further ease Lucan’s advantage and they held firm until the final whistle to complete yet another superb showing on the Leinster community games circuit.

Lucan captain Katie Feeney receives the U-14 community games shield for the village for a third straight year

GazetteSPORT

Lucan show community spirit