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Month XX, 2012 PALMERSTOWN • CELBRIDGE • LEIXLIP • ADAMSTOWN • DODSBORO • LIFFEY VALLEY • BALLYOWEN

OUT WITH THE OLD: We look back at the highs and lows in your area, and across Dublin, in our round-up review of 2014 P4-11

Sport review:

Look back on the local highlights of the year Page 27-31

Camogie:

Sars’ Twomey leads Stars to Dublin victory Page 32

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ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES.................... 12 DUBLIN LIFE.................. 13 OUT&ABOUT ..................17 CLASSIFIEDS ................26 SPORT ...........................27

Ballot brings ‘W’ back to town  IAN BEGLEY

THE NAME Palmerstown has been returned to its former glory after a plebiscite was passed to reinstate the “W” into the town’s name. To date, the area has been known as Palmerston, but despite this residents, councillors, Dublin Bus and this newspaper commonly use Palmerstown (with a ‘w’). Out of 641 ballot papers sent on December 14, 425 Palmerstown resi-

dents voted for the plebiscite, while 17 voted against. It will now be ratified at the January county council meeting by elected members of South Dublin County Council. Palmerstown Cllr Guss O’Connell (Ind) told The Gazette: “I’ve been campaigning for this since the mid1990s so it’s great that we’ve had the ‘W’ back for Christmas. The people of the village area and all across Palmerstown are delighted.” Full Story on Page 2

Race to year’s end: Helena keeps warm at Leopardstown LUCAN’S Helena O’Toole was among those enjoying the 2014 Leopardstown Christmas Festival. Almost 58,500 people attended the racecourse over the

four-day festival that took place from December 26 to 29 which is one of the highlights of the Irish racing and social calendar. Picture: ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan

2 LUCAN Gazette 2 January 2015

FastNews

plebiscite 425 residents wanted change

Six new school projects for Dublin South-West Six new building projects for Dublin SouthWest have recently been announced by the Department of Education. This announcement is part of a national major school building project that aims to build 70 schools as part of a €2.2bn five-year plan. The project also aims to provide over 27,800 permanent school places and 3,500 jobs. This is in addition to four other building projects that were commenced or completed in Dublin South-West in 2014. The six new building projects announced are: Scoil Oscar CNS, Lucan; Scoil Caitlin Maude, Tallaght; Scoil Niamh, Citywest; Citywest Educate Together; Gaelscoil Oldbawn, Tallaght; Scoil Aoife, Tallaght West. The Department of Education has stated that these school projects will proceed to construction during 2015. Welcoming this announcement, Senator Cait Keane (FG), said: “This news is very positive and further demonstrates the Government’s commitments to delivering the ambitious school building programme announced after taking office in 2011. As the population of Dublin South-West continues to grow, there is a pressing need for more schools to serve the educational needs of a growing community. “The Government recognises the need to find the funding to advance projects where school buildings are in poor condition, as well as those which have been required purely to accommodate demographic growth. “These new projects will create employment for construction sector workers in the Dublin South-West area which will in turn have a knock-on effect on service industries in the local communities. “They will also provide much-needed schools for our children in the education system and therefore, I fully endorse this announcement,” she said. In total, there are 70 major school projects planned to proceed to construction in 2015 nationally including 44 new schools and 11 major extensions at primary level, five new schools and eight major extensions at post primary level and two new special schools.

prizes: recycling materials

Mayor praises school efforts  Ian Begley

Signs like these will now reinstate the W. Pictures: Cathy Weatherston

Letter ‘W’ returns to Palmerstown  Ian Begley

Palmerstown has been integrated as a whole once again after a plebiscite was passed to reinstate the “W” back into the town’s name. To date, the area has been known as Palmerston, but despite this residents, councillors, Dublin Bus and this newspaper commonly use Palmerstown (with a ‘w’). Out of 641 papers that were sent on December 14, 425 Palmerstown residents voted for the plebiscite, while 17 voted against. It will now be ratified at the January county council meeting by elected members of South County Dublin Council.

A motion before South Dublin County Council in 2009 to rename it failed, but in spite of this and, adding to the confusion, road signs depicting both spellings remained along the dual carriageways and the M50 motorway, which ran adjacent to the Palmerstown area. Only the lower side of Palmerstown had the chance to vote. This was because a large proportion of the upper area was not affected by the misspelling of “Palmerston Village”. Residents from the lower side had been vocal on this issue since the mid-1990s and had long awaited an opportunity to settle this mat-

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ter once and for all. Palmerstown councillor Guss O’Connell (Ind) told The Gazette that he greatly welcomes the residents’ decision. He said: “I’ve been campaigning for this since the mid-90s so it’s great that we’ve had the ‘W’ back for Christmas. The people of the village area and all across Palmerstown are delighted. “It will now be ratified at the January meeting. I was the only councillor at the count, but it was an excellent result and a very high poll. “It’s a very big issue in Palmerstown and it’s something that people are extremely happy about. “2015 is something that we can all look forward to as an integrated community once again. “Naturally enough people in the village area have made the most complaints as that is the only local place

that has been specifically mis-named. “The last plebiscite took place in 2009 and did not succeed as just under 50% of those entitled to vote did so. “Unfor tunately, unlike a referendum where a simple majority of those who actually vote determines the outcome, for a plebiscite more than 50% of those with a vote is required,” said Cllr O’Connor. Local Cllr Danny O’Brien (SF) also welcomed the plebiscite, saying: “It’s good for the people in Palmerstown and I don’t know why it was ever changed – it was a historical error more than anything. “If you asked someone whether they live in Palmerstown or Palmerston everyone would say Palmerstown. “It’s a good result for the people of Palmerstown to finally get their name back, said Cllr O’Brien.

South Dublin County mayor Fintan Warfield (SF) recently presented two schools from Lucan and Clondalkin with prizes for their efforts in making Christmas decorations out of recycled materials. Many primary schools around the county took part in the annual Christmas Decoration Recycling Competition which was to teach young people how to reduce, reuse and recycle old household materials. First place went to Karl O’Neill, Tariq Al Mugheiry, Thomas Connolly and Aman Song from St Ronan’s National School in Clondalkin, with three students from St Joseph’s College in Lucan receiving third place. Mayor Warfield said: “Handmade decorations are so precious. Every time you make a decoration or anything from ordinary household recyclable materials, you are helping the environment and creating something unique that can be given as gifts to your family. Once you get into the habit of thinking that way, there is no limit to the things you can create by up-cycling items and making them into new items. “I am delighted to be here to present the prizes to the winners of the Christmas Decorations Competition. Let’s make 2015 the year that the young people lead the way by example in waste prevention and reduce, reuse and recycle,” he said.

2 January 2015 LUCAN Gazette 3

broadcast Local girl says performance was an experience she will not forget

Laoise lives her dream with Imelda May duet  Ian Begley ibegley@dublingazette.com

An eight-year-old girl from Lucan had her dream come true recently by singing with rockabilly star Imelda May on RTE’s Una’s Dream Ticket. Laoise Newby, who is a pupil at Griffeen Valley Educate Together, donned

her own Imelda quiff and performed a duet in front of a live studio audience. She was picked from over 850 applicants as a “Dreamer” on the show which was broadcast on RTE over the Christmas period.

Shocked On the show, Laoise said that she knows the words to

overcrowding: new 25C bus route proposed

Bus service set to be increased  Ian Begley ibegley@dublingazette.com

In an effort to tackle overcrowding on local bus services in Lucan the National Transport Authority (NTA) is increasing the volume of bus routes 25a and 25b to and from Lucan. The NTA wrote a letter to the administrative officer of South Dublin County Council following a motion that was passed in October addressing the need for additional bus routes and buses in the Lucan area. It was also proposed that a new 25c bus route from Adamstown to the city centre would be deployed. The director of public transport services, Anne Graham, stated that: “The authority is aware of the capacity issues that have arisen in the Lucan area and in particular on routes 25a and 25b. “This is, however, generally an issue for a limited part of the morning peak period only. The authority has sanctioned the deployment of additional capacity on route 25a and 25b which in its view will meet this

increased demand. “The authority is not satisfied that there is a requirement for the deployment of a complete additional service into the network via the Newcastle Road to the N4. “The introduction of such a service will have an impact on the current routes 25a and 25b and on rail services between Adamstown and Dublin City.” We l c o m i n g t h i s announcement, Lucan Cllr William Lavelle (FG) said: “I welcome the NTA’s decision to sanction extra buses for the 25a and 25b routes. However, I am awaiting further details of what exactly is planned from the chief executive of Dublin Bus. “I have been lobbying for extra buses for Lucan, to help address overcrowding on bus services and at bus stops such as Willsbrook and to help in tackling traffic problems. While any extra buses are welcome, it won’t stop me continuing to push for even better services for all parts of Lucan,” said Cllr Lavelle.

every song Imelda has ever written and was “shocked” when she found out she would perform with her favourite musician. Her mother Grainne told The Gazette that she was really chuffed with herself and it was an experience she will never forget. “I think the reason she was picked was because Laoise

wanted to sing with Imelda and not just meet her. “I had filmed her reaction in the car on my phone. She hadn’t a clue and her reaction was priceless when she opened up the dream ticket. “They did her makeover in a vintage shop in town and afterwards we had to go to RTE where she got to meet

Imelda. “She was absolutely great leading up to the show, but to be honest I wouldn’t do it myself because it was really nerve racking. “It was a live audience and the nerves were kicking in but in fairness she got on great and if you could do something like this at eight years old you’re destined to

go on to great things. “When she came out of the studio Imelda’s guests like Sinead O’Connor, The Strypes, and Paul Brady gave her a big round of applause. “When she gets back to school I’m sure she’ll be really popular and will be talking about this experience for years to come,” she said.

Gazette

4 LUCAN Gazette 2 January 2015

2014

Gazette review of the year that was from around dublin

TOP STORIES: october to december

Long housing lists, beach project and Irish Water OCTOBER Death of young boy in Shankill

OCTOBER brought sad news of the death of twoyear-old Muhammad Hassan Khan in his home in Shankill on October 16. Gardai received a call on that date about an incident at an apartment in Ballybrack shortly before 2pm. On arrival at the scene, they found Hassan Khan, who was later pronounced dead. The child’s mother Hazel Waters (46), originally from Dalkey, was taken to Dun Laoghaire Garda Station where she was arrested on suspicion for her son’s murder on October 17. The child was known to gardai. In August a Child Rescue Ireland alert was issued relating to him. Cllr Barry Ward (FG) said: “Serious questions must be asked of the HSE and the Child and Family Agency, Tusla.”

Serious assault of young woman THIs month also saw a serious assault on a woman in Tir na nOg

Park in Car penterstown prompting calls for lighting. A woman in her 30s was attacked on her way through the park at around 7.30am. This was followed a week later by a naked man found lurking around prefabs at Castleknock Community College near the attack site. Fingal County Council has stated it is confident that the installation of lighting in the park will be included in the 2015 budget. An investigation into both incidents was launched and gardai released a photo-fit and description of the man who attacked the woman at Tir na nOg Park. The assailant remains unknown and at large.

Surcharges on Leap Cards R etailers w h o charged an extra 50c on Leap Card transactions faced having the facility withdrawn by the National Transport Authority. A number of newsagents in Dublin’s City add a 50c surcharge per Leap Card transaction. According to one

newsagent situated in a prime city centre location, they added the charge recently because of the low margin being made through the facility and how time consuming it is for staff. However, the National Transport Authority, which has statutory responsibility for the Leap Card, said that if a shop has a general policy to surcharge low value credit/debit card transactions this was “considered to be a matter for the shop” as long as “the surcharge isn’t specific to Leap Card”. “However if stores apply a surcharge to cash transactions the authority reserves the right to withdraw the shop’s Leap Card agency.”

NOVEMBER Opposition to water charges Despite dismal weather, November 1 marked a major protest for those against the water charges and the establishment of Irish Water, with over 100,000 taking to the streets across Dublin.

National Transport Authority frowns on Leap Card surcharge

A major protest against water charges and the establishment of Irish streets across Dublin. Picture: Denise Parker Founder of Pieta House Joan Freeman announced that she was stepping down as chief executive



Two-year-old Hassan Khan: found

The Urban Beach Project proposed for Dun Laoghaire harbour which

dead in his home in Shankill

has received planning permission

Areas such as Crumlin, Cabra, Drimnagh, Donnybrook, Finglas, Harold’s Cross, Phibsborough, Ringsend all voiced their opposition with slogans such as “From the River to the Sea, Irish Water will be Free” and “Axe the Jacks Tax”, while others chanted “No Way, We Won’t Pay”. Protesters from Cabra and Stoneybatter joined up with others from East Wall and the North Inner City to form a 2,000strong march into the city centre. Some 8,000 people protested in Dublin 8 and 12.

Thousands took to O’Connell Street with others heading to the Dail on Kildare Street. Nationally Right2Water organisers estimated that 150,000 people protested across Ireland with more than 100 demonstrations nationally on November 1.

Over 8,400 on housing list In November, it was revealed that South Dublin’s local authority housing list had 8,433 applications outstand-

ing, with an average waiting time of six and a half years, according to local authority figures. At the time there were 52 vacant houses in the county of which 11 were in Clondalkin. According to the council, in response to motions tabled by Cllr Guss O’Connell (Ind) and Cllr Ed O’Brien (FF), 4,744 residents have expressed an interest in being housed north of the Naas Road. The council no longer records specific areas so it was not possible to say how many wanted to be

housed in Clondalkin itself, but the local authority stated that the social housing stock figures at end of October were 9,003. S i n c e N ove m b e r 11, 236 housing applicants were living in Clondalkin. Council chief executive Daniel McLoughlin said: “I would point out that 53% of the lettings made to housing applicants have been made as a result of the applicant having a priority status, eg homeless, medical etcetera. The council would

not have information on vacant private dwellings.”

December Beach project gets approval

Water took place with over 100,000 taking to the

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In December the latest design for the Urban Beach Project proposed for Dun Laoghaire harbour received planning permission from Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. However, reaction among local politicians to the decision to grant planning for the badeschiff was mixed and an appeal to An Bord Pleanala was said to be forthcoming within weeks. The proposed badeschiff project will be jointly funded by the council and Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, if plan-

ning is finalised following any an Bord Pleanala appeal. Gerry Dunne, chief executive of the harbour company, welcomed the council’s planning approval. So did Cllr Patricia Stewart (FG), who said it was “an exciting new development”. Cllr Victor Boyhan (Ind) said objectors to the badeschiff would prefer to see Dun Laoghaire Baths redeveloped. He added: “The planning process for the proposed €2.5m urban beach and outdoor pool has not yet concluded, therefore no funding from the council should be forthcoming.”

Charity founder steps down In December founder of Pieta House Joan Free-

man announced that she was stepping down as chief executive to bring the suicide prevention and intervention model overseas to ex-pats living in New York. In 2006, Freeman set up Pieta House, the centre for the prevention of self-harm or suicide, in Lucan after seeing a gap in services for people in suicide distress and having personally witnessed suicide. Now, after almost nine years at the helm, Freeman has decided to step away from her role as chief executive of Pieta House, which now has nine centres around the country. She will take the model to Irish people living in New York by setting up three centres within Irish immigration centres there.

Homelessness grows by 20% Figures from the Dublin Region Homeless Executive show the number of people sleeping rough on the streets of Dublin grew by 20% since the same time last year. These new statistics came just before John Corrie, a homeless man, was found dead on Molesworth Street, a few metres from Leinster House. The homeless executive said 168 people slept rough across the Dublin region on November 11. In the same month last year, 139 people were sleeping rough. This is a rise of 20% – or an extra 29 people without a roof over their

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Gazette

2 January 2015 gazette 11

heads. On the night of the count, 1,526 adult individuals were put up in homeless accommodation across Dublin. At the time, Mike Allen, Focus Ireland’s director of advocacy, said: “The continuing rise of people sleeping rough is very worrying and unacceptable.” The following week, an emergency homeless summit was held and was attended by Minister for the Environment and Local Government Alan Kelly, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin and chief executives of all four Dublin local authorities. In response to the forum, an additional 260 beds were to be m a d e av a i l a b l e t o homeless people by the end of the year.

12 GAZETTE 2 January 2015

GAZETTEGALLERY

Kerrie McGrath and Maria Garcea doing their bit for Move4Parkinson’s at the Church of the Ascension of the Lord, Balally, Sandyford. Picture: Geraldine Woods Spot the students: Savannah Kavanagh, Mia Robins, Owen Maughan, Jack McNally and Karim Ghanem at Ballinteer Community School’s Christmas fair. Picture: Geraldine Woods

CHRISTMAS: SPECIAL EFFORTS FOR WORTHY CAUSES

Festive fundraising

Members of the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown branch of the Guide Dogs for the Blind, secretary Georgina Bowers, chairperson Clarissa Morrow and comittee member Patricia Reid at a fundraiser in the Mill Theatre. Picture: Rose Comiskey

Annmarie Corcoran and Karen Nelson at An Evening of Song in aid of Temple Street Children’s Hospital at St

Joan Parsons and Therese King at a table quiz and Christmas wine tasting at The

Andrew’s Church, Main Street, Lucan. Picture: Jolanta Rossiter

National Maritime Museum at Eblana Club, Dun Laoghaire. Picture: Geraldine Woods

2 January 2015 Gazette 13

escape the mayhem P15

dublinlife

asdfsdaf business P27 P16

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

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Gazette

resolutions P14

what’son trad fest to feature top acts: January

Actor Adam Weafer who plays David Hennessy, a spoiled and selfish pub manager, in TV3’s Red Rock

A DAY IN THE LIFE: Adam Weafer talks about work on TV3’s first ever soap

Lights, camera and action  Keith Bellew

Tv3’s first ever soap, Red Rock, which revolves around a busy Dublin Garda station, airs this month. This week the Gazette met Adam Weafer who plays the part of David Hennessy, the spoiled and selfish manager of a pub, to talk about a Day in the Life on set. Weafer said shoots usually begin at about 7am: “I’m not too far away [from the set] so I get up around half five and have a nice breakfast and get out there nice and early. “I’ve been doing a fitness regime for a while now so it’s important to be consist-

ent and not just eat stuff on the go. “I just have a nice breakfast and maybe bring something in with me. You have to show up prepared, because the amount of months and hours put into it. When you are on camera you would want to be on your game.” Shoots start early in the morning and last throughout the day right up until the evening. Weafer said: “Sometimes you are there until about 8 or 9 o’clock but sometimes you’re only in for a few scenes but I’m happy enough to be in there all day every day. “A lot of the time in between scenes

when I am not actually on camera I just spend time hanging around the other scenes because I am constantly learning and I don’t want to take any of that for granted. I want to be constantly around it, learning new tips. “I would spend a lot of time having the banter with the other actors in the green room. But it’s nice to stay around the camera and stay around the director seeing how other people do it as well. “We would usually get off at 7 or 8 o’clock and then it takes about an hour to get home. Luckily it helps skip the traffic. If I have a bit of energy left in me I would go to my local gym or if the lads are playing a bit of

football, meet up with them. “You are tired enough after it and you would be well able to go to bed straight away, but I go to the gym, play football with the lads or spend a bit of time with the family: kind of wind down and talk about the day, and talk about their day and just have a chat and a laugh with each other. “Maybe an hour or two before bed I just read over the scripts for the next day and then maybe wind down and play a bit of guitar.” Red Rock starts on TV3 on Wednesday, January 7 at 8.30pm, and will continue to air every Wednesday and Thursday from then.

2015 marks the 10th year of the Temple Bar TradFest. The festival, which runs from January 28 to February 1 showcases the full spectrum of traditional and folk music in a number of venues. It features performances from established artists along with newcomers, giving new voices a chance to be heard as part of this internationally renowned musical celebration. TradFest also offers a full programme of events suitable for families including banjo workshops, a children’s ceili, petting farm and more. This year’s acts include Sweeney Men, Liam Flynn, Paddy Glackin and Neil Martin, Levellers, Hot House Flowers, The Undertones, Beoga and Big Band, and many others. One of the biggest events, Live At The Hub, takes place at The Vat House on January 29 from 10.30pm to 11pm. This free show gives you a chance to see some of the best new musicians on today’s trad and folk music scene. For more information visit www.templebartrad.com.

14 Gazette 2 January 2015

Gazette

dublinlife United in desire to meet needs of their electorate WITH politicians regularly resolving to make changes, we asked several senior politicians from around Dublin about their (political) New Year’s resolution for 2015 ....

deputy shane ross (ind) IN THE first six months of 2015, I want to be part of the creation of a new, independent force in Irish public life – Ireland needs to banish the politics of Fianna Fail/Fine Gael and Labour forever. Secondly, in January, I will renew the campaign against the property tax and any other of the coalition government’s taxes that discriminate against residents of south Dublin. My third New Year’s resolution is that we should all together fight against the continued party-political patronage that contaminates our country. Imagine if we could make 2015 the year when we finally cracked cronyism! Locally, I will resolve to resist all efforts to close Glenalbyn Swimming Pool, to lobby the new

Garda commissioner, Noreen O’Sullivan, and Assistant Commissioner John Twomey to make the Dundrum/Kilmacud/ Ballinteer and Churchtown areas safer places to live, and to reconsider the closure of Stepaside Garda Station.

joan burton, tanaiste and minister for social protection MY NEW Year’s Resolution is to work every day in 2015 to make it the year when families and households in Dublin West and around the country can say they have started to feel the recovery in their everyday lives. I believe the year ahead offers us many reasons to be positive and confident about our country’s prospects. We ’ ve m a d e r e a l progress in creating jobs, and we have started the work of lifting people’s living standards. But the work isn’t done until every person, every family, and every community feels the benefits of this growth.

In 2015, families will start in a small way to see the dividend from the recovery, with a rise in child benefit to come into effect from January, and reductions in the universal social charge and income tax that will put extra money in every worker’s pocket. Building more new schools and hiring more teachers, investing €800m to help build more homes, investing in our health services, and, most of all, creating more jobs – these are things I am determined to advance in the New Year. For Dublin West in particular, the New Year, for me, is also about investing in our community, with new school buildings going ahead locally, Connolly Hospital to see work start on a new unit, and – I am confident – bringing more new jobs for Dublin West.

deputy joe higgins (SP) IN 2015, the Government will be expecting us to pay water charges. I and other activists locally

are advocating the mass non-payment of the water charges when the bills come in the spring. The Dublin 15 area was very strong in the non-payment boycott that defeated the charges in the 1990s and, given the big opposition we’ve seen in the last months of 2014, I expect Dublin 15’s opposition to continue to be strong in 2015. People in our area have been hit by savage austerity for years now and are saying enough is enough. The inability of people in Dublin West to get a home due to the Government’s inadequate housing policy will unfortunately continue into 2015. Myself, Deputy Ruth Coppinger (SP) and the AAA councillors will continue to fight for the building of council homes to end the horrific waiting list and to make housing affordable and attainable for all. I and my Socialist Party colleagues will be continuing our work to build a socialist alternative where our world is ruled for the billions, and not the billionaires.

deputy clare daly (ind)

Shane Ross: “Cracking cronyism”

Joan Burton: “Feeling the recovery”

I AM hoping to make 2015 the year when Irish people, having got up off their knees and onto the streets, deliver the knockout blow to Irish Water, and the Government. If those in power are crazy enough to send out new “application packs”, followed by water bills

a new year

Joe Higgins: “Enough is enough”

Clare Daly: “Lame duck administration”

Leo Varadkar: “Stabilise health service”

Alex White: “Definitive energy policy”

in the spring, then I will assist in building a mass campaign of civil disobedience and non-payment, which will make the charge uncollectible. Our campaign in Fingal, along with the other two Dublin county councils in the 1990s, resulted in the abolition of water charges for the whole country. This time, it is even easier – with [a general] election on the horizon, there is no way that they can enforce this charge, which does not have the mandate of the people. The Government is a lame-duck administration now, and my resolution is that we see them off so we can begin to build a better future for all citizens – not just [get] broken promises and spin.

leo varadkar, Health minister MY TOP political New Year resolution is to stabilise the health service and try to bring about some real improvements. It’s a huge task and there really aren’t any overnight solutions. But I

would love to see the first phase of universal health care being brought in, by providing GP care without fees to the oldest and youngest in society. I also want to see the health service making progress on the issue of delayed discharges, where people who should be discharged from hospital are kept in their beds because there is no nursing home place or home care package for them. On a personal level, I want to start keeping a diary or a journal. In politics, so much happens in a short space of time, and you don’t always remember everything exactly as it happened. Also, although I’m the Minister for Health, I haven’t been able to exercise quite as much in this new job. So, in 2015, I intend to get back to eating healthily and taking lots of exercise. I think I’ll also give up alcohol for a while as well. I usually do that during January or Lent, and it’s a good mental and physical discipline.

Alex White, Energy minister AS MINISTER for Energy, I will be focusing on publishing a definitive energy policy for Ireland in 2015. The policy will outline measures to ensure that Ireland’s energy supply is sustainable, secure and affordable in the coming decades, and practical actions to address the challenges of climate change will be at the heart of the policy. Locally, I aim to maintain the momentum that the Government has made in tackling unemployment. In the past year, there was a near 7% drop in the numbers signing on the Live Register at Nutgrove Social Welfare Office. I will work to stimulate our local economy so that it can create jobs at an even faster pace throughout in 2015. On a personal note, I’m looking forward to another great sporting year, especially the forthcoming 2015 Rugby World Cup, where I hope Ireland will make a serious impact.

2 January 2015 Gazette 15

escape the mayhem: Comedian, broadcaster, writer Colm O’Regan slows down on the pitch

‘Five-a-side footie is what clears my head’  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

Comedian, broadcaster and writer Colm O’Regan is a busy man. His latest book, The Christmas Book of Irish Mammies, was published recently. The Gazette caught up with O’Regan and quizzed him on how he escapes the mayhem of his often hectic life. He said: “The time when I’m truly thinking about one thing only is when I’m playing five-aside football. “Then I’m thinking of nothing else apart from that task or that pass and if I worry it’s about whether or not we’re

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going to equalise. “For me that’s unwinding because I never think about anything [at all]. “ T h e r e ’s a l s o t h e combination of physical activity and endorphins and the fresh air which makes it all a great setup. “There are other things I’d love to do but that’s one of those I get to do and is probably the main one. “A l s o , i f I ’ m o n my way somewhere, cycling, I can be lost [in thought] for a while in between the traffic lights…Again, exercise is the key thing there. “When I’m onstage

as a comedian and a gig is going well, then I’m actually unwound because it’s a combination of not thinking about any thing else and being completely present. “That’s when I feel most relaxed. “Other times are when I’m writing. “I’ve written three books and in order to really get into a place where I won’t be dossing or checking my phone I go up to an isolated farmhouse in Roscommon that a friend of mine has where he grows organic vegetables. “It’s sometimes available for renting; but dur-

ing off-peak times I go up there and I’ve written the bulk of all three books over the course of three or four days there. There is no television or distractions there so it’s where I completely get away from it all. “Another place where I’m quite relaxed is the train as there’s something about the landscape rushing past that makes you feel that you’re in a parallel present where nothing external is really happening to you. You’re just observing it all.”

Comedian, broadcaster and writer Colm O’Regan

Gazette

FEATURE

Gazette

16 Gazette 2 January 2015

dublinlife

Q&A

A tireless passion for health and exercise AS FOUNDER of Fingal Kettlebells and Fingal Running, Donabate man Dinny Collins teaches classes and trains clients across the Fingal area. Passionate about sport and heallth and fitness, Collins trains in all weathers, indulging his interests in sports in everything from golf and surfing to triathlon, swimming and bodyweight

training – sports that he also indulges from the comfort of the couch, where he watches many sports on television, especially Moto GP. This wide-ranging passion for sport and exercise influences his work, where he says: “Humans are made to move, and when you get moving you are happier and a hell of a lot healthier.”

How long have you been in business?

tivise people to train regularly. For example, clients only pay for their first two classes per week, and the rest are free. I also use deal sites to try bring new customers into Fingal Kettlebells.

What makes your business successful?

I try to add a personal touch where my clients are concerned. I get to know them well and their needs and try to motivate and help them achieve their goals. I’m flexible and always available, and I think that really helps to make any business successful. I also try to make fitness fun, and get everyone to have good craic at my classes.

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

My job is exercise and fitness, but it’s also my lifestyle and passion. This allows me to create interesting and challenging but also very effective workouts for my clients. Week upon week, I invent new workouts to test my crew. Again, I try to always have a fun element to the workout.

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

I would like Fingal County Council to change its bye laws and allow exercise classes to take place in parks and beaches. I put a petition together with more than 2,000 signatures, but nothing came of it.

What is your ambition for the business?

Obviously, I would love my business to grow and expand as any business owner would. I work hard and strive to run a great business and so far that’s exactly what I have, which is so great. Some day I would love to have my own gym also.

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

How has the recession affected your business?

I get to work with and train local people, which is cool. I have a great reputation in the Fingal area, which helps as people are constantly referring new clients to me. Also, because I have classes in Swords, Malahide, Donabate and Rush, I’m always on the move.

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

What is the best piece of business advice you ever received?

Well, things definitely went quiet for a little while, like they did for everyone. Saying that, I always had a core group that I retained which kept things ticking over when times were very hard in the country.

My prices are very competitive and I also have special offers to incen-

Hotel barometer registers optimism SOME 90% of Irish hotels and guesthouses are more optimistic going into 2015, according to the latest “hotel barometer” report from the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF). Central Statistics Office figures show overseas visitors up more than 8%, and 86%

dinny collins, founder, fingal kettlebells

I have been in business since 2010.

business

Being your own boss can be harder than having one, but sometimes it’s easier, too.

of hoteliers are reporting an increase in business levels for 2014. The sector is benefiting from increased levels of tourism from all key markets, including North America (up 15%), Britain (up 8%) and Continental Europe (up 6%). There is also cause for

optimism in the home market following years of subdued consumer confidence, with people gradually starting to take more trips at home and spend more money in the local economy. This has been evident in the run-up to Christmas, with 84% of hoteliers reporting that

Christmas bookings – including parties – are either the same as or better than last year’s figures (2013). The hotel barometer shows that this is contributing to further jobs growth with two out of three (66%) hotels and guesthouses taking on additional staff in 2014.

draft: proposals cover grocery goods players

Regulations are a way to support sustainable food sector DRAFT regulations aimed at regulating certain practices in the grocery goods sector were published by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton recently. This follows on from the enactment of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014. The draft regulations are aimed at rebalancing relationships between different players in the grocery goods sector, and ensuring that dealings in the sector are fair and sustainable and operate in the interests of jobs, consumers and sustainable safe food. They are being issued for consultation and submissions are being sought from interested parties before February 27. Among the areas covered by the draft regulations are requirement for

grocery goods contracts to be in writing; requirement for good faith, transparency, openness and fairness in grocery goods dealings; restrictions on unilateral changes to grocery goods contracts; restrictions on payment for shelf space, marketing costs, advertising costs, wastage and shrinkage, and a requirement for records to be retained for inspection and regular compliance statements to be made. Minister Bruton said that, earlier in 2014: “through the Competition and Consumer Protection Act we introduced powerful new investigation and enforcement powers to help ensure fairness between suppliers and retailers in the grocery goods sector. “That Act also gave us the power to introduce strong regulations to gov-

Minister Richard Bruton: “New legal provisions require that in future contracts must be in writing.”

ern relationships in this area. There is potentially a real inequality between these players which can be abused in a manner that is not in the interests of jobs, consumers or sustainable safe food. “I am publishing the draft regulations that will guard against that. “Relationships will continue to be based on commerce and prices will continue to be set by hard negotiations – this is in the interests of consumers. “However, new legal provisions will require that, in future, contracts must be in writing; certain terms must be included;

records must be retained for inspection and a compliance statement must be made. “These measures, together with strong enforcement powers, will ensure that these relationships are fair and sustainable. “I look forward to hearing feedback from all stakeholders in this area before making decisions on the final regulations for implementation during 2015,” said Minister Bruton. Those interested in engaging with the consultation process can do so at www.djei.ie.

2 January 2015 Gazette 17

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asdfsdaf P27 cinema P23

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



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Pets handsome scamp Elmo needs a home

Cinderella, played by Megan Cassidy (above), will be looking for her Prince Charming at the Helix this January

Look behind you? No! look ahead to fun in 2015 and start with the theatre

It’s all over bar the panto  Laura Webb

Christmas is over. Oh no it isn’t! Well, actually it is. But that doesn’t mean the Christmas spirit has to come to a sudden stop and that’s where the panto comes in. All across Dublin, families will be looking for a nice family day/ night out and what better way to spend the new year than at a good aul-fashioned pantomime. This week, The Gazette looks at capital pantos taking place across the city. Peter Pan starring Love/Hate actor Johnny Ward continues at the Gaiety Theatre until January 25. Extra dates for this panto were recently added due to demand. Tickets for the event can be booked through ticketmaster.ie, at the Gaiety box office or online at www.gaietythe-

atre.ie The Olympia is running its annual panto until January 4. This year Linda Martin stars as Get Lucky in Aladdin. She is joined by Simon Delaney as The Genie, Fair City’s Ryan Andrews as Aladdin, Panto Dame Al Porter as Nurse Polly and the latest pop sensations Hometown. Tickets cost between €22 and €36 and are available via ticketmaster.ie and usual Ticketmaster outlets including the Olympia Theatre Box office. Meanwhile, TheatreworX productions is back with its seventh panto at The Helix. This year, the production company showcases its comedic adaptation of Cinderella, played by Megan Cassidy. She is joined by Chris Currid who

plays Prince Charming, while panto stalwarts and audience favourites Eoin Cannon and Aidan Mannion return as Cinders’ Ugly sisters. This panto is set to run until January 11. For further information including booking, see: www.thehelix.ie The Coolmine Panto Group return to Draiocht Theatre in Blanchardstown with its rendition of Jack and the Beanstalk. All is not well in Happy Valley where Mother Magee lives with her son Jack. Crops and livestock seem to be vanishing while the King’s golden-egg laying hen has disappeared. With fears that their cow, Daisy, is next Jack tries to find a solution and soon finds magic beans that begin his magical adventure. This panto runs from January 3 to 18. See www.draio-

cht.ie for ticket and booking details. For their 12th annual pantomime, Arclight and Paul Cullen presents The Panto of Oz at the Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire. See Dorothy and her friends go over the rainbow to Oz to a weird and wacky world of wizards and wicked witches. This runs from January 20-24 see: www. paviliontheatre.ie for booking details. TV presenter Alan Hughes returns as Sammy Sausage to the Tivoli Theatre stage for the annual panto. This year the Cheerio’s panto is Cinderella written by Karl Broderick. Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh is the Evil Stepmother, Mrs Brown’s Boys star Rory Cowan is Barbie and Rob Murphy is Buffy. This show runs until January 12. For booking details see: www.panto.ie

the Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week this week is young Elmo, a 17-week-old Collie puppy who came into us with his four litter mates in October. He lives on our main viewing corridor and adores his kennel mates, who are a mix of different pups. Elmo doesn’t like to be separated from his new friends, and for this reason, he would be best rehomed to a home with an existing dog. A home with older children would also be ideal, as he will need a little space to settle in at first. Collies are very intelligent meaning anyone interested in training would adore Elmo as he will need both physical and mental exercise. If you think you can offer Elmo the home he deserves, then please call Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000 or pop into the centre. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE.

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18 Gazette 2 January 2015

OUT&ABOUT .99

ss €34

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ce Neckla

€19.9

ce Neckla

€14.9

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ings €

rr 2 X Ea

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New Roger & Gallet 30ml bottles are pretty portable THEIR fragrances are known for capturing nature’s best scents, and now Roger & Gallet have captured it all in a new-look 30ml bottle – meaning handbags don’t need to be suitcases to carry a fragrance. Their new fragrance bottles are taller, slimmer and that little bit more elegant, offering a sense of luxury and style. Not only is this bottle great for a small handbag, but it is the perfect travel-size for a mini-break. The range is available in Bois d’Orange, Citron, Gingembre Rouge, Rose (above), Rose Imaginaire, Gingembre (below), Fleur d’Osmanthus and Fleur d’Figuier. Roger & Gallet’s new-look fragrance is available from M&S beauty halls and selected pharmacies nationwide, with a RRP of €19.90.

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Hurrah for H&M  laura webb

QUEUES formed outside the front steps of the newest retail gem to hit the streets of Dublin, and cheers of delight from fashionistas were heard across the city, when H&M College Green finally opened its

doors recently. In the lead-up to the opening, a giant red hanger was guarded by security in anticipation of its opening. When the doors finally swung open, no one was disappointed by the interior of the old Ulster Bank building with original features firmly on show across its

high ceilings, alongside quirky features, such as the old vaults in the basement featuring menswear, which has the largest H&M selection in Ireland. Fitting rooms were also a delight, with a New York-style layout where there are individual fitting rooms circling a large seating area for friends

to sit as they wait to see new looks coming from behind the curtains. This is one of nine such stores across the world, and the fashion is on a par with the decor. The outlet also has a large shoe section – a first – and it stocks the Trends collection, which is hard to find because once it’s gone, it’s gone. H&M Col-

lege Green also has an extensive sportswear section which is both stylish and comfortable – a perfect combination for any fitness addict. So, in celebration of this new store, this week, Gazette Style showcases some of our

favourite items available at H&M (subject to availability).

Handbag €24.99

Leather shoes €69.99

Leather sandalette €59.99

Shoes €29.99

2 January 2015 Gazette 19

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Sports tights €34.99

STYLE Help for luscious lips  laura webb

Sports top €24.99

A MATTE lipstick often fails to condition the lips, but Elizabeth Arden has a new colour-moisturising lipstick in matte. This lipstick is available in luxury colours – bold red, raspberry, coral crush, rose petal and nude – and also has a lustrous, moisturising formula. The formula features flexible satin-pigments where matte, pure pigments are encapsulated in an emollient protective film to allow for a comfortable, non-drying, suede-like finish. Its 12-hour we a r a n d fade-resist

complex means this lipstick keeps its colour for longer. The trademark Maxilip boosts lips with a 60% increase in moisturisation for fuller, healthier, plumper lips. Finally, the smoothing butter complex has a natural trio of mango, shea and murumuru butters, which infuse lips with nourishing conditioning and soothing oils, while argon oil and Vitamin E provide antioxidant protection. Sure, what more could you want in a lipstick? It’s av a i l a b l e a t Elizabeth Arden counters from January, with a RRP of €26.

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20 Gazette 2 January 2015

OUT&ABOUT

TRAVEL

france: fantastic short ski breaks in the beautiful snowy slopes of Morzine

Kick-start your new year in a winter wonderland

 Ian Begley

What better way to kickstart the New Year than to take an unforgettable ski vacation in the winter wonderland of Morzine, France. Highlife Ski and Snowboard are offering fantastic short ski breaks in the iconic mountain region with scheduled flights and short one-hour transfers from Geneva Airport,

Morzine. Swift transfers will whisk you directly to your very own winter wonderland - a warm and cosy chalet, nestled in the centre of town with excellent facilities amongst the beautiful snowy slopes where you’ll spend a further three nights. With pre-ordered equipment and lift passes, a ski holiday with Highlife means that you can head straight

for the slopes. Each chalet offers your very own host and chalet chef who will be on-hand throughout your stay to serve delicious food and good wine. During your chalet stay you will wake to hearty breakfasts each morning and be sent packing for an exhilarating day on the untouched slopes. Freshly baked treats will await you on your

return as well as an inviting range of post-ski pampering facilities including saunas and hot tubs allowing you to fully relax and unwind. Savour freshly prepared three-course meals by your chef each evening followed by a cheese board and complimentary bar in your chalet so you can enjoy apres ski evenings chilling out by the log fire at no additional cost. Take advantage of Highlife Ski Discovery Tours during your stay, the aim of which is to suggest nice looped routes so that guests can enjoy some of the best runs in the area. They also give tips for places to enjoy some nice food or a drink and to meet other Highlife skiers at similar levels. With prices available at €529 per person for a three-night break and €689 per person for a four-night break, rates also include mini-coach transfers to and from your chalet, great accommodation with facilities including saunas, hot tubs and log fires, delicious food, a complimentary bar and an exceptional level of service. With three-day ski packs including a lift pass, skis and ski boots for just €153, an all-inclusive package can cost as little as €800 per person for a three-day break. Highlife will also organise your flights from any point of departure to ensure that you enjoy flexibility as well as the lowest possible airfares. For full details on High-

Guests can enjoy a wide range of skiing terrain suitable for skiers and snowboarders

life’s range of ski chalet holidays in France visit www.highlife.ie. Powder Byrne Properties is also offering people the chance to own a slice of Alpine heaven with its new and exciting property project. Chesa Araus will occupy a prime position in the heart of the Swiss alpine village, offering families a unique opportunity to invest in this attractive and exclusive year-round resort. Situated at 1,800m at the end of the Schanfigg Valley, this stunning resort sits high amongst the impressive Graubun-

den mountains in one of Switzerland’s most prestigious locations. A popular ski destination for over 100 years, Arosa continues to be frequented by celebrities and European royals attracted by the traditional Swiss charm along with breathtaking views and fabulous skiing. As well as excellent skiing, it is truly a year-round destination as the area benefits from prolonged sunshine in the summer months, making it one of the most diverse holiday locations in the Alps and giving holiday makers

the chance to invest in an ideal resort suited for both summer and winter breaks. In the summer, visitors can hike in the countryside; participate in sports including golf and tennis, or dive into sparkling blue lakes. The nine freehold two- and three-bedroom apartments are built to the highest specification standards and offer owners complimentary membership of the Swiss Owners Collection - allowing access to exclusive Powder Byrne resort services. For further information visit www.pbproperties.ch.

2 January 2015 Gazette 21

Gazette

HEALTH insight: training in swords

A CrossFit way to get into shape  suzanne sheehy

PICTURE this: you and a bunch of your friends standing at your barbells, ready to go. You have a workout laid out in front of you, and a countdown clock about to start. 3, 2, 1 ... Go! You all go tearing into the workout, determined to be the first to finish. You get through your reps as fast as possible, then on to the rowing machine to complete the workout. As soon as you are done, you lay on the floor with your muscles burning and your chest heaving, but also feeling amazing! “Didn’t think I was going to get through that.” You try catch your breath as you go write your time up onto the whiteboard, then go back over to cheer on your buddies who have not quite finished yet.

This is what happens every day at CrossFit Swords – just one of the many CrossFit gyms springing up around Dublin these days. When I first walked into the gym, the first thing I noticed was that it was a hive of activity. There were some people being taught a kettle bell swing in one corner, and in another, two guys were having a race, but walking on their hands! I was instantly intrigued. With about 20 gyms in the whole country two years ago, that number now stands at more than 70 and is growing all the time. So, what is it about CrossFit that is making it so popular?

First, it’s the social element. Members gleefully tell me that they “have their friends, their work friends, and then there’re their CrossFit friends”. Everybody seems to know each other and are constantly encouraging each other on to better things. T h e n , t h e r e ’s t h e intensity. CrossFit workouts are very intense and this is what people seem to get hooked on. “It’s hard, sweaty training, and it gets very tough, but it gets you so fit, ” says Darina, a 39-year-old chemist who trains CrossFit six days a week. “I have been training in gyms for more than 20 years, and I have never felt fitter, or been in better shape.” Does that mean CrossFit is only for fit people? I put this question to Jamie Lawlor, head coach and owner at CrossFit Swords.

Like to run for weeks?  suzanne sheehy

CrossFit Swords’s head coach and owner, Jamie Lawlor: “The workouts do get intense, but only relative to everyone’s ability. We are big on inclusivity.”

He said: “Absolutely not! We are big believers in meeting new members where they are at [in terms of physical fitness], then taking it from there. The workouts do get intense, but only relative to everyone’s ability. “My 60-year-old mother does CrossFit every week, but she may just modify the weights or the reps a little to accommodate her own ability. We are big on inclusivity, so nobody should be afraid of getting involved.” Lawlor is at pains to point out that at the

heart of all of this sweat and effort is technique. “We have a huge emphasis on coaching good form and proper technique. If you are going to train hard, you have to move well. Simple as that.” I saw this in action when the classes were in full flow. Lawlor went from person to person, giving them cues on how to improve their movement – and they listened. You can see people focusing hard on doing things right. However, that was not

what was the most striking about this place – it was the amount of sixpacks and biceps on show! Not everyone is in phenomenal shape, but there are plenty who are. “Yes, CrossFit gets you ripped,” Lawlor said with a big laugh. And I believe him – the proof is on show! CrossFit Swords are taking in new members in early January, so just drop them an email for more information at info@crossfitswords. ie.

FOR the month of December, I took the challenge to run at least 30 minutes every day, with no day off. It was tough sticking to the schedule, but I would only be cheating myself if I didn’t run on one of the days. I experienced mixed feelings over the month, but, by the end of it, I would say that running a short distance each day has made me feel good about myself, and left me re-energised. So, I invite you to do the same for four weeks – this could be the challenge that you have been looking for to start 2015.

Great help at GOAL walk GOAL hosted a series of Goal miles throughout Ireland on Christmas Day, and Malahide Castle was one of the venues. Turnout was great, with many families running or walking around the one-mile route, happy to support the charity’s ongoing work with the poorest of the poor throughout the third world.

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22 Gazette 2 January 2015

OUT&ABOUT

theatre A vivid journey from womb to womanhood  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

Following its hugely successful sellout run at this year’s Dublin Theatre Festival, new play by Eimear McBride, A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing, will be staged again in February at Project Arts Centre and The Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, by celebrated theatre company The Corn Exchange. McBride’s novel was adapted for the stage by Annie Ryan of The Corn Exchange and will enjoy a limited run in Dublin and Belfast. Tickets are on sale for €16 for all performances starting at Project Arts Centre from February 4 to 14, then going on to Belfast, before returning to Dublin at The Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray from February 27 to 28. Aoife Duffin stars in the play and her performance has been universally described as mesmerising. The play follows the inner narrative of a girl from the womb to 20 years old with vivid intensity. The character exhibits a range of remarkable resilience and intelligence and determination to emerge beyond her background of Catholicism and deprivation. It promises to be an unforgettable theatrical experience. A series of talks and events is planned to accompany the run at Project Arts Centre, details of which will be released shortly.

ARTS

books: new novelist Don Cameron

Murder and mystery lurking in the suburbs  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

GAZETTE columnist and new novelist Don Cameron recently won the RTE Today Show – Get Your Book Published Competition for his upcoming thriller Marked Off. Cameron took to writing late in life, having formerly scaled the heights of Westminster where he worked as part of the audit team for the Department of Education during Tony Blair’s administration in the late 1990s. “Tony Blair had just got in and in 1997 he was spending all the money on education… so it was suddenly the sexiest place to be at the time. “One of my buddies over there said to me one day ‘you should be writing’. “I didn’t think about it for a couple of years until I started getting into short stories and I sent a few short articles off to golf magazines. “Lo and behold, they actually published them. “Then they asked me to write for them by

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

‘I’d some sort of draft which I gave to family and friends who are people who read a lot and they said it was pretty good but, there were a lot of buts’ --------------------------

going to golf clubs, like a club spy to write about the fairways and the bars and so on. “So suddenly, with no history of writing, I was getting paid to write these things. So I was recognised, which was cool. “Then I came back from London in 2000 with a bit more knowledge about how to write short stories and sent some to a few magazines and, thankfully, again, they published them. “Then I was working one day and I saw this interaction between two people and thought it was interesting.

“I just seemed to look at it upside down. “Why? I’ve no idea and that’s where the idea came from the book. Then I had to sit down for the next four-and-ahalf years and work out how to write a 300-page novel as I’d no concept of that at all. “I started anyway and after 18 months or so, I’d some sort of draft which I gave to family and friends who are people who read a lot. “They said it was pretty good but... There were a lot of buts. “Then I left it down for about six months or so and had a look at it again, taking on the observations, painful though that might be. “I came up with another version of it and this time there weren’t quite as many buts. “Eventually in 2013, it really became the big elephant in the room as I had to finish it or I wouldn’t write anything else. I’d put so many hours and days into it. I finished it in mid-January 2014.” Then while looking for an agent, Cameron spotted a poster adver-

Author Don Cameron: “I started getting into short stories and I sent a few short articles off to golf magazines. Lo and behold, they actually published them.”

tising the RTE Today Show competition and entered. His book went on to win the competition and he appeared on the

Today Show with Daithi O’Shea and Maura Derrane. Marked Off, published by New Island, is due out in late January 2015 and

is described by Cameron as “a murder mystery set in a leafy Dublin suburb where such things aren’t supposed to happen, but do”.

2 January 2015 GAZETTE 23

GAZETTE

CINEMA

This summer promises to be fantastic for the Marvel franchise with The Avengers returning and the realease of Ant-Man (inset) starring Paul Rudd

IT’S A WRAP: BUT FEAR NOT... THE YEAR AHEAD PROMISES A HUGELY SATISFYING RANGE OF MOVIES

Sneak peaks at 2015 offerings WITH a great year of film just tucked away, it is time to look ahead to some of the most anticipated releases of 2015, which promises to be a year made for blockbusters and superheroes. More hotly anticipated than the usual summer sequels we are treated to is Joss Whedon’s follow up to 2012’s massively successful The Avengers. W hile W hedon’s more droll approach to the Marvel franchise alienated some fans, the vast majority of viewers warmed to his style – a fact played out in the boxoffice figures with the film sitting tight as the third highest-grossing of all time. Having assembled the cast in 2012’s film, this May will see The Avengers tuck into the main course of their story arc, as they enter the Age of Ultron while the battle of

 DAVE PHILLIPS

the seemingly omnipotent and omnipresent artificial intelligence threatens to wipe out the planet. More of the impressive action W hedon demonstrated in the finale of the first movie, coupled with his trademark panache would seem to secure T he Avengers 2 as a substantial box-office success - particularly since the other long-awaited superhero mash-up, Superman Vs Batman film has been pushed back to a 2016 release. Also joining the showcase this year is The Fantastic Four, which will hit screens around August.

The definite article isn’t the only thing that separates this from 2005’s more colourful Fantastic Four, this reboot sees writer Simon Kinberg supplying the screenplay. Following on from his work on Sherlock Holmes and last year’s X-Men film, we can be sure to expect a slightly more grown-up feel to be introduced to this story. Rounding off a Marvel summer is the astonishing Ant-Man – Paul Rudd will take on the lead role as the diminutive hero. Promising an equal amount of laughs and action, Ant-Man may be one of Marvel’s more fringe characters but may prove to be one of the studio’s most surprising treats. From one set of risque costumes to another – Fifty Shades of Grey will undoubtedly follow on the success of the series of

novels by making a considerable rise among the public this year. After a relatively tame trailer caused outrage amongst conservative groups in the US, expect some “careful now” placards when it hits screens in spring. Best to withhold judgement until the previews, but director Sam TaylorJohnson proved she has incredible talent with 2009’s Nowhere Boy, so this may well prove to be a particularly wicked thrill. Also looking provocative is George Miller’s new rendition of Mad Max starring Tom Hardy. Miller, who directed the three original Mad Max films in the late 1970s and early 1980s, has gone on to direct kid favourites like Babe: Pig in the City and Happy Feet – it may be about as far away from a post-apocalyptic wasteland as you can imagine.

But Miller insists the several decades spent away from Mad Max hasn’t diminished his love for the character and promises to create a hard-edged new instalment that will live up to the originals. Miller won’t be the only one with a hard act to follow in 2015 - the year that sees some old favourites return to cinema screens. Set to open in June, Jurassic World sees the park finally open to the public, just as the lovely John Hammond envisioned, when the inevitable hybrid-dinosaur outbreak occurs. Harkening back to the feel of the original, and with Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard on board, Jurassic World looks set to offer a bit of nostalgic fun in the summer. This year in cinema will inevitably be remembered

for two short words - Star Wars. Set to open in December, the latest instalment sees the cast of the original trilogy (even Warwick Davis) reunite in what promises to be the usual epic story of good and evil. While the exact details of the plot remain a secret,

we can trust all will be well in the capable hands of JJ Abrams, who successfully breathed new life in the Star Trek franchise in 2009. Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens is looking set to be the cherry on top of what promises to be a stellar year of cinema.

Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson will star in the movie version of Fifty Shades of Grey

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24 Gazette 2 January 2015

OUT&ABOUT

FASTtunes Live highlights on the horizon in ’15 There are already a panoply of live shows on the slate to keep us going through these cold days and looking forward to hot nights at the city’s finest venues - and here are a selection of the highights of concerts coming up in the first three months of the year. It’s a few weeks away but that gives you time to get on your dancing shoes and prepare for the arrival of Gorgon City at The Academy on February 4. Their Sirens album was one of the best of 2014 and this is sure to be a cracking night of polished dance grooves. Shortly afterward, the return of one of the most beloved live acts from across the pond when Interpol arrive for a trio of shows at The Olympia on February 10, 11 and 12. On the back of their best record since their debut, El Pintor, and with a canon of undeniable classics to choose from, these are certain to be immaculate, impressive shows - check outlets for tickets, and consider yourself lucky if you’re heading along. Another fond return to these shows are Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds on March 4 to the 3Arena. With a new album waiting in the wings and one or two tracks from his old band sure to get an airing, this will be a celebration from start to finish. As we’re talking about celebrations, and not the selection box variety, the bunting should already be hanging at the front of Vicar Street in anticipation of the more-than-welcome return of indie rockers Sleater Kinney on March 26. Having been on indefinite hiatus since 2006, the trio announced their return to action in October last year. New album No Cities To Love drops on January 20, and the extensive US and European tour brings Brownstein, Tucker and Weiss back to these shores.

MUSIC

interview: New year’s eve the beginning of the next phase

Guardians of Le Galaxie prepare for light speed  ROB heigh rheigh@dublingazette.com

Of all the acts who ply their trade on the national circuit, no harder-working band than Le Galaxie are deserving of progression to the next level, and their constant graft and craft look set to carry them to a higher plane in the new year. Speaking to GazetteMusic in the run up to their sure-to-be epic New Year’s Eve show at Meeting House Square and their not-to-be-missed aftershow event, Michael from the band spoke about how they had progressed as a unit and their plans for the future. From their early outings as the band that became 66e in the mid-2000s and through to the stage at Whelan’s on Saturday nights where they crafted their art and became Le Galaxie, Michael and the rest of the band have had a strong focus on what they wanted to achieve. “We came out of the gate in 2008, and our first show was at Conway’s on O’Connell Street. It wasn’t the most auspicious start we managed to play only two songs - but we knew that we could absolutely do it. We didn’t have to have a singer, we could go up and play banging live music as a four piece, and we really liked it.” A process of constant gigging and composing, combined with their

Le Galaxie - Michael Pope, Alastair Higgins, Anthony Hyland and David McGloughlin are set for glory

drive to engage with an ever-expanding audience led to the release of the band’s first album Laserdisc Nights 2 in 2011. Since that time, Le Galaxie have worked hard to cement their place as a beloved and must-see act on the live circuit, as well as putting down the tracks that will make up their new album, set for release in 2015. That was a process which saw them working with acclaimed producer Eric Broucek, who had worked with Hercules And Love Affair, Holy Ghost and Little Boots, in Los Angeles last summer. “Although the first few songs were mixed by email, we stepped back and realised we had to go over there,” said Michael. “Our manager said, absolutely, get over there and do it. So Dave and I went to this tiny studio in Culver City in LA and worked with Eric on the album, and it was a great learning experience. “We’d never been

exposed to such an amazing skillset, he was so quick, and in the first couple of days we were in sync.” The first insight into that process has been recent releases Humanize and Carmen, songs that are possibly the best representation of their potential and live presence to date. Having taken a step back from the live scene in the last year, Michael and the band have been strategising their return

to the stage, in the knowledge they have some of their best recordings to date in their back pocket. Before the new album and a trip to SXSW in March, there is the matter of the New Year’s Eve show at Meeting House Square, which Michael was looking forward to, having played memorable shows there as part of the Dublin Fringe Festival and the Web Summit. “We thought it would be perfect for New Year’s Eve at midnight. It sold

Le Galaxie in their natural environment - thriving on stage

out in a day, and the show’s really going to be great. We love investing in the production of our shows, we get it back tenfold from the audience. We’ll have guest vocalists, which adds to the energy, and we’re pulling out all the stops. We can’t wait, it’s going to be really special.” You can find out more about Le Galaxie at www. legalaxie.com. For the full audio version of this interview, log on to theaapnetwork.libsyn.com.

2 January 2015 gazette 25

Gazette

GAMING MOTORING

By perfectly capturing the look, animation – and humour – of South Park, The Stick of Truth delivered a consistently entertaining title

games: a look back at last year’s biggest critical hits

Six of the best of 2014 2014 was another interesting year for gaming, as the generational shift got under way and the various console leaders – particularly Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony’s PlayStation 3 – finally began to falter and lose ground to their platform successors. Here at the start of 2015, we can expect to see an accelerated growth in these “new” consoles, with all kinds of exciting games, platform developments, business shifts and changes in industry personnel and studios on the way, while mobile gaming looks set to continue slowly but surely creeping into mainstream culture. However, before we move forward, let’s look back at some of the biggest, most critically-acclaimed titles of 2014. Any “best of…” gaming list could – and should – be scores of titles long, as the past year saw many great games released. However, judging by all of their awards and acclaim, these were some of your favourites, too. In no particular order …

 shane dillon sdillon@dublingazette.com

Alien Isolation (Sega – cross-platform release) The Alien film franchise has a long – and generally bad – pedigree of tie-in game releases, with most proving unworthy of the acclaimed film (and its equally admired sequel, Aliens). Enter Alien Isolation – a nail-biting game following iconic Ellen Ripley’s grown-up daughter, Amanda, as she searches for the truth about her mother’s mysterious disappearance, long ago. Set almost entirely on a crumbling space station – where a lone, unpredictable xenomorph was just one of its dangers – Alien Isolation was a masterful example of suspense and nerves, creating a brilliant, nerve-jangling game in its own right.

Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor (Warner Bros – cross-platform release) Set in Tolkien’s Middle Earth, this open-world exploration/strateg y game sparked a great deal of interest thanks to its unique central conceit – namely, that the most insignificant of enemies could return to face you later, with greater power – and with memories of their earlier encounters with you. This created an engaging connection to even the lowliest of characters, elevating an otherwise humdrum title (with marked, detrimental differences between platform iterations) into a title that frequently crackled with random, engaging gameplay. South Park: The Stick of Truth (Ubisoft – crossplatform release) In 2014, South Park fans finally got a game that did the foul-mouthed, still-risque show justice, thanks

to the direct involvement of the show’s creators. Created to look exactly like the show’s “cheap” animation, the game played out like a fairly light role-playing title, with the town’s kids split into opposing sides in a war to own the, um, legendary Stick of Truth. Still, thanks to its spoton animation and design, all the show’s characters (and South Park-ian humour and insults), a decent RPG engine, and enough attention to detail to please any South Park purists, The Stick of Truth was an unexpected treat.

The Banner Saga (Stoic – PC, Mac, IOS, Android release) Isometrically-viewed, turn-based strategy games don’t exactly sound like they’d set the world on fire, but critics raved about The Banner Saga – a beautiful, highly-complex and multi-layered game that grabbed players by the (battle) horns and wouldn’t let go. With its lovingly-crafted classical Nordic/Viking-

inspired design, intricate artwork, frequently lovely soundtrack and, of course, a challenging and brutally unforgiving game to play through – pushed along by a multi-character plot laced with real consequences – The Banner Saga was a delight, making it one of the well-deserved games of the year for many.

Monument Valley (Ustwo – IOS, Android release) A rather short but very sweet game, Monument Valley used some beautiful graphics and light spatial puzzles to create a world worth exploring. By turning this and pushing that, the player could align impossible isometric paths and angles to create new routes through the levels, progressing ever deeper into Monument Valley. This gentle, laidback game and its pretty, pastel-hued landscapes and angular towers, turrets and minarets wowed critics and gamers alike with its charming gameplay.

If you’re this close in Alien Isolation (top), things are probably going to end very badly; Monument Valley’s intricate levels (centre) were a relaxing treat; The Banner Saga (bottom) delivered a richly-told tale

Dark Souls 2 (Namco – cross-platform release) With its predecessor already infamous as a rock-hard game, Namco made DS2 even harder, thus creating the iron standard of challenging gameplay for games. W i t h a d e c ay i n g , decrepit world in which your cursed character wanders, the smallest of encounters with low-level

enemies can be challenging to overcome – let alone when faced with brutallychallenging bosses that ramp up in difficulty and challenge the further you progress into Drangleic. Viewed as a game for “hardcore” gamers, it’s not a game for “mainstream” gamers, yet picked up many critical/ gaming awards for being a very formidable, yet very “pure”, gaming challenge.

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ROOFING

2 January 2015 Gazette 27

2014sport 

Another fantastic year of all the best local sporting action has just begun, so let’s cast an eye back over the achievements and successes of the last 12 months...



Gazette

  happynew year... d

Sport shows the way for the future The stories that we tell every week, from the local team’s league success to the international honours achieved as a result of years of dedication to a discipline convey a story that repeats time and again, week after week and year after year. The ability to break through and crack the ceiling of your sport to taste greatness resides inside all of us, at whatever level we participate, whether it be on the sidelines or in the middle of the fray. Self-belief and commitment are phrases that are returned to time and again by the people we have been fortunate enough to speak to and report on throughout 2014, whether world champions, provincial victors or county title holders. And even those who have not won the top honours have shown their mettle and sporting spirit, wearing them as gallantly in defeat as in victory. Inspiration comes from a number of sources every year, and this year no more so than seeing the likes of Conor McGregor, James McGee and Stephanie Roche taking their places among the world’s elite, as much as St Joseph’s Boys Under12 side representing Ireland at the Danone Cup in Brazil. That inspiration will see participants in all sports take to the field with the belief that if they give their all, success is only a step away. It’s once again been a privilege to be able to bring you what is the very best in local sport in all of our editions over the last year. Please keep on telling us your stories, and we will continue to talk to Dublin every week. Here’s to another wonderful 12 months, and we wish you a prosperous and healthy sporting new year.

Some of the great images of the best in Dublin sport that have lit up this year of success on the field of play and beyond

Rob heigh Sport Editor

Gazette

28 Gazette 2 January 2015

SPORT2014

review of the year

looking back: january to june

Dublin stars shine on the national and world stage January Celebr ated Dublin MMA coach, John Kavanagh, moved his internationally-acclaimed Straight Blast Gym to the Naas Road where beginners in the sport got the opportunity to train alongside champions Conor McGregor and Cathal Pendred in what is Europe’s largest MMA facility. St Tiernan’s Community School produced a superb performance to land the Leinster Under19 boys section of the FAI Schools John Murphy Cup against Patrician College in Leixlip, progressing to the AllIreland semi-final where they met Ulster winners St Mogue’s College from Belturbet. Local rally driver Robert Barrable delivered an impressive podium finish this month on his debut in the Rallye Monte Carlo when he and codriver Stuart Loudon finished third in WRC-2 and 13th overall in his Tunnock’s World Rally Team Ford Fiesta R5.

February THE HILLS cricket

club member Max Sorensen played his part in another marquee day for the sport this month as he played his part in helping the Irish team to victory over reigning world T20 champions West Indies at Sabina Park, Jamaica. Three Rock Rovers Hockey Club ended a 40-year wait for the men’s Irish Senior Cup final in nerve-shredding fashion at Belfield when Peter McConnell kept his cool to fire home the crucial penalty stroke after an epic encounter with Pembroke Wanderers. Castleknock College alumnus Martin Moore took his first steps on the 6 Nations stage last weekend when he came off the bench to help Ireland across the line for the last 20 minutes of their opening match of the campaign against Scotland. Lucan United are currently enjoying their highest ever international representation following Josh Miller’s inclusion in the Republic of Ireland Under-16 panel this week. He joined club mate Sean Whelan for training with the

panel this week, bringing their tally to four players as Brandon Payne and Conor Masterson continue to shine for the national underage side.

Leinster’s Eoin Reddan is tackled by pupils from St Patrick’s Boys National School

Portmarnock’s Adrian Morrow lines up a putt during the final round of

Cycling star Caroline Ryan gears up for

the 2014 Irish Seniors Amateur Open

the first female-only charity cycle, the

Championship at Waterville Golf Club

One4all Women on Wheels Giro cycle

St Vincent’s players

March A BREATHTAK ING 2-5 from Diarmuid Connolly helped inspire St Vincent’s to their fourth senior football AIB AllIreland Club Championship title in Croke Park on St Patrick’s Day to run out 4-12 to 2-11 winners over Castlebar Mitchel’s. Rathfarnham Olympian Annalise Murphy made Irish sailing history when she won the most coveted award in Irish sailing, the Irish Sailing Association Sailor of the Year, for the third consecutive year at the ISA’s annual awards ball in the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire. However, there was to be no fairytale sendoff for Swords woman L y n n e C a n t we l l a s she brought down the curtain on an incredible career in Pau when France ran out as the Women’s 6 Nations grand-slam champi-

St Joseph’s Boys Under-12 side celebrate their success at the SFAI Danone Cup in

Three Rock Rovers

May which saw them qualify to represent Ireland in Brazil

Senior Cup championship

ons, a title Ireland held for the last 12 months. Cantwell drew plaudits from many including former Irish rugby international Alan Quinlan who said: “She’s had a phenomenal impact on women’s rugby.”

against Colaiste Dun Iascaigh from Cahir, Tipperary.

April Foxrock Cabinteely completed a memo rable treble of Dublin Division 1 Feile titles in as many years with a narrow win over local rivals Kilmacud Crokes at Blakestown as Paul Hamill’s Under-14 side did just enough to main-

tain their two -point lead until the end of the game. Collinstown’s Dean Carpenter landed the People’s Choice Star of the Year award at the Dublin Gazette Newspapers Dublin Sports Awards following a remarkable run of form both on the individual and club front. He was a clear winner of the public vote as the people of Clondalkin got behind their man, topping the poll ahead of the likes of Conor McGregor, Kenneth Egan and Olympian Annalise Murphy.. Clondalkin RFC were

announced as the Leinster junior club of the year when the awards for the 2013/14 season were communicated to the winners by the Irish Rugby Football Union in their 40th anniversary year, this is a considerable achievement after a successful season on and off the field. Supersub Hannah Ni Dhea netted the late goal to seal a dramatic 2-9 to 2-5 victory for Colaiste Íosagain, Stillorgan, in the Tesco Homegrown Post Primary Schools All-Ireland senior A ladies football final at Dr Cullen Park in Carlow

May SWORDS Thunder basketball club closed out their 2013-14 season with a series of successes which capped what was a remarkably successful year for the ALSAA team. The winners of the Dublin Sports Awards Team Of The Year award secured the Three Nations Cup title in Lecce, Italy, as it was announced that their American player, Alex Zurn, was Basket-

GAZETTE



2 January 2015 GAZETTE 29

‘‘

QUOTABLE

QUOTES

Clondalkin RFC’s Gael Stowe and Sara Phelan celebrate in the Paul Flood Cup final against Gorey

“At times, I wonder, did I do the right thing? When you see everyone away training in Mallorca, you start to think, ‘it could be me’ but, at the same time,I also think now I am glad it isn’t me!”

- Paralympic cyclist CATHERINE WALSH on her life after retirement

celebrate with the Andy Merrigan Cup after their victory in the All-Ireland senior club championship

Swords rally driver Robert Barrable took to the rally trails this year and impressed in the WRC2 championship in his Ford Fiesta R5

celebrate their first Irish

St Oliver Plunkett’s ER celebrate at final whistle in the Division 6 final of

in 40 years at Belfield

the Everbuild Feile Atha Cliath

ball Ireland’s Division 1 player of the year. NUIM Barnhall were among the big winners at the Leinster Rugby Awards Ball as they were honoured with the Canterbury Club of the Year. It is part of a new lease of life for the Parsonstown club since linking up with NUI Maynooth five years ago, according to club PRO Peter Black who said it has been the major catalyst for the club. St Joseph’s Boys put an end to Corduff ’s dream run in the SFAI Danone Cup as they showed their class to win

the All-Ireland title in some style. Corduff were bidding to become the first NDSL club, as well as the first from Dublin 15, to win an SFAI title but Joey’s showed no room for sentiment with a polished performance that saw them home at Jackson Park.

June THE DUBLIN and District Schoolboys League (DDSL) side who represented the league at this year’s Kennedy Cup came back in the final against Waterford at Limerick University to

claim their tenth national crown in 11 years, and their third title in a row at the annual competition. This year’s DDSL squad was made up of players from the likes of St Kevin’s Boys, St Joseph’s Boys, Belvedere, and St Francis, and they represented the league in commanding fashion in their run to this year’s final of the five-day event. Lucan man Mark Ryan became the first Irish male individual champion at a European mountain running senior championship when he finished first

in the Over-35 catergory in Ludwikowice Klodzkie, Poland. He was part of a double success for local runners at the fifth annual European Vets mountain running championships as his training partner Brian MacMahon came home first in the open category with a similarly impressive performance. Former Leicester Celtic and St Kevin’s Boys player Damien Duff ended his long-standing career in the Premier League when he signed a one-year deal down under for Melbourne

Ballinteer St John’s were crowned Dublin Under-21 A hurling champions after defeating Kilmacud Crokes

City FC. Duff, a modern Irish legend, made 100 appearances for his country as well as lifting two Premier league titles and two League Cups with Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers. Dublin ladies football manager Gregory McGonigle said in June that opportunity was knocking for a number of his Under-21 players following their incred-

ible run to the Aisling McGing title in Clane with a 6-9 to 1-8 win over Meath in the AllIreland final. Nicole Owens’ hat-trick – her third trio of goals in successive games – along with the performances of the emerging Carla Rowe, midfield pair Molly Lamb and Sarah McCaffrey and the entire defensive unit drew the manager’s praise.

“The Gazette was there when no one was paying attention to this sport so this is an award I am really going to cherish.”

- Irish superstar in the making CONOR MCGREGOR on accepting his Dublin Gazette Sport Star of the Award

‘It doesn’t matter what mix of team there is in our in-house matches, they are expected to perform. If they do, they will earn one of the 26 slots on match day.”

- Dublin manager Jim Gavin on his selection criteria as he guided the Dublin senior footballers to the All-Ireland final

Gazette

30 Gazette 2 January 2015

SPORT2014

review of the year

look back: august to december

Champion performances from Dublin’s finest in sport July MELANIE Houghton produced a memorable weekend’s work in July in Aer Lingus colours as she landed four titles last weekend at the Swim Ireland national age group championships as part of a great weekend for the club. The sprint specialist closed out a memorable weekend with the 50m butterfly to add to the 50m and 100m freestyle, as well as the 100m butterfly. K i l m a c u d C r o ke s ’ Glenalbyn home paid a fitting tribute to Gerry Collins with the inaugural tournament named in his honour drawing large crowds throughout the day. A former Dublin footballer, Collins was a stalwart member of the Stillorgan club and was great friends with current football chairman Sean Fox as well as Padraig McMenamin who was among the founders of the Mactech Cup in the 1990s. Republic of Ireland U n d e r-1 9 w o m e n ’ s manager Dave Connell believed his side could “go all the way” to the title following their perfect record in the European Cham-

pionships group stages in Norway this month. His side stunned Spain in their tournament opener before beating both England and Sweden 2-1, setting up a semi-final date with the Netherlands in the final four for the right to play either Norway or Spain in the final.

August At the back end of 2013, Fingal Ravens survived a relegation play-off against near neighbours St Finian’s to retain their place in AFL Division 2, and this month they confirmed they were moving out of the division, but in vastly different circumstances after their dramatic one-point win over Skerries Har ps confirmed they would win the league, moving back up to the top tier of football in Dublin with two games to spare. UCD were getting set to revisit the halcyon days of a decade before following the intro duction of the UCD Waves Ladies Football Club who will compete in the Women’s National League 201415. Between 2002 and 2004, the students were the queens of the FAI

Senior Cup, winning a spectacular three in-arow and they will hope to get back into that threshold in their latest incarnation. Castleknock LTC’s James McGee said he had “broken through the barrier” in his own mind following his qualification for the main draw of the US Open this month, his first time to advance to that stage of a Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows. T hough he fell to Kazakhstan’s Aleksandr Nedovyesov, a player ranked 90 places above him in the world, missing out on a delicious date with Jo-Wilfred Tsonga in the second round, it was a significant achievement.

September P ortmarnock golfer Adrian Morrow led the Irish senior team to victory in the European Senior Men’s Team Championship at the Sierra Golf Club in Poland early this month. Ireland were returning to the competition to attampt to retain their title, which they did in style against the highly-fancied Swedish team by 3.5 to 1.5 after the five matches were

Stephen Ormond was one of the Celtic Warrior Gym stars to make their mark on 2014 in the ring

Ireland’s Peter Cotter and Tomiwa The Hills skipper Nazeer Shaukat

Badun celebrate after their CPISRA

celebrates his side’s victory in the

seven-a-side European championship

Conor McGregor

RSA Irish Senior Cup

match against Portugal

over Diego Brandao and

Jessica O’Demena and Chloe Kavanagh Participants make their way up Fitzwilliam Place at the start of the

took part in the Mulhuddart Boxing

SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon 2014

Academy schools programme

played. St Brigid’s handball legend Eoin Kennedy claimed his ninth AllIreland 60×30 senior singles championship title last week when he defied the odds to dethrone three-time champion Robbie McCarthy in an epic final in Abbeylara. Making age an irrelevant issue, Kennedy came back from a game down to bring home the title over two -and-a-half hours against the player who had defeated him in all three of the previous finals. At Croke Park, Ger-

aldine O’Flynn’s devastatingly calm finish saw Cork come back from 10 points to stun Dublin and win their fourth successive All-Ireland senior championship. Lindsay Peat’s pair of goals had Greg McGonigle’s side soaring, only for Rhona Buckley and Eimear Scally to spring from the bench and land goals to make for an enthralling finish and heartbreaking end to the Jackies’ season. Milltown Golf Club in Dundrum celebrated after they recorded an historic and unique achievement at Balbriggan Golf Club when

their ladies intermediate and junior teams both won the East Leinster titles in the provincial phase of the 2014 Private Home Care InterClub Championships.

October C O N OR M c G r e g o r admitted he contemplated pulling out of “the biggest fight” of his life after he tore ligaments in his thumb in the build-up to his UFC 178 victory over Dustin Poirier in Las Vegas. The Lucan resident made shor t work of Poirier, lifting him to the top five in the feath-

e r we i g h t d i v i s i o n ’s rankings, and moving the Dubliner ever closer to a world title shot. Castleknock’s incredible journey kept on rolling apace when their gutsy 1-10 to 1-7 intermediate championship final victory over Fingallians in Parnell Park saw them attain senior championship status for the first time, just 16 years since the club’s formation, the win coming only two years since moving up to inter level. Ballyboden St Enda’s senior camogie team overcame Naomh Uinsionn to take their fifth

GAZETTE



2 January 2015 GAZETTE 31

‘‘

QUOTABLE

QUOTES

Former Peamount FC star Stephanie Roche continued to make waves as her goal for her Dublin side saw her nominated for the FIFA Goal Of The Year

“I’ve never burst into tears for happiness in my entire life. I sat on my chair and I started crying like a big baby.”

- Castleknock tennis ace JAMES MCGEE on the emotion of reaching his first Grand Slam, the US Open

continued his inexorable rise up the ranks of the featherweight division in the UFC in 2014 with victories Dustin Poirier, setting up a trip to Boston to face Dennis Siver later this month

“The most important thing is that they’ll have a happy experience in the club and will always remember days in the club with fondness.”

- St Saviour’s

Crusaders AC’s Colin

Players from Naomh Mearnog and St Sylvester’s

James McGee made the breakthrough of his career to date when he secured a

Quirke on his way to silver

Under-15 teams after the A championship semi-final

place in the first round of the US Open tennis championship at Flushing Meadows

in the men’s shot putt

in Portmarnock

senior one championship title in a row with a narrow win at O’Toole Park, built upon a fine start with points from Anne Griffin and Denise McGrath.

badminton circuit, following on from his Brazil Grand Prix victory. The Ballinteer man fell to Taiwan’s world number eight Tien Chen Chou in the decider, but moved up to a career high of number 33 as his excellent year continued.

Championships held in Zurich in Switzerland. Royal Dublin GC’s Niall Kearney became the first Irishman to be crowned the PGA number one following his wire-to-wire victory in the Titleist PGA playoffs. The 26-year-old star rose to the occasion over the PGA Sultan Course at Antalya Golf Club in Turkey to finish on 14-under-par, two shots clear of the pack. St Jude’s held their nerve to defeat 14-man K ilmacud Crokes as Fionn O’Riain Broin continued his scoring form this year to help

November AER LINGUS Swim Club’s Barry Murphy has announced his retirement from international level swimming following a hugely impressive career, qualifying for the 2012 Olympic Games as well as medalling at European and World Cup level. The 29-year-old described it as an “ardu-

ous decision” but felt that “after much deliberation and an extensive time to reflect, I feel it is the right time.” Katie Taylor created another piece of history as she equalled the record for five women’s World Championships gold medals when she defeated Azerbaijan’s Yana Allekseevna in Korea. It tied the Peamount United club woman with India’s Mary Kom on five titles, all won at lightweight, adding to her six European crowns and the gold medal won at the London Olympic Games in

2012.. This month’s Return of the Mack fight night in the 3Arena proved a massive success for Paschal Collins and his Celtic Warrior cohorts as three of the Corduff gym’s boxers landed eye-catching wins when Gary O’Sullivan and Luke Keeler, produced stunning first round knock-outs and Jono Carroll defeated Declan Geraghty in front of the Sky Spor ts cameras with potential dividends on the horizon. Scott Evans broke new ground this month, reaching his first Grand Prix Gold final on the

December CORDUFF Karate Club member Leeanne Royle continued her impressive progression in the sport when she was crowned the youth ladies kumite freestyle champion at the European Shotokan Karate

the Tymon club land the AHL1 league title at O’Toole Park. Ballyboden St Enda’s Stephen Hiney officially called time on his intercounty career, ending a largely successful 13 year period with the Dublin hurling team. Hiney, who won the Leinster title with the Dubs in 2013 with a win over Galway, was key to their hurling renaissance under Anthony Daly. He described playing for his county as a great honour, but regretted never reaching an AllIreland final with the capital.

Boxing Club’s TOMMY AHERN on the ethos of the club and the roots of it’s enduring legacy in Dublin sport

“I’ve scored a lot of goals, but honestly, I think this was probably the most beautiful I’ve ever scored.”

- Ireland striker STEPHANIE ROCHE on her strike for Peamount that earned her a place on the shortlist for the FIFA goal of the year award

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

a celebration in pictures: 2014 proved a fantastic year in sport around Dublin at all levels P27

january 2-7, 2015

sports review of the year: GazetteSport looks back at the memorable moments P28-31

Lucan Sarsfields’ Ali Twomey captained the Dub Stars to a dramatic late win over the Dublin senior panel last Sunday in Coolock. Picture: Seamus Massey

Sars shine brightest

Lucan players to the fore in high quality opening game for new Dublin boss Shane O’Brien as Dub Stars snatch late win in dramatic fashion

 stephen findlater

sport@dublingazette.com

LUCAN Sarsfields starlet Ali Twomey captained the Dub Stars to an impressive 2-10 to 1-11 win over the Dublin senior camogie panel last Sunday in Coolock on a day when a series of players from the 12th Lock club impressed. The Dub Stars – the pick of the players from the club championship in 2014 – edged the tie with a late flurry of scores with Aisling Maher’s goal underpinning a five-point swing in the final five minutes. Twomey struck two great points in the second half, including one which put the Stars ahead late in the day. She was joined in the side by

Orla Beagan in the full-forward line while Claire Rigney had a fine game in the half-backs. In opposition, Mairi Moynihan’s powerful presence at full-forward for Dublin was a feature of the early stages as she scored three first half points while her free led to Dublin’s opening goal in the sixth minute with new recruit Sarah O’Donovan smashing home. It was the first formal outing for the county’s camogie players ahead of the 2015 season which gets under way on February 22 at home against Derry and new manager Shane O’Brien described it as “a great outing” with nigh on 50 players getting a run. For O’Brien, the hard-fought nature of the tie offered a huge amount of information about the

panel he took on recently with the group back training since December 1. “There was a great intensity to the game and they all brought a great attitude to it at this time of year,” he told GazetteSport. “The girls are in good shape and it was encouraging to see they have looked after themselves over the five or six days off which is good to see.” A particular positive was the debut of O’Donovan [playing now with St Vincent’s] – an All-Ireland winner who played with Cork up until 2012 – and Limerick native Rose Collins [St Brigid’s] who have both linked up with Dublin for the 2015 campaign. “We were looking particularly at the hooking and blocking stats, O’Brien said. “Two girls

stood out on that front; Sarah O’Donovan who is new to the panel, who was immense today, along with Laura Twomey at wing back. They put in a huge amount of work. “Sarah and Rose were approached in the middle of November after moving to Dublin and they were mad keen to come on board and we are delighted to get them in. They have an immense amount of experience; I think they marked each other in an All-Ireland semi-final a number of years ago so they know each other well. They have gelled well with the group.” Another addition to the set-up for 2015 is Dublin hurler Danny Sutcliffe who takes on an ambassadorial role with the team, providing advice and coaching tips.