Malahide

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INSIDE: Enjoying a Fun Run to raise money for good causes P8-9

May 3, 2012

OPINION: We should reject the Fiscal Compact Treaty, says Sinn Fein Page 6

A cutting edge: Richie cuts his way to finals Soccer: Portmarnock CS claim Leinster title for treble Page 32

Sports Awards: April winners are announced inside Page 29

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ..................... 2 BUSINESS .................... 19 MOTORS ....................... 20 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

RICHIE Hourigan (right), from Salon Tibo in Malahide, showed he had a cutting edge when he took part in the L’Oreal Professional Colour Trophy Eliminator event. He pitted his skills against competitors from salons across Ireland while a high profile judging panel had the task of selecting the finalists to go forward to compete at the L’Oreal Professional Colour Trophy Grand Final on June 11.

Richie was selected to go through to the Grand Final. Pictured with Richie is his model, Owen Smith (centre) and one of the judges.

Bank Holiday works stop train service Iarnrod Eireann decision ‘madness’, says councillor

I NATALIE BURKE

DISRUPTION of peak season trains to Malahide this Bank Holiday weekend, due to resignalling works being carried out, has been described as “madness” by Cllr Cian O’Callaghan (Lab).

“Thousands of local jobs

are reliant on tourism and visitors. A key part of this business stems from trips made on weekends during spring and summer months,” he said.

Despite the councillor’s plea for alternative arrangements to be made, Barry Kenny of Iarnrod Eireann said: “This work requires a

three-day time period and we have a very strong policy that we don’t disrupt weekday services as they are the busiest, so as a result, when you require three days and don’t want to impact weekday services, a long weekend is the only option”.

Full Story on Page 2

2 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 3 May 2012

TRANSPORT: NO TRAIN EVENT Local students take part in World Book Day SERVICE FOR WEEKEND

Bank Holiday closure is ‘madness’ I NATALIE BURKE nburke@gazettegroup.com

THE closure of peak season trains to Malahide this Bank Holiday weekend has been described as “madness” by Cllr O’Callaghan (LAB).

According to Irish Rail, there will be no train service between Connolly Station and Malahide/ Howth stations over the Bank Holiday weekend, due to re-signalling works taking place between the Clontarf Road and Portmarnock stations.

“The decision by Irish Rail to shut the train service to Malahide and North County Dublin for the holiday weekend is complete madness.

The weekend constitutes peak season for Malahide and North County Dublin which are key tourist destinations,” said Cllr O’Callaghan.

“Thousands of local jobs are reliant on tourism and visitors. A key part of this business stems from trips made on weekends during spring and summer months.

No other modern city would shut its transport services to tourist attractions on peak season weekends.”

In response to Cllr O’Callaghan’s plea for Irish Rail to make alternative arrangements for the busy weekend ahead, Barry Kenny of Iarnrod Eireann said: “We have been doing re-signalling works on the line from

the Clontarf Road out to Malahide and Howth over the last three years.

The vast majority of the work has taken place at night with no impact on services whatsoever.

When decommissioning an old signalling system and commissioning a new one, you have to shut the line down because the signalling is what regulates the safe running of the trains,” said Mr Kenny.

“This work requires a three-day time period and we have a very strong policy that we don’t disrupt weekday services as they are the busiest, so as a result, when you require three days and don’t want to impact weekday services, a long weekend is the only option. The project has come to a finish now, and if we don’t do it this weekend, the June and August Bank Holiday weekends are far busier holidays.”

Despite local businesses potentially losing out on weekend business, Kenny believes there are more benefits to arise from the future of the lines.

“The closure impacts on us as well, but what we will have is a brand new signalling system.

“The signalling needed to be replaced and this is a modern, fully centrally controlled computerised system and in the future it will allow us to run an increased number of trains on the line so will allow us to grows services in the future.”

Celebrating the value of books S TUDENTS of 1 Ree in Fingal Community College, celebrated the recent World Book Day with style when they formed four publishing houses: Ignis, Aqua, Terram and Aeris and created four original books.

Each group had authors, illustrators, editors and deputy editors on staff and worked at home and in school for two weeks to get the project completed. The books produced

ranged from a collection of short stories to novels to an account of the 1916 Rising. The publishing houses launched their books at a sophisticated soiree packed with VIP guests including parents of the students, the principal Ms McGrath, the deputy principal, Ms Donnellan, and the school librarian, Caroline Farran. Evelyn Lennon gave a heart-warming talk about the value of books in our lives.

3 May 2012 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 3

PROJECT Opportunities for people with epilepsy

New allotment project is a huge success I NATALIE BURKE

JUST a limited number of available allotments remain at the Malahide Allotment project following a hugely successful seven weeks since its official opening.

The Malahide Allotments project is operated by the Epilepsy Care Foundation, providing allotment opportunities for people with epilepsy and associated disorders.

It also provides rehabilitation and training in horticulture and gardening. The project was opened in March with 300 allotments and after just under two months in operation, only 20 sites

remain for letting to the public.

“The project is providing 75 allotments to people with epilepsy, autism and associated disabilities and the other 225 are being let to the public, which is funding the project,” explained one of the charity’s founding members, Brian Geraghty. “We provide the training and the tools needed for working on the allotments and they are open from 8am until 8pm, seven days a week.

As long as it’s legal, people can grow what they want in them.”

The Epilepsy Care Foundation was formed as a not-for-profit reg-

istered charity in 2009 and it aims to improve the level of care available to people with complex epilepsy and related disorders in Ireland.

“There are currently 42,000 people with epilepsy in the country and the important thing is to be able to provide training, respite and improve the quality of life for people with epilepsy and associated disorders,” said Brian.

“One of the aims of the foundation is to improve the level of care available to people and this can be achieved through providing opportunities for individuals to integrate with the commu-

Just a limited number of available allotments remain at the Malahide Allotment project

nity, while promoting the level of understanding and recognition of epilepsy amongst the general public.

“The project means that people have the opportunity to work in a community atmosphere and it’s turned into very much a community based project. I was told

by Grow It Yourself that

it’s the largest allotment project in the country,” Brian continued.

Fifteen acres of land were donated to the foundation for the project, which is the first of its’ kind in Ireland, and it’s located on the Malahide to Swords Road. The foundation also donated one of their allotments to Malahide Tidy Towns at

the recent AGM, which helps to use the space to promote plant propagation around the Malahide area.

For more information, follow Malahide Allotments on Facebook or visit www.malahideallotments.ie. More information on the Epilepsy Care Foundation can be found at www.epilepsycare.ie

THEATRE

Rising Star to take the stage THE Rising Star Stage School in Malahide are presenting their brand new stage production, Discover what happens when… Batman and Robin meet Aladdin.

The children’s music, dance and drama stage school will be showing their opening night performance at Scoil Iosa, Malahide, on Saturday, May 19, at 8pm and will follow with a matinee show at 2pm and their final performance on 8pm on Sunday, May 20.

Classics

A new take on the cartoon classics, the production was written by one of the school’s founders, Ann-Marie Ireland, and tickets cost €10 each.

For bookings, email risingstarstageschool@ gmail.com or call 086 3214 336.

4 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 3 May 2012

TOURISM Major boost for Malahide as Fry Model Railway

Malahide railway is back on track I NATALIE BURKE

nburke@gazettegroup.com

LOCAL politicians, residents and community groups have breathed a heavy sigh of relief this week with the news that the Fry Model Railway is set to return to its new home in Dublin North as the centerpiece of a new €2 million tourism development.

The Fry Collection and Model Railway, which was put in storage last year when it was removed from Malahide Castle during restorations, contains a model of every type of train that ran on the railways of Ireland and is now set to return to its home town of Malahide.

Final negotiations With Failte Ireland and Fingal County Council in the final stages of negotiations over the return of the model railway to the seaside town, it will now be open to the public at the heart of a new tourism development at the site of the old Casino House, which will also involve the restoration, preservation and conser vation of the thatched 17th-century Casino House.

T he breakthrough news was welcomed by a number of local politicians in the Dublin

North area, who together with many Malahide residents, as well as the Gazette Newspaper have been involved in one of the biggest campaigns in the area to bring the Model Railway back to Fingal, as oppose to the alternative choice of Busáras in the City Centre.

Minister for Transp o r t , To u r i s m a n d Sport, Leo Varadkar, welcomed the news for the Fry Collection and Model Railway saying he was delighted that the matter had finally --------------------------

‘I look forward to visiting the Fry Model Railway when it moves into its new home.’

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Minister Alan Kelly

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been resolved. “The Fry Collection and Model Railway will be a valuable addition to the growing range of tourist attractions which Malahide has to offer,” he said.

The proposed €2 million development has four major components which include plans to construct a purposebuilt museum building to house the Model Railway, as well as other

children’s educational displays, a shop and visitor toilets.

Other plans for the development include the restoration, preservation and conservation of the historic Casino House thatched building, the professional conservation of the Fry models and the upgrading of the presentation and treatment of the entire site as a heritage, educational and recreational amenity for the community of Malahide.

Labour Party TD for Dublin North, Brendan Ryan, also welcomed the good news, after receiving a letter confirming the plans from the Minister of State in the Department of Transport, Alan Kelly.

“I am thankful for the residents of Malahide and North County Dublin all of whom will welcome a wonderful tourist attraction back to its natural home in Fingal.

“I look for ward to visiting the Fry Model Railway when it finally moves into its new home”.

Residents part Commenting on the significant work that has gone into securing this project, Fine Gael TD for Dublin North Alan Farrell said: “I am

The Fry Collection and Model Railway contains a model of every type of train that ran on the railways of Ireland and is now set to return to its home town of Malahide

aware of the significant part that Malahide residents played in bringing the Fry Railway Museum home. “ I a m ve r y m u c h looking for ward to seeing the realisation of this project, and the securing of a unique and worthwhile attraction that will be part of the history and future of Malahide.”

The importance of the development was echoed by Fine Gael Councillor Anthony Lavin, who added that, “This announcement is an extraordinary success for Malahide, its residents, the Fingal County Manager and senior staff in the Department of Transport and Tourism, and for those of us who have been working quietly and consistently on this project.

“However it is a particular success for the late Michael Gaffney and the trustees who have represented his wish to have Fry Model Railway back in Malahide.”

Generosity Cllr Lavin was not the only person to acknowl-

edge the generosity of Michael Gaffney, a 9 3 - y e a r- o l d r e t i r e d farmer whose generosity facilitated the development when he donated €1.5 million to buy and upgrade the old Casino House building. In a statement following the latest announcement.

Extraordinary

Deputy Alan Farrell noted that the development of the Casino and the re-homing of the Model Railway was “made possible by the extraordinary donation’ from the late Mr. Gaffney, while Local Fianna Fail Senator Darragh O’Brien described him as the one person we all have to remember.

“Without his contribution, none of this would actually happen,” he said.

Community input Senator O’Brien went on to commend North Dublin residents and surrounding areas as well as the Chamber of Commerce, the Historical Society, the Community Forum, the Malahide Gazette and other local groups for their

effort in lobbying for the move. “Six to eight weeks ago, it looked like we hit a brick wall but the community effort in actually getting this was phenomenal.

“Not only will the model railway be back in its rightful place, but really importantly, it’s going to secure the Casino house building,” he said.

Purpose

“The historical building will now have a purpose and will be secured for all future generations.

“It just shows that when you work together we can achieve very significant improvements for our area.

“Myself and my colleague, Cllr. Eoghan O’Brien, couldn’t be happier; we got the result that we wanted.”

Creation The Fry Collection and Model Railway was created by Cyril Fr y and his family over the space of almost 40 years and contains a model of every train that ran on the railways of Ireland, including experimental

turf-burning trains.

The Dart and Luas are both represented within the collection.

It was acquired from the Fry family by Dublin Tourism in the 1970s and housed in a purpose-built unit in the courtyard of Malahide Castle until 2010.

Closure

Its closure two years ago prompted an outcry from the residents and councillors of Malahide, as well as from train and toy enthusiasts from around the country.

In his statement, Minister Varadkar acknowledged Cyril Fry’s lifelong work in developing the collection and also thanked the Fry family for their commitment to the collection and to ensuring it was properly looked after and displayed.

“I know the local community has been fully behind the efforts to preserve the Casino House and to bring the Fry collection back to Malahide and I am delighted that this will now be possible.” Minister Varadkar concluded.

3 May 2012 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 5

looks set to come back to town

THEATRE: BALDOYLE DRAMA GROUP

Be a part of awardwinning drama LOCAL Baldoyle Drama Group, Estuary Players, will be performing Three Days of Rain, an award-winning play

by Richard Greenberg, this bank holiday weekend.

The award-winning p l ay c e n t r e s o n a n estranged brother and sister who discover a cryptic journal in the family home written by their deceased father.

Emotional

Preparation

Councillor Anthony Lavin and Alan Farrell TD outside Malahide Casino

T he group will be performing at the Sean O’Casey Theatre in East Wall on Sunday, May 6, in preparation for their participation in the All Ireland Drama finals due to take place in Athlone next week.

The emotional tale of love, loss and the depth of the human mind is per formed by three local actors, Stephen Gibbons, Maria Blaney and Rober t Quigley and is directed by Myra Maguire. For bookings, call 086 1005511.

6 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 3 May 2012

TREATY Sinn Fein’s Paul Donnelly gives us his view

Why the Fiscal Compact is extremely dangerous PAUL DONNELLY, Sinn Fein representative, Dublin West, tells us why Ireland should not ratify the Fiscal Compact Treaty and why it will not work THE Fiscal Treaty will not work, what’s worse is that it will enshrine cutbacks and austerity policies into our constitution. This, in my opinion, is extremely dangerous for us all.

Article 3 of the treaty is the most important. It states that government budgets must be balanced or in surplus. The article makes significant changes to the existing EU treaty rules on fiscal policy known as the Stability and Growth Pact.

However, by placing them in an inter-governmental treaty, they are more binding and permanent. This means that, if ratified, future governments will have to implement pro-austerity anti-stimulus budgets in perpetuity. This significantly limits the freedom of decision making of governments in the future, irrespective of the mandate they receive from the electorate.

Interestingly, if the Fiscal Treaty had been in force over the past

number of years, it would not have prevented the current crises and collapse of the economy in Ireland because we had a budget surplus of billions of euro each year.

The Fiscal Treaty is very clear, it will embed cutbacks and austerity into our future budgets.

We will have to endure more stagnation in our economy and, despite promises at the last General Election by Labour and Fine Gael to provide a jobs stimulus package, we still have massive

unemployment that currently stands at close to 500,000 and the resultant mass exodus of our young people through emigration.

There will be more cuts to public services in areas such as health.

This will result in more bed closures similar to the recent closure of the Redwood ward in Connolly Hospital and the now annual closures of day surgical and outpatient services.

It will mean that the current waiting list for speech and language therapeutic ser vices will either remain at 15 months or will indeed get worse.

It will mean more cuts to our children’s education from primary schools to third level.

Sinn Fein was at the forefront of the recent campaign against the cuts to DEIS schools; we have lost SNAs by the hundreds.

Dublin West was particularly hit with the massive reduction in English support teachers. “ [ T h e Tr e a t y ] i s the worst imaginable response to the challenge of recession and stagnation. The agreement will have a far reaching effect on people’s lives by reducing pension provision, cutting public services, eroding people’s rights at work and driving down the cost of labour.”

These are not my words but the words of SIPTU president Jack O’Connor.

With just a year away from the 1913 Lockout anniversary, public service and private sector workers are faced with the same attacks on their rights, their terms and conditions, as recently experienced by workers

Paul Donnelly: “I am urging the people of Dublin West to come out strongly against this treaty”

in the GAME store in the Blanchardstown Centre and the workers of Vita Cortex in Cork.

The Fiscal Treaty will not deal with the debt or the banking crisis. It will mean at least more than €6bn in cuts from future budgets.

As we approach the centenary of the 1916 Rising, one wonders what the leaders of that rebellion and all those men and women who fought and died so that we might be free to determine our own future would make of this treaty and how it significantly undermines our sovereignty.

Solving the Eurozone Crisis We need to solve the Eurozone Crisis by investing in jobs and growth, sorting out the debt crisis by not paying the promissory notes of €31bn to Anglo and unguaranteed senior bondholders in Anglo and other banks. We need to get the exchequer deficit sorted by taxing the massive wealth still in this state and those on higher incomes, eliminating waste whilst protecting those on low and middle incomes.

We need to support Ireland getting back into the bond markets,

through existing EU treaties. The European Central Bank must take action to stabilise sovereign bond interest rates and ensure market access for all members.

After all, the foundation stone of the EU was to build a Europe of partners. This has been sadly lacking over the past four years.

I am urging the Irish people and in particular the people of Dublin West to come out strongly against this treaty.

Paul Donnelly, Sinn Fein representative, DublinWest

3 May 2012 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 7

POLICING: MALAHIDE GARDA STATION CLOSING ‘AN HOUR EARLIER AT 9PM’

HISTORY: EVENT

Closure of station ‘deeply worrying’

A talk on early motoring in Ireland

I NATALIE BURKE nburke@gazettegroup.com

DUBLIN North Senator Darragh O’Brien (FF) has described the closure of Malahide Garda Station as “deeply worrying” following what he believes is a further downgrade to what was previously announced.

According to Senator O’Brien, the Garda station in Malahide ceased to operate on a full time basis from 9pm on Monday, April 30, despite original announcements ensuring the closure of the station from 10pm.

“We were given assurances by local government TDs and Justice Minister Alan Shatter that cutting the opening hours of the station would enhance the Garda presence on the ground and that the only effect would

be that the Garda station would not be open to the public after 10pm. I have now found out that the station is actually closing an hour earlier at 9pm and that all phone calls will be diverted to Coolock, seven miles away,” said Senator O’Brien.

Shocked

He admitted he was more shocked to learn that anyone detained by Malahide gardai after 9pm, would now be transferred to Coolock Garda station by three members of the gardai. “This flies in the face of the assurances given by the government.

I was assured that holding cells at Malahide Garda station would still operate and prisoners would be detained there and not transported to Coolock or other stations,” he said.

“When the decision to downgrade Malahide Garda station was taken, it was made clear that resources would not be diverted from the community, in fact we were told that there would be an enhanced service. The safety of the people of Malahide, Portmarnock and Kinsealy is clearly not a priority for this government.

“It is also worth remembering that Minister Shatter confirmed to me that there would be no financial benefit to this downgrade. It’s time the Government saw sense, realised its mistake and reversed the downgrade of Malahide Garda station. I encourage everyone in the community to contact their local government TDs and make it clear this is totally unacceptable,” he concluded.

AS the Curator of the Royal Irish Automobile Club Archive, Ireland’s only motoring archive, well known author and motoring journalist, Bob Montgomery, will be presenting an entertaining and informative talk on Early Motoring in Ireland on Wednesday, May 9, which will be hosted by the Malahide Historical Society.

Questions answered: Helping those wanting to buy, sell or remortgage AN ULSTER BANK mortgage information event was recently held at Hilton Airport Hotel, Malahide.The events, designed to help local people thinking of buying, selling or remortgaging are being held in different locations around Dublin during the months of April and May. Local Ulster Bank staff are on hand at each event to answer any questions about the mortgage process and the range of mortgage options available.

Pictured at the event are Michelle Brady, Swords, and Gary Turner Coolock with Laura O’Shaughnessy from the Ulster Bank in Malahide.

Interest

The talk will be illustrated with many rare early photographs, including several items of local interest and will cover the history of the early years of motoring in Ireland. The talk will take place at the Presbyterian Church Hall on the Dublin Rd at 8pm and is open to all members of the public.

8 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 3 May 2012

EVENT 4K Fun Run at Malahide Castle in aid of Ross Nugent

Running to raise money

ALAHIDE Castle was the setting for a 4K Fun Run in aid of both the Ross Nugent Foundation and the Laura Brennan Charitable Trust.

Both died from rare illnesses and their families have put in huge efforts to raise funds for Beaumont hospital.

Participants completed a lap of the castle, beginning and finishing in front of the castle building. All participants received a sponsorship card with the aim of raising more funds for their chosen charities.

M

Sandra and Don Nugent

Rachel McAdam, Ian McDonnell and Kelly Fox. Pictures: Una Williams

Winner Sam Cassidy

Fergal Flood, Gareth Caffrey and Darragh Smeaton

Ciaran Goodman and Phil Connelly

3 May 2012 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 9

Foundation and the Laura Brennan Charitable Trust

Winners Trish Crothers and Sonya Reilly Pat and Nuala Brennan

Barbara Walsh Keane, Claire Horan, Katie O’Hara, Robyn Taaffe and Maeve Ward

In second place, Eric Whelan and Baiba Staniza

Winners Trish Crothers and Sonya Reilly

10 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 3 May 2012

SPORT: HEINEKEN CUP

CAMPAIGN Being an ambassador of Irish language

Bod is voted greatest player BRIAN O’Driscoll has been voted the greatest Heineken Cup player of all time in a study conducted by Heineken that analysed the latest opinions, habits and trends of Irish Heineken Cup fans.

In the all-Ireland study, a massive 76% of fans voted Brian O’Driscoll as their favourite Heineken Cup Player, while team mate and Munster rival Ronan O’Gara pulled in 15% of the votes. Martin Johnson and Diego Dominguez each snagged 1% of the fans votes and the remaining 7% of nominations was made up of votes for Rocky Elsom, John Hayes, Peter Clohessy, Yannick Jauzion, Peter Stringer and Stephen Ferris.

The study found that rugby in Ireland is very much alive and kicking, with fans considering themselves to be very passionate when it comes to their favourite sport – 39% of them rate themselves on top of the scale when asked to rate how big a rugby fan they consider themselves to be on a scale of 1 to 10.

Heineken rewarded the fans’ passion last weekend when Heineken Cup Green Zones were set up in a number of participating Dublin pubs, to enhance the excitement and experience of the semi-final which was held on Saturday.

W h e n a s ke d h ow important it was that their province did well in the Heineken Cup, over half of Irish rugby fans surveyed admitted it was “a matter of life and death” while only 2% claimed it wasn’t important.

When asked if their own province was eliminated would they support another Irish province, a massive 66% said they would support another Irish province while a diehard group of 10% said never, choosing to stick by their province no matter what.

Bernard Dunne’s Brod Club was a huge success when it aired on RTE

Dunne delighted with the reaction to show I PAUL HOSFORD

HE is best known as a former WBA Super-bantamweight champion, but Neilstown hero Bernard Dunne has taken on a new role in recent months, as an ambassador of the Irish language.

Bernard Dunne’s Brod Club was a huge success when it aired on RTE in recent months and Dunne was delighted with the reaction the show received, especially from people who had forgotten their native tongue through the years.

“It’s been amazing. I’ve had people coming up to me on the street saying how they were inspired by the show to start using the Irish again. They say things like they wish

they had the Irish again or that they wish they’d never lost it and the show has given them a way to get it back.

“It’s been really positive and I think that starting it at St Patrick’s week was a big thing because people are generally feeling more patriotic around then,” says Dunne, who rose to fame as a fearless and gutsy fighter, but took on a completely different challenge.

The campaign is founded on the belief that there are people with a huge sense of latent pride in the Irish language, people who don’t use Irish but would like to.

It is an appeal to show your pride or your “brod” in the language.

However much or

however little you have, the message is to use it.

Use What You Have is the motto of the show.

While the series may have ended, the campaign lives on. There are still a number of events and activities that can be signed up for on the website, w w w.rte.ie/ brodclub The show reached over 1.2 million viewers in its run and Dunne is keen to highlight the importance of a national language.

“I think it’s extremely important that we have our own language. It’s part of our identity, part of who we are.

“I think the show approached it well in that we asked people just to use the cupla focail that they had. Just start

to throw it in to conversation and see what you can pick up yourself. It’s amazing what people remember of the language once they get going,” says

up a meaning wrong, but you soon become more and more comfortable as you realise that all those years in Irish class were not solely leading up to

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‘I think it’s extremely important that we have our own language. It’s part of our identity, part of who we are’

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Dunne.

Indeed, speaking to him is enlightening as he tends to drop in and out of Irish, which is unsurprising given how he has spent the past few months.

It honestly can feel somewhat intimidating at first, as you worry that you miss a word or pick

writing a letter about your summer holidays.

On that point, Dunne feels that, from his experience, school children and students want to learn Irish, but as a mode of communication, rather than as a school subject.

“The schools we were in, the kids would tell us that they wanted more

conversation, that they wanted to be able to speak the language, as well as write it.

“We’ve talked to a lot of schools and a lot of people involved in education and we feel like it’s important that it is taught as a spoken language.”

Asked whether putting Irish back in the mainstream would be as big an achievement as a world championship, Dunne looks at it another way.

“It’s not about that, really. It’s about doing your own little bit. I’m speaking Irish at home with my kids and getting better at it every day. I’m not fluent yet, but I would love to be.”

For more information on the Brod Club, log on to www.rte.ie/brodclub

3 May 2012 GAZETTE 11

12 GAZETTE 3 May 2012

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SNAPSHOT The local stories of the day

Jamie to open food festival TASTE of Dublin 2012 is back with a bang for its seventh consecutive year this summer with world renowned chef, Jamie Oliver, opening the festival.

Taking place from Thursday, June 14 to Sunday, June 17, in the stunning Iveagh Gardens, this year the stylish and popular food spectacular is acknowledging all things Irish with a stellar line up of restaurants, suppliers, produce, food and drink.

Visitors can look forward to great dining opportunities from some of Ireland’s lead-

ing eateries, enjoy high-calibre wine tastings, learn from the best home-grown and international talents, get involved at live chef demonstrations and meet with over 100 industry experts and taste exhibitors.

Paying homage to Ireland’s strong reputation on the international culinary scene, Taste of Dublin 2012 will showcase the stars of the Irish food industry as well as welcoming international culinary guests, who believe in the philosophy of using only the best Irish produce on offer.

Well-known chefs, Catherine Fulvio and Clodagh McKenna, officially launch Taste of Dublin 2012

Commenting on his visit, Oliver said: “Taste of Dublin is a fabulous platform for showcasing the best in Irish produce and cuisine and I can’t wait to kick-off the summer in true Irish style at Taste of Dublin this June.”

Home-grown talent including Rachel Allen, Clodagh McKenna and Neven Maguire, along with Darina Allen, Paul Flynn and Catherine Fulvio, will join forces with internationally acclaimed chefs, Jean

Christophe Novelli and Valentine Warner.

Together, each will aspire, not only to entertain casual dining guests throughout the weekend, but also tantalise the taste buds of the most discerning of food lovers.

Watch out as Volvo, the official car partner of the festival, whisks them across the city throughout the weekend in a fleet of stylish Volvo Ocean Race edition cars.

This year’s new headline sponsor, Electrolux,

will bring the Electrolux Cookery School and Electrolux Chef’s Theatre, a must see for any food enthusiast who wants to learn from the experts.

Tickets are on sale now at www.tasteofdublin.ie or call 0818 30 00 30; with all advance standard tickets only €20 discounted from the 2011 price of €25.

Sign up to the Taste of Dublin Newsletter at www.tasteofdublin.ie for special ticket offers and event information.

3 May 2012 GAZETTE 13

MILESTONE A number of events planned for Dublin Fire Brigade anniversary

Celebrating 150 years of service LAURA WEBB

THE Dublin Fire Brigade is celebrating 150 years servicing the citizens of Dublin city and county, and to mark the milestone anniversary a number of events have been organised for the coming months.

Serving the community since 1862, Dublin Fire Brigade is one of the few fire services in the world whose members are all trained paramedics. Each year the fire brigade receives over 133,000 fire, emergency ambulance and rescue calls.

To honour the fire fighters, commemorative events have been organised, with the first kicking off on May 31 at the Mansion House.

Some of the highlights include the reception with the Lord Mayor of Dublin, a Dublin Fire Brigade Colour Party and visiting pipe band

parade throughout Dublin’s city centre and an An Post official commemorative stamp.

Not only are there events happening across Dublin, but there is also a TV series called Fire Fighters scheduled for autumn on RTE1.

Support

The series goes behind the scenes with the men and women of the Dublin Fire Brigade as they support the community and embark on life saving missions, rescues and non-stop action responses.

The series was created by the same production company, Moondance Productions, which brought the successful series The Zoo to our screens.

Stephen Brady, chief fire officer, commented: “Dublin Fire Brigade has a long and proud tradition of serving the citizens of Dublin city and

county since its early beginnings in 1862.

“The brigade has experienced many changes throughout its history from the early steam fire engines and h o r s e - d r aw n a m b u lances to the current modern fire, rescue and emergency ambulance service.

Proud

“Our 150th anniversary gives us the opportunity to celebrate all aspects of our service both past and present and I am proud to be chief fire officer during this momentous year,” Stephen added.

To find out more about the Dublin Fire Brigade 150th Anniversary Celebrations please visit http://www.dublinfirebrigade150.ie or like them on https://www. facebook.com/pages/ Dublin-Fire-Brigade150

Fire fighters Cormac Wickham, Derek Clare and Dermot Murray from Tara Street Fire Station

14 GAZETTE 3 May 2012

GazettePETS PETS THE FACTS: DEAFNESS CAN CAUSE CONCERN, BUT

Dealing with the fact E all know that cats can be wonderful, yet stubborn creatures.

I mean, all you lovely cat owners reading this will know how frustrat-

W

ing it is when you call Kitty and she simply ignores you, kinda like you don’t matter at all.

But have you ever stopped to think that perhaps Kitty is ignoring you because she is

If your cat ignores your call – she may be deaf

unable to hear you?

Perhaps Kitty may be deaf!

Deafness in animals is not unusual, and sometimes at the shelter we rescue dogs, cats, horses and ferrets

that already have this condition. However, while it may cause concern initially, and bring about certain challenges, there is no reason whatsoever why both owner and pet cannot adapt and lead happy, healthy lives together; especially where a cat is concerned because felines generally deal pretty well with physical impairments.

Here are some guidelines which I hope you’ll find useful.

How will I know if my cat is deaf?

• She doesn’t respond when called.

• She doesn’t realise you’re in the room unless you physically touch her.

3 May 2012 GAZETTE 15

Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA

OWNERS AND PETS CAN ADAPT AND LEAD HAPPY, HEALTHY LIVES TOGETHER

that your feline friend could be deaf • You have difficulty wakening her up from her nap.

• Her walk is unbalanced.

• She appears to be disoriented.

Why are some cats deaf?

Ver y of ten, white cats are born deaf. It’s usually hereditary and is associated with the same gene that makes the cat’s fur white and is common among those white cats with blue eyes.

It’s believed the problem happens at around three to four weeks of

life and is linked to the cochlear blood supply.

However, loss of hearing can be associated with illness, old age or other health-related problems like ear mites, polyps, or even a side effect to certain medications, a visit to your vet will determine this.

Communicating with a deaf cat • Many owners parenting a deaf cat will be amazed they even have the condition. This is because Kitty’s sense of feel is amazing and highly developed and she will pick up the vibrations of

other animals as well as humans.

• A deaf cat will be easily startled so make sure to pound your feet heavily on the floor.

• Try wearing the same per fume or deodorant every day; after all, there’s nothing wrong with Kitty’s sense of smell and she’ll immediately recognise your approach.

• All cats flick their ears when they react to noises but your deaf cat will flick and move in unison in order to communicate with you and other household pets.

Watch her and study the

signs in order to understand what she wants to say to you.

• Make sure you give your deaf cat the space she requires.

All cats like to climb, however, a deaf cat will feel more comfortable climbing higher and sitting on a high shelf will give her security.

Try building a shelf or

seating area in the hot press or suspended from your ceiling; that way she can survey her territory.

• If she’ll allow you, (and make sure she is totally comfortable with this), gently place your mouth against her tummy or her head but do take care not to startle her and whisper some terms of endearment;

over emphasise certain words so that she will know you love her. Once she associates this action with love, she will purr.

• Touch your cat gently every time you enter or leave the room; this will alert her to your movements.

• Never allow your hearing impaired cat outside on her own.

I do hope you’ve found this article helpful; however, please bear in mind, it should be used as a guideline only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice.

For more information, contact your local equine vet or log onto www.dspca.ie or email me at miriam.kerins@ dspca.ie

16 GAZETTE 3 May 2012

GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY Refreshing scent of Yves Saint Laurent’s elle WE already love the signature smell of YSL’s elle, but when limited edition smells come out to play, we have to get our hands on them.

The 2012 limited edition of Yves Saint Laurent’s elle frangrance will be on shelves this May 16.

Always stylish in its bottling, the water colour bottle looks great, with its artistic brushstrokes of vibrant flashes of the YSL shades.

The scent, according to its makers, is sensual and refreshing, with its sparkling notes of grapefruit, sambac jasmine and a spicy savour of pink pepper berries.

For YSL, the woman who wears this fragrance is radiant, impulsive, who plays with light and colour.

Don’t forget to try it for yourself when it hits stores this May 16. RRP for YSL elle Limited Edition is €45 for 90ml.

Showing off that beach body SHOWING off beach bodies means firming and toning hips, thighs, bums, tums and bingo wings, but that doesn’t mean wasting energy in the gym.

A new range of skin products by quirky skin care range, Cowshed, has the answer for anyone a little gym-shy.

The new Slender Cow Range is, according to its makers, “a functional, targeted three-step program to detoxify, firm and tone skin – the ultimate pre-bikini skincare ‘workout’, designed to tone the parts that other treatments can’t reach”.

The Cowshed Slender Cow range consists of: detoxifying body scrub €39.95, body sculpting serum €44.95, extra firming body butter €34.95 According to a spokes-

person for Cowshed, this range contains: “A bespoke seaweed blend of fast-working functional ingredients; Norwegian kelp to help detoxify, pearl moss to rejuvenate and bladderwrack proven to improve skin elasticity. Slender Cow’s body sculpting serum and Slender Cow’s extra firming body butter each contain the unique super-ingredient dermochlorella – a freshwater micro algae, clinically proven to improve skin tone and firmness by up to 46% and decrease the appearance of stretch marks by up to 32% after 12 weeks continual use.”

Here are Cowshed’s three key steps to getting that bikini ready body: Step 1: use detoxifying body scrub – to detoxify, tone and smooth skin,

The Cowshed Slender Cow range consists of the detoxifying body scrub, body sculpting serum and extra firming body butter

with this lu xurious Himalayan pink salt and Dead Sea salt scrub. It purifies the skin, removes toxins and prepares skin for the next sculpting step.

Step 2: use body sculpting serum – to target cellulite, firm, nourish and tone. This

cellulite boosting formulation contains a trio of nourishing oils including tamanu, macadamia nut and borage seed to help strengthen skin, whilst reducing the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks. A blend of uplifting essential oils of sweet orange and petitgrain,

ylang ylang and carrot seed oil all effectively target stubborn areas, stimulating and conditioning the skin, whilst also breaking down vexing toxins.

Step 3: Use Extra Firming Body Butter – to target cellulite, firm and condition.

3 May 2012 GAZETTE 17

Edited by Laura Webb

Shop until you drop with Wonderbra’s brand new website

The new Heidi Klein spring/summer swimwear collection is now available at Brown Thomas

Stylish swimwear for summer ST YLISH swimwear can be hard to come by, but when you find the perfect match it boosts confidence for holidaying in the sun, one brand bringing confidence to the beach is Heidi K lein and the new collection is now available.

T h e d e s i g n s h ave been worn by celebrities all over, from Sienna Miller to Kate Moss, Kelly Brook to Gwyneth Paltrow, just some of the stylish women working the brand.

Launch

To launch the fabulous spring/summer collection Heidi Gosman, co -founder of Heidi Klein brand, will visit Brown Thomas Dublin on Thursday, May 10.

The visit coincides with the launch of Oh Buoy! The summer event at Brown Thomas. Heidi will be on hand to meet customers to chat about the best styles for the many different body shapes that are out there.

What’s great about this design of swimwear is that her designs feature hidden suppor t functions to flatter and enhance.

The look of the 1960s French Riviera is inspi-

ration for both resort and summer collections.

These timeless styles h ave c o n t e m p o r a r y details that add to the elegant shapes and pieces designed for the

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

‘What’s great about this design of swimwear is that her designs feature hidden support functions to flatter and enhance’

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

collection. The hidden support and secret padding with under wiring ensures every fit is perfect for each unique body shape.

Colours of olives, golds and elegant dark grey provide rich earthy colours, while the turquoise of the Mediterranean Sea is referenced in the best selling signature coral and snake print. Nautical navy and white are always well suited to the summer season.

The new collection is available exclusively at Brown Thomas.

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SHOP til you drop online with Wonderbra, after the global brand re-launched its website for customers in Ireland and the UK. Let’s face it, if we are not shopping in the high streets, we are shopping online to find the latest in fashion, beauty, and eyeing up what is on trend. Knowing this was the best tool for its Irish customers the world’s most well known underwear brand – Wonderbra – has done tailored to our needs. www.wonderbra.eu showcases the full Wonderbra collection, replacing the previous site wonderbra.co.uk.

The new site is transactional, allowing Wonderbra to effectively meet the needs of its target consumers who are heavy online users.

On the site there is a store finder and it features the full range of products modelled by face of Wonderbra, Adriana Cernanova, with simple navigation for ease of shopping.

18 GAZETTE 3 May 2012

GazetteMUSIC MUSIC FastTunes with Radio Nova’s Dee Woods

HOMETOWN GIG: THREE OF BEST NEW BANDS COME TOGETHER

Dublin’s finest join up as JD supergroup I ROB HEIGH

EVER hang out with Adam Clayton in Malahide Village? Did you audition for a band at Mount Temple along with Paul Hewson and Dave Evans? Ever make music with Larry Mullen Jnr in the Artane Boys’ Band?

Then congratulations: you know one of the fifth richest musicians in the world!

U2 are sitting at No 5 in The Sunday Times’ Musical Rich List. Bono, Edge, Larry and Adam collectively worth a whopping €625 million.

Although there is a sense of pride (excuse the pun) to see our lads so high up on a list of mostly English and American richies, I do have to wonder — in these tough times — what is the point of publishing a list that may as well be called “People That Will Always Be Richer Than You But Probably Work A Lot Less”?

Yes, I know the likes of U2 and Paul McCartney are worth millions. Sure, haven’t I been giving them my cash since I was old enough to walk to the record shop on my own?

But in case you don’t mind having your nose rubbed in others’ wealth: Just ahead of U2 on the list is Andrew Lloyd Webber with a wealth worth singing about at €720 million; Paul McCartney’s in at No 3 with wife, Nancy Shevall, with €810 million; the second richest musical figure is theatre producer, Cameron Mackintosh, with €885 million, and top of this very high pile is record executive Clive Calder, with €1.65 billion in his pockets.

Maybe I’m being excessively sensitive to this annual printing tradition.

If I’m honest, my biggest problem with this Musical Rich List is the fact that David and Victoria Beckham are on it (in at joint-tenth place with Daniel Ek with €232 million) In fairness, I’d say David’s pre-match mumbling of England’s national anthem has contributed more to the music world than Victoria ever did. I wonder does he ever serenade her at home? “God save the Lean”, maybe?

DUBLIN has been long recognised as a hotbed of talent for young bands who make the jump from the local scene to the international stratosphere, and that tradition looks set to continue with the success and buzz about upcoming new bands, including Delorentos, The Minutes and We Cut Corners.

These alt-rock pioneers are set to take the stage in salute to their hometown roots as part of JD Roots, an innovative new music initiative by Jack Daniels that celebrates the unique influence of home towns on the music and character of some of the most exciting and talked about bands on the current music scene, which takes place in a unique, one-off, free live performance in The Button Factory, Dublin on Friday, May 18.

In what promises to be an intriguing process, the three bands will collaborate for the first time ahead of the gig to explore artists and songs from Dublin who have inspired and influenced their musical style and direction.

The bands will then play what promises to be a thrilling show in The

Delorentos, The Minutes and We Cut Corners line up ahead of their JD Roots gig

Button Factory, where they will perform a selection of songs from their own set lists as well as a selection by Dublin artists who have made the greatest impact on them and their music.

This unique show - the first and possibly only time all three acts will perform on the same stage together - is sure to make its own contribution to Dublin’s rich and evolving music scene.

Fresh from the critical acclaim of their third studio album, Little Sparks, released in Januar y, Delorentos are at the very top of their game.

Lauded as ones to watch in 2012 among music critics across Ireland and the UK, The Minutes have been blazing a trail on the live music scene over the past 12 months, and they were personally picked

by Noel Gallagher as support for his first-ever solo live show with The High Flying Birds at The Olympia.

We Cut Corners were winners of The JD Set Unsigned in 2009 and the Dublin duo have been amassing fans ever since, and received a Meteor Choice Prize nomination for their debut album,

Today I Realised I Could Go Home Backwards.

Delorentos co-lead singer, Ronan Yourell, said: “We are genuinely excited about the chance to work closely with two of Dublin’s great new bands, The Minutes and We Cut Corners, on JD Roots.

“Dublin as a city and a place has a magical and powerful history, something which has had a massive influence on all of us for different reasons.

Through our conversations to date, we’ve all got just a little bit excited about the possibilities and the chance to pay tribute

to some of the artists, which have been shaped

by Dublin was too tempting to resist for all of us.

“The challenge will be to settle on a shortlist of songs and then bringing something new, fresh and personal to them. It should be a really exciting live show.”

Tickets for this exclusive JD Roots performance at the Button Factory are free and are available now at www.jdroots.ie. All those who register will go into a draw for tickets. A limited number of tickets will also be available on the Jack Daniel’s Ireland Facebook page.

3 May 2012 GAZETTE 19

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported by AIB

Interview: Ronan Doyle and Tony Mallon, partners, Compositedoors.ie

Only the very best in doors and windows COMPOSITEDOORS.IE have opened a new stateof-the-art showroom, conveniently located at 3 St Gall Gardens South, Columbanus, in Dundrum, The business, owned by partners Tony Mallon and Ronan Doyle both locals to the Dundrum area, has grown so much over the past 18 months that they decided to open the showroom so that prospective clients can see the superior quality of the Palladio composite doors at first hand.

The partners realised that after the severe winter conditions of 2010 – 2011, there was a market for energy-efficient products, particularly since most of the business in the construction market was now to do with refurbishment/retro fitting. Home owners have also become more knowledgeable about the need to conserve energy in their homes. They also realised that there was no website on the Irish internet which was user-friendly for home owners thinking of changing their entrance door or back door.

Tony has been involved in the manufacture, supply and installation of “A” rated windows and doors to the domestic market throughout Dublin and the surrounding areas for over 15 years, and also supplies to the window and building trade.

Ronan has been involved in the hardwood flooring business for 12 years and has supplied and installed plank and design floors throughout the Dublin region.

REPOSSESSION Q – The arrears on my mortgage will never be paid, let alone the normal repayments. Currently, I am on an interest only facility but this ends next month. My partner lost his job and we can just about afford to feed our two children and ourselves. If our home is repossessed, how long does the process take and can they still pursue us for any outstanding debt on the property?

Theresa - Mulhuddart A - My sympathies to you on your situation. First of all, you are not alone. There are many many borrowers with similar stories. Like Robins Williams in Good Will Hunting AND Enda Kenny said “it’s not your fault” and what is really important is your family and surviving this period of time.

Cash is king and income is your number one asset and you have to protect and prioritise both. Under the Central Bank guidelines, lenders are holding off repossession of homes for up to two years. What is crucial is both budgeting – put down on paper all your expenditure irrespective of income – and communication.

As regards outstanding debt, your names are already on the Irish Credit Bureau for missed payments – and stay there for five years – and if you have a judgment against you, it stays there for life.

But, you may never want to borrow again. If there is a deficit on the home after the lender has repossessed, sold the property and put the proceeds against your mortgage, you then have three options:

Compositedoors.ie is a new venture by Ronan Doyle and Tony Mallon, supplying doors, floors and windows

1. The outstanding balance may be written off by the lender if it is decided not to pursue a bankruptcy

Q&A

course.

2. The lender may ask you to repay an unsecured

When you were a kid, what did you want to be?

Ronan: A fireman.

Tony: A pilot.

What was your first job?

Ronan: Helping the milkman on his rounds delivering milk.

Tony: Grocery shop assistant.

And your first pay check?

Ronan: £14.

Tony: Half a crown.

Ronan: Too many.

Tony: 35.

Ronan: Volkswagen Passat Estate.

Tony: Lexus.

At what time does your working day begin and end?

Ronan: Begins at 7am, when I get up and it doesn’t end!

Tony: 8:30am to 7pm.

Would you ever bungee jump?

Ronan: No. Tony: Yes.

What is the greatest thrill of your working week?

Ronan: Confirmed sales.

Tony: Getting great feedback from happy customers.

When did you start your present job?

Ronan: After being made redundant in 2010, I started my first business Architechural Flooring, and then set up Compositedoors.ie with Tony at the beginning of 2011.

And what part of your job do you dislike the most?

Ronan: I don’t dislike any of it.

Becoming self-employed was the best move I ever made.

Tony: Making the tea.

Tony – I have been supplying and installing windows for 15 years, but set up Compositedoors.ie with Ronan in early 2011.

Do you fly Ryanair or anybody else but Ryanair?

Ronan: I’m not fussy, once I get there I don’t mind who brings me.

Tony: Whoever is cheapest.

How many people do you have to talk with every day?

What car do you drive?

Do you play any sport?

Ronan: Golf.

Tony: Golf.

What is your favourite food?

Ronan: Steak and chips.

Tony: Seafood.

And drink?

Ronan: Heineken.

Tony: White wine.

What is the name of your favourite shop?

Ronan: Compositedoors.ie Tony: House of Fraser.

How many times each week do you go the “hole in the wall”?

Ronan: No idea.

Tony: Twice

How many times each year do you shop for clothes?

Ronan: Three.

Tony: 10.

Where is your favourite holiday destination?

Ronan: South of France.

Tony: Laguna Beach, California.

loan over an agreed period for the outstanding balance on a monthly basis.

3. You can go to court via the personal insolvency route, declare bankruptcy whereby the debt is wiped and after three years, you may start afresh.

Whereas in the past, there was a stigma attached to being declared bankrupt, over the coming years it is going to be a norm. In the US, they nearly clap you on the back on bankruptcy (at least they tried) and they dust themselves down and start all over again.

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

Ronan: Three.

Tony: Six. What other job in the whole world would you really like to have?

Ronan: Professional golfer.

Tony: Taoiseach.

When do you wish to retire?

Ronan: Never.

Tony: As soon as I can afford to.

What will you do then?

Tony – Play more golf!

Keep communicating with your creditors – they cannot get blood from a stone but compassion has to be the order of the day.

Contact John with your money questions at

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

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20 GAZETTE 3 May 2012

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS RoadSigns Road Signs

Range Rover Evoque-s Car of the Year Award with writers THE Range Rover Evoque has been named Supreme Winner of the Women’s World Car of the Year 2012, as well as the top-ranked model in the luxury car category.

This latest success sustains the exceptional acclaim with which Evoque has been greeted around the world, reflected in more than 110 separate honours.

The Women’s World Car of the Year is judged by a panel of 17 women motoring writers from around the world.

Each vehicle considered for an award is rated according to criteria which reflect issues that are important to women car buyers.

These include practical elements, such as safety, the amount of storage space, childfriendliness, environmental performance and value for money, and also elements such as design aesthetics.

Having achieved the highest marks in the luxury car section, the Range Rover Evoque went on to be named their Car of the Year.

Although the results have been announced this week, official presentation of the trophy to Land Rover will take place at the Paris Motor Show in September.

Responding to the news of this latest honour, John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand director said: “The Women’s World Car of the Year title further reflects the great market reach of Evoque.

“Across the world, women are a customer base in their own right, so it is vital for any manufacturer to ensure their products meet their preferences and requirements.

“As a vehicle designed, engineered and built in Britain, the Range Rover Evoque continues to demonstrate its world-class appeal.

“We are delighted that as well as the 111 honours it has received for its design, engineering and performance, it has proved just as successful in terms of excellent global sales.”

Mazda’s new compact SUV, the CX-5, is an exceptionally complete car

Mazda’s impressive new compact SUV I CORMAC CURTIS

INBA Ittai… don’t worry, when I first heard those words at April’s launch of Mazda’s new compact SUV, the CX-5, I hadn’t a clue what they were on about either.

But, according to Mazda, Jinba Ittai is the state of “oneness between car and driver” that the company has gone to great lengths to achieve.

Such a lofty and ambitious target is admirable, and, no doubt, the suits in the top-level boardroom at Mazda HQ all nodded their approval when the concept was pitched.

But, as with all visionary developments in the motoring world, it was the engineers and designers who were, no doubt, left scratching their heads when this new and innovative direction was decreed.

It has to be said, those same engineers and designers really did push the boat out on this one.

J

Working from a completely clean slate, the company’s new direction was approached with four key elements in mind: emotional and appealing design, interior functionality and craftsmanship, predictable and responsive driving dynamics, and sustainability. All of which makes for quite a mouthful.

Lucky for us, all of this “blue sky” thinking has brought together each of Mazda’s Skyactiv technologies together into an all-new and very impressive compact SUV. The Gazette was lucky enough to be invited to the launch of the CX-5 in Vienna, where two variants were available for test drives.

Easing into the day, my driving buddy and I opted for the less powerful option, a two-wheel drive, 150bhp 2.2-litre diesel engine with an automatic transmission.

This is Mazda’s first foray into the segment, but everything about the

car suggests that they are past masters at it.

Starting with the allimportant looks, we are talking about something that is unmistakably Mazda, but with an allnew excitement and edge to it.

For me, the design of the CX-5 is absolutely spot-on.

My first glance at the car – well, about 50 of them actually, all lined up at the launch – was a side profile of the “black mica” coloured version.

Even though it’s their first SUV, you wouldn’t mistake this car for anything other than Mazda, while at the same time, it has just as much impact and presence as a BMW X5, but a whole lot more current.

We’re told that the inspiration for the front end of the car is the cheetah, and, even if you never see the resemblance, the look does evoke a slight sense of menace.

All-in-all, pretty much every box in the looks

department is well and truly ticked.

The power comes from a choice of engines, and those available in the Irish market are set to be a 2-litre petrol with 165bhp, a 2.2-litre diesel with 150bhp and a 2.3-litre diesel with 170bhp.

The days of SUV cars coming with 3-litre, gas guzzling engines would appear to be a thing of the past, and the 165bhp automatic version of the CX-5 we tested is rated to achieve a combined fuel consumption of 5.3l/100km, whereas the higher-powered 175bhp version with the manual six-speed transmission can still achieve an impressive 5.2l/100km.

These figures are partly due to the 14:1 compression ratio that the engines achieve – a world-leading achievement in a massproduction vehicle.

Clearly Mazda’s engineers have put some serious work in to the performance and efficiency of these new engines, but putting

all these stats and figures to one side for a moment, it’s also worth noting the features that Mazda have included elsewhere in the car.

It may not be something you will need to use all that often, but the sat nav system in the car is of the TomTom variety – one of my personal favourites.

The interior of the car offers some very useful cargo space, with a threeway split for the seats, all folding down with ease to cater for a variety of load options.

With the seats up, the CX-5 actually offers classleading space in the boot, with space for four fullsized suitcases, beating both the VWTiguan (twothree cases) and the Ford Kuga (three cases).

For those moments of musical indulgence, there is a terrific Bose sound system with nine highperformance speakers and background noise compensation technology.

On the safety front,

3 May 2012 GAZETTE 21

SUPPORT

LOCAL BUSINESS

Mazda’s smart City Brake support feature is also included – offering automatic emergency braking at a 6-metre distance when travelling between

4 and 30 km/h.

Other safety features are a rear vehicle monitoring system, that lights up an LED in your rearview mirror when another

vehicle is passing, as well as a lane departure warning system, where the steering wheel vibrates if you stray too far from the centre of your lane.

This is an exceptionally complete car, and with prices starting at €25,195 for the petrol version, it will appeal to an awful lot of people.

Donation: Raising funds for Guide Dogs IRISH Guide Dogs for the Blind officially

launched their annual fundraising car draw at the Cork City Ford Centre recently. The winning prize is a brand new Ford Focus valued at €20,000 donated by Ford Ireland.

A number of Irish Guide Dog’s staff and their dogs took time to attend the launch. Tickets can be bought on the charity’s website at www.guidedogs.ie or from volunteers who

are selling them nationwide. Tickets are €5 each and the draw will take place on Saturday, December 1.

Pictured are Eddie Murphy, chairman and managing director of Ford Ireland, and Padraig Mallon, chief executive of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, at the launch the car draw with a little help from dogs in training: Hector, Megan, Kuta and Creem.

SKODA have announced their new compact saloon will be called the Rapid.

The car will make its debut in Europe before the year is out.

A Chinese version of the Rapid will be built and sold in China from 2013.

The close to series concept car MissionL China, which Skoda are displaying at Auto China 2012 in Beijing, provides a specific preview of the new Chinese model.

“As part of its growth strategy, Skoda has initiated the largest model offensive in its corporate history and will bring a new vehicle to market every six months on average in the years ahead,” Skoda CEO, Winfried Vahland, said at the brand’s press conference in Beijing.

“The Rapid is our next new model at the starting gate. It has a central importance for our growth and will provide us with a strong tailwind on international markets,” said Vahland.

With the Rapid, Skoda offer an attractive and family-oriented model in a world’s growing segment between the Fabia and the Octavia.

The MissionL design study provides a specific preview of the car’s design and concept.

For the design of the interior Skoda did an extensive research in China and asked customers about their individual wishes to build for them a car they exactly want. MissionL China and the future compact sedan are the ideal combination of Skoda genes and Chinese demand.

Skoda showed the MissionL’s European variant at IAA 2011 in Frankfurt and are displaying a version modified for Chinese market in Beijing.

“MissionL China is true Skoda. It perfectly embodies the brand’s values: fresh design, functionality, roominess, ingenuity, and price to value ratio typical for our cars,” Vahland added.

“This car makes a clear statement: precise and emotional. Lots of room for the driver, passengers and luggage. An ideal car for families. Simply clever.”

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SHOP Skoda make a Rapid leap forward LOCALLY

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22 GAZETTE 3 May 2012

GazetteTTRAVEL

Edited by Mimi Murray

Bath’s Pulteney Bridge (above) and The Old Parsonage (right) highlight the beauty and history in the town, while Bristol (top right) is a walker’s dream, with plenty to see and do. Pics: VisitBath/Dave Pratt

WEST COUNTRY: WITH COUNTRYSIDE IN TOUCHING DISTANCE, BRISTOL AND BATH HAVE IT ALL

West is best with breaks, shopping and sightseeing RAVEL to the west country couldn’t be easier these days with direct flights to Bristol, your gateway to the region.

Whether it’s a short city break to Bristol or Bath you’re after or seeking out the lush quaint honey coloured countryside of the Cotswolds, the English west country offers a fascinating and diverse range of experiences for all travellers.

With a plethora of things to do and see, visitors are also spoilt with excellent quality accommodation, places to eat and drink, histor y, culture, the great outdoors as well as exciting shopping outlets, sure to provide genuine retail therapy.

After your short flight

T

to Bristol (less than an hour from Dublin) , the first port of call for any dedicated shopper is the Clifton Village area of Bristol, offering up many up-market independent shops and boutiques selling jewellery, art, gifts, furniture, fashion good food and more.

For those after a genuine bargain, try one of the many outlet stores in the region, including the Mulberry Factory shop which is close-by.

If your legs haven’t given in, you will be spoilt for choice with a wide range of award winning and reasonably priced restaurants and gastropubs in the area, ser ving some of the many locally brewed craft beers and ciders

from the region.

A relaxing Bath After taking in the sights and sounds of Bristol, the next port of call has got to be the jewel in the crown of the region, the Roman city of Bath.

Built around the only natural hot spring in England, the entire area of the city is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Take a lazy stroll around the streets of this architectural treasure and view the stunning Royal Crescent, the Circus, Pulteney Bridge amongst other gems and finish up with a trip to Thermae Bath Spa, Britain’s original and only natural thermal spa where you can enjoy the warm,

mineral-rich waters as enjoyed by the Celts and Romans over 2000 years ago, now that is real therapy!

A trip to the west countr y wouldn’t do the region justice without exploring some of delights the countryside has to offer.

For golfers there is some of the finest golf courses England has, offering easy great choice and beautiful scenery.

With over 6,100km of dedicated walking and cycling tracks, along with 1000s of acres of national trust parkland there is plenty of ways to find the inner explorer in you.

Such amenities also provide an excellent area for bird watching

and other green pursuits.

The west country is also steeped in pagan, Christian and mythical history, legend and landmarks.

A number of must see experiences includes Stonehenge and the village of Glastonbury whose abbey houses the first Christian sanctuary, visited by none other than our own St Patrick and where King Arthur’s final resting place lies, so the legend goes.

No cheesy pun!

For the foodies amongst us, a visit to Cheddar, the home of cheese is top priority.

Spawning many excellent artisan cheese makers, a visit to Cheddar

offers the opportunity to sample real cheese which is creamy and delicious with a choice of pasteurised and unpasteurised.

You’ll soon forget the rubbery stuff in supermarkets!

A good base for all of these places is a lovely old bed and breakfast called The Old Parsonage just outside Bath, a grade II sandstone house built in the 1680s.

They provide great cooked breakfast with home made bread served on Wedgwood Devon Rose china, continental coffee, yogurt, fresh fruit and various cereals.

For details log on to www.theoldparsonagebandb.co.uk.

3 May 2012 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 23

24 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 3 May 2012

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT

GoingOUT THE PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929 Nubes (Clouds)

EVER watched a cloud turn into a sheep right before your eyes? Enter an enchanting, joyful world full of moving objects and dream-like imagery. Nubes (Clouds) takes a wildly imaginative approach to the theme of clouds, inspired by the surrealist artist Magritte. Audiences of all ages will delight in watching vibrant dances and inventive scenes involving flippers, ladders and puppets in suits. This show can be enjoyed at 2pm and 4.30pm on May 12 and 13.

Tickets start at €40 for a family then range from €14 to €8.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 Opera d’Arte EXPERIENCE all the passions of opera in one spectacular production, featuring leading voices of the Irish and International operatic stage. With piano accompaniment by musical director, DAVID WRAY (musical director: Opera in the Open, Music Theatre Ireland), Immerse yourself in a diverse programme of musical masterpieces including selections from La Traviata, Carmen, Cosi Fan Tutte, Bohème, The Magic Flute, Die Fledermaus and The Barber of Seville. May 9, 8pm, tickets priced at €26/24.

CIVIC THEATRE 01 462 7477 Fruitcake STARRING Mary McEvoy (Biddy in Glenroe) as Della Dolan, Fruitcake starts off as a cookery demonstration but develops into an account of one woman’s life with each ingredient reminding her of past memories and decisions made which ultimately change the course of her life. For two shows at 8pm and 3pm, in the Civic Theatre’s Main Auditorium on May 8, this show is guaranteed to go down well. Tickets are priced at €15 with a €12 concession. There will be €10 special Bealtaine tickets for the matinee.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 Thought Once Was THIS double bill promises to be a visceral feast for the senses. The Space Where Thought Once Was, is an exploration into Dementia. The second work is entitled Scatenato, from the Italian musical term, meaning wild, unchained, and loose. Joining the dancers on stage will be the Contempo String Quartet, Galway’s Ensemble in Residence. There will be just one show, on May 8 at 8pm and tickets priced at €16 or €12 concession are sure to sell fast.

Many captions might ask is it a bird? Is it a plane? But this paper knows the difference between the Marvel and DC multiverses

Gods and heroes The biggest film of the year so far crashes, bangs and wallops its way to our screens. And boy, is it mighty I PAUL HOSFORD

YOU could be forgiven for thinking, with the past week’s inclement weather, that summer is an age away.

Or maybe, if you’re like myself, you know that a much better bellweather of the seasons in Ireland is the arrival of certain films.

Oscar-worthy contenders mean that it is one month either side of Christmas, Adam Sandler’s latest execrable offering means you are either side of the summer.

And the long, hot, rainy days of summer well and truly arrive when the first blockbuster finds its way into cinemas.

This year, the first one up is Avengers Assemble, the Marvel dream team movie that many thought would never see the light of day and has essentially had it’s

FILM OF THE WEEK: Avengers Assemble ##### (12A) 143 mins Director: Joss Whedon Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddlestone

OUR VERDICT: THIS is it. If ever there was confirmation that nerds had inherited the earth it is this. Creator of Buffy and Firefly directing? Check. A faithful comic book adaptation high on action? Check. Scarlett Johannson in leather for much of the film? Check and check. Avengers Assemble is pitch perfect action. It never stops to take a breath and will leave audiences absolutely thrilled.

story being told since the final scene of Iron Man in 2008.

Since Tony Stark’s first outing, Captain America was brought to life as The First Avenger, a reboot made The Hulk Incredible again, Thor flexed his Mighty muscles and Iron Man got a second run.

All of these films had neat crossovers and, if you’ve seen the lot, the early pace of Assemble won’t confuse you.

I f y o u h ave n ’t , i t doesn’t matter because there are super heroes on screen. Lots of

them.

Of course, the biggest reservation to be had with a project such as this is that there will be too many super-cooks to spoil the super-broth, as it were.

But, with the foundations already laid, director Joss Whedon takes the ball and just runs with it.

Not a ponderous run, either, this is full on, balls-to-wall sprinting for over two hours.

This is as close to joy as summer cinema will ever get. Whedon’s script is peppered with

comedic gold and the actors all seem to be having a blast.

Dow ney Junior as Tony Stark is a marriage made in heaven.

Downey has made a superhero role his own to the extent that many associate the hero with the actor, not the other way around, a trap that Val Kilmer and Michael Keaton know all too well.

His acerbic barbs, particularly to Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, are a pleasure, as is the warmth and sweetness that is inherent in Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner.

Ruffalo is the third actor to don the stretchy pants of the verdant monster with anger issues in only nine years.

In lesser hands, the role would be a throwaway or an attempt to ape predecessors, but this is Mark Ruffalo.

The man is simply too good to let a role like this slip by.

Evans’ Captain America keeps the group honourable, while Samuel L Jackson’s Nick Fury keeps them all in line, acting as the world’s largest babysitter.

But, what use is a cadre of heroes if they have nobody to fight?

Enter Loki, Thor’s brother and a reject of Asgard.

He is thoroughly evil and Tom Hiddlestone injects him with a smirk and a swagger that genuinely make you believe he can topple the finest collection of heroes ever.

Overall, this is what you want from the summer.

Fun, breathless and frenetic, it has an emotional depth that few directors could have attained.

Assemble some friends and go.

3 May 2012 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 25

GazetteGAMING GAMING Breaking down the plays for Madden’s latest run PAUL HOSFORD

WITH the NFL draft having dominated the US media - both sports and mainstream - last weekend, fans of American Football are licking their lips in anticipation of what their new players will bring to the table.

But, with free-agency, the draft and Bountygate put to bed, football fans need the next milestone to look forward to.

For a fan of the gridiron who lives 3,000 miles away from the nearest professional stadium, the marker that the season is here has traditionally been the arrival of NFL Madden on whatever console I fancied it.

From owning it on an oddly-shaped cartridge on the Mega Drive, through PS One and PS2 iterations, it is the one game franchise to which I am oddly loyal.

Part of it is knowledge based. Before I knew the game, the easiest way of getting to know who the guys on the less glamorous squads were was to fire up the XBox and go through the rosters of teams like the Chiefs, Browns and Jaguars.

But, mostly, it is blind faith.

Every year, I go back to Madden hoping and praying that it will deliver the deep, enrich-

ing football experience that I, and many others, crave.

Last year was not the year.

Don’t get me wrong, the 2012 vintage was a perfectly serviceable game, but with no real competition anymore, Madden seems to have gotten lazy.

The absence of the 2K series has allowed EA Sports more or less phone it in.

Think of the renaissance of the FIFA franchise and you think of the years the EA behemoth spent in the doldrums at the expense of Seabass Takatsuka and Konami’s Pro Evolution series.

With that in mind, Madden 12’s major selling point was an improved presentation system.

Yes, seeing your players led onto the field by mascots and announced by position and college attended was nice the first couple of times, but was it really worth a year’s development?

The commentary became repetitive to anyone who played the game regularly and a complete lack of presentation for created or modified teams meant the diamond lost its lustre fairly quickly.

The game’s biggest failing, however, was the franchise mode that was as shallow as a Kardashian and about

Bytesandpieces Nintendo continues its losses DESPITE dominating the Asian marketplace with its new handheld console, Nintendo posted its first annual losses this week, but the $460 million figure wasn’t as bad as first feared.

The losses, which were included in financial results up to March 31, were caused by poor hardware sales.

The company’s net sales dropped 36.2pc compared to the previous year. While Nintendo said it cut the price of its Nintendo 3DS console below its cost price, sales were slower in Europe and the US during the Christmas period than previous years.

It sold 13.53m Nintendo 3DS consoles and 9.84m Nintendo Wii consoles.

Nintendo has said it believes it will make an operating profit of 35bn yen (US$429m) in the coming year, and that it will release games such as New Super Mario Bros. 2 and Animal Crossing to drive up Nintendo 3DS software sales.

It expects to sell the 3DS above its cost price by the middle of the financial year and will also launch the Wii U at the end of 2012.

Madden 13 will let you live the dream – if your dream involves being Matt Cassell

half as much fun at times.

The thrill of unearthing a draft steal in the fourth round was lost because of a clumsy scouting system that requires you to whittle down all seven picks to just 75 players’ physical attributes and then five that you could get full disclosure on.

As anyone who has read War Room, Michael Holley’s seminal account of the New England Patriots success in the mid 00s will know, making a team capable of collecting a championship takes a lot more than knowing that a quarterback tipped to be a highround pick has a weak arm and poor stamina.

The amount of effort an NFL franchise actually puts in to drafting players coming from college is staggering and the art of guessing what each team will do is itself a multi-million dollar industry.

For EA to boil it down to the bare minimum makes the franchise mode feel like a lottery.

It hurts that there is no feedback on likely

weak positions in the following season, nor is there an option to see upcoming free agents like there is in the NHL series, which continues to set the bar for EA games.

While the exponentially superior NCAA Football got all of these things more or less spot on, Madden trailed.

But the good news is that EA appears to have listened to the fans, in an attempt to win back the fans deserting its star title for what is essentially meant to be a little brother.

Changes this year include:

Dropbacks The days of all snaps being identical are gone.

Quarterbacks are getting seven-step drops, five-step drops and so on, which will make the game feel more realistic on both sides of the ball.

Trajectories As someone who plays the game (www. rhinos.ie since you asked) , my greatest frustration has been the inability to throw a pass in anything other than a

laser or a lob.

This year, there will be 25 trajectories to get the ball to the receiver in the most appropriate way.

QB Avoidance Moves You’re going to move more slowly in the pocket this time around – at least when looking to pass – but now you have the eight directions of the right stick to move your quarterback. These little stab moves buy you time to get free and make the play.

Receiver Awareness Receivers never make mistakes. I say this as a card carrying member of the club. But, this year, the icons over receivers will light up when a player is expecting a pass.

This doesn’t mean he’s open. This just means the receiver is looking for the ball. Similarly, you can throw when the icon isn’t lit up, but the chances of a catch are lower.

Other changes include read and react defenses and better special teams.

All of which sound good, whether you know what Green Right Slot Spider 3 Y Banana is or not.

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26 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 3 May 2012

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28 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 3 May 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

CRICKET: LOCAL UNDER-19 PLAYERS NAMED IN OZ PANEL

Local winners from the Great Ireland Run 2012 DUBLIN Gazette Newspapers is once again delighted to announce the winners of this year’s local prizes for participants in the Great Ireland Run, which took place in the Phoenix Park on April 15.

Here is the list of the top local male and female finishers in the race, who win a specially designed plaque as well as prizes of sports gear - we will be in touch with you shortly.

Blanch Gazette Sean MacSeoin 34:39 Dervila Holmes 39:04 Castleknock Gazette Kieran Gallagher 35:19 Kate O’Neill 36:51 Clondalkin Gazette Mohammed Dahir 38:57 Deirdre Daly 46:56 Dundrum Gazette Peter Toomey 36:41 Aoife Clarke 44:57 Dun Laoghaire Gazette Flavio Rea 40:46 Lindsay McMillan 47:42 Lucan Gazette Karl Fitzgerald 37:40 Niamh Maher 41:43 Malahide Gazette Niall McArdle 35:55 Michelle Tyrrell 45:24 Swords Gazette David Gargan 37:06 Suzanne Sheehy 40:17

Shane Getkate is one of the young players named in the 19-strong panel who will compete for a place in the final 15 for Australia

World Cup beckons sport@gazettegroup.com

MALAHIDE men Shane Getkate and Peter Chase have both been named in the Ireland Under-19 team, as part of their continuing preparations for the World Cup campaign in Australia this summer.

After months of hard work under the watchful eye of national coach, Phil Simmons, and U-19 head coach, Ryan Eagleson, the panel has been whittled down to 19 youngsters who will be hoping to make the final cut of 15 for the biennial event.

The U-19 World Cup has been the platform that has launched successful international careers for established stars such as the O’Brien brothers, Boyd Rankin, Paul Stirling,

Gary Wilson, William Porterfield and left-arm spinner, Dublin George Dockrell.

Indeed, the conversion rate of players going on to play senior representative cricket is ver y impressive — from the last three U-19 World Cups, a total of 14 players have gone on to gain senior international recognition.

O f t h e 19 n a m e s announced by Cricket Ireland, Dockrell, Graeme McCarter and Getkate have all attracted the attention of English county sides, while Andy McBrine was voted Young Player of 2011 by the Cricket Writers of Ireland.

Under-19 head coach Eagleson, a former international himself, said: “T he selectors will monitor everyone’s

form and performance from the beginning of the season.

“Form and fitness will be taken into consideration when the final 15 are selected. This might include boys who are not in this reduced squad if their form justifies selection,” said Eagleson.

The fitness angle is worrying experienced team manager Brian Walsh, who has been at the helm since 2004.

He said: “We are a little concerned at some of the injuries that the boys are picking up.

“If we were going now to the World Cup, three or four of the boys would not be fit enough to be selected.”

The U-19s will play practice matches against Ulster Grasshoppers (June 1), and the MCC

( June 15) before the ICC European U-19 Challenge series against their peers in Scotland at the start of July.

Two games against England U-19s follow, before the World Cup touring party leaves on

July 25 for a nine-day training camp in Darwin.

Ireland are drawn in Group A of the tournament and will play England, Australia and Nepal in Townsville, starting on August 12.

George Dockrell: Attracting attention

3 May 2012 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 29

CRICKET: LADIES OPEN CAMPAIGN IN ECB DIVISION

2012 DUBLIN SPORTS AWARDS APRIL WINNERS

Batting for Ireland

STARof theMONTH CAROLINE RYAN GARDA’S cycling sensation claimed Ireland’s first elite world track medal since Harry Reynolds back in 1897, winning bronze in Melbourne, as well as setting a personal best and new Irish record for the women’s individual pursuit on the final day of the 2012 world track championships in the Australian city.

TEAMof theMONTH

MALAHIDE CS

AN all-ages golfing machine, Malahide calmly saw off the challenge of Kilkenny in the Irish Schools’ National Matchplay competition to add to the schools’ impressive run of sporting achievements at Naas Golf Club in a thrilling final set of games.

SUMMERTIME, and the living is...soggy.

In spite of the rain, the sun came out and shone on some great performances by our sports stars last month, and it’s time to honour them with the Stars they deserve.

An incredible length of time had passed between successes on the track for Ireland’s cyclists, and Caroline Ryan was a deserving candidate to revise that trend, which she did in style at the world

Ireland’s ladies Elena Tice, Emma Flanagan and Isobel Joyce at the launch of the new national cricket kit

sport@gazettegroup.com

I R E L A N D wo m e n ’s cricket team will begin their competitive season with a double header in Division 3 of the ECB County Championships this Bank Holiday weekend.

The side features an array of talent from Dublin, with representives from Malahide, Pembroke, Merrion, and Rush, and they play their matches in the English county structure, on the proviso that

they play all of their matches in England.

First up for Isobel Joyce’s side is a clash with Leicestershire on Sunday at Bardon Hill, which has a 12pm start, followed by Huntingdon and Cambridgeshire on Monday at Sawston at 11am.

Results Following their promotion last year, the side have worked hard during the winter under the watchful eye of head coach Jeremy Bray, and

are hopeful of another successful season.

Bray said: “The squad has got a great blend of youth and experience, and I’m sure will be rewarded for all their efforts during the close season.

“It’s an exciting time for Irish cricket in general and you can feel there’s a real buzz about the game at the minute.

I’m sure it won’t be too long before the women are emulating the men’s team in terms of results.”

Tag for greatness: Coolmine’s charity rugby event championships.

Meanwhile, Malahide CS golfers claimed the national title with a consummate performance at Naas that belied their young years, and pointed to a long and successful future in the game.

Let us know about your achievements in sport, so that the Gazette can tell the rest of Dublin. Contact us on 01 601 0240 or sport@gazettegroup.com to tell us all about your successes.

COOLMINE RFC in Dublin 15 recently hosted a charity tag rugby day for Mount Sackville secondary school to benefit Focus On Romania, a charitable organisation which aims to focus world attention to the inadequate care of children and young adults in state institutions in Romania.

This year more than 370 boys and girls descended on the club for a day of tag rugby, and with so many teams to look after, the Irish Tag Rugby Association stepped in to help with the organisation of the day.

This year’s Tag Day raised over €3,000.

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

The squad in full is: Isobel Joyce (capt) , (Merrion); Clodagh Conway (Rush); Laura Delany (Leinster); Emma Flanagan (Pembroke); Cecelia Joyce (Merrion); Shauna Kavanagh (Pembroke); Louise McCarthy (Pembroke); Rebecca Rolfe (Leinster); Melissa Scott Hayward (Merrion); Clare Shillington (Malahide); Alison S m i t h ( P e m b r o ke ) ; Elena Tice (Merrion); Mary Waldron (Malahide).

30 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 3 May 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

SOCCER: TIGHT FINISH TO TIE MIRRORS TOP OF LEAGUE TABLE

Malahide United’s Donal Hughes, left, Vinny Perth, centre, with Don Butler at the FAI Ford Cup First Round Draw

Mixed opening to new season for Malahide MALAHIDE cricket club got their competitive campaign off to a mixed start, with a narrow two-run win on Saturday over Trinity contrasting with a heavy loss to Pembroke in the preliminary round of the Irish Senior Cup on Sunday.

In College Park, skipper Calum Riches played a key part in both innings against Trinity, playing a pivotal role in a recovery partnership with Andrew Pyne after the Students’ early spell put Malahide on the back foot.

Eoghan Conway nipped out John Pryor, Marc Ellison, Nick Turner and Ryan Gallagher as Malahide were reduced to 52-5.

But Riches, working well with Pyne, ground out a partnership of 84, hitting just a pair of boundaries between them to restore their chances of victory.

It was slow-going, though, Riches’ 33 coming off 76 balls, while Pyne ended with 41 off 100 balls, but he saw the innings through.

Conway did pick up his fifth wicket with Peter Chase’s scalp late on, but some late hitting from Steve Smith, adding 15 from 19 balls dragged the target for Malahide up to 176 for 9 at the end of the 50 overs.

The chase was a fraught one throughout as Hugh Pike and Conway got Malahide off to a good start, getting their side to 80-2.

But wickets fell at regular intervals, when Jim Govan weighed in with a tight spell of two for 27 and Smith picked off one for 32 in the middle overs.

Riches, meanwhile, got the vital wicket of Eoghan Delany, and youngster Wian Verwoerd was next to go.

When Amir Anwar was caught by Alan Reynolds off Govan’s bowling, it left Trinity in serious trouble, with two wickets remaining with 27 to score.

But Niall Delany clipped 20 off as many balls to make for a tense last over but, with three runs still needed, Riches picked up the final wicket off the second-last ball to take the result.

Port’ close in on promotion I sport@gazettegroup.com

ST JOSEPH’S Boys took the advantage, but Portmarnock AFC are celebrating after coming back from a 2-0 deficit to draw with Joey’s at Paddy’s Hill last Saturday that means both clubs will be celebrating promotion come the season’s end following recent results.

Goals from Ger Cashin and Paul O’Meara cancelled out efforts by Kevin Thurwachter and Oisin Kinsella to leave the final result as a 2-2 draw.

The upshot is that Joey’s go into the final round of the LSL Sat-

urday Major 1B season with a three-point advantage, needing just a draw against Glenmore Dundrum.

Portmarnock’s final game is also against Glenmore but they will need a favour from the southside club, as well as making up a four-goal deficit in the goal difference standings.

It means Joey’s have the box seat, reversing the standings of a year ago in which the same clubs occupied the top two positions in Major 1C, with the Ports taking the league silverware that time around.

With both sides push-

La vie aquatique: Local sailor gets set for world championships MALAHIDE sailor David Burrows, in partnership

with Peter O’Leary completed his build-up to the world sailing championships with a sixth place finish at the Semaine Olympique Francaise in the Star class.

Despite a number of breakages to their old boat, the Irish duo finished well in the 25-boat fleet on the French Riviera, qualifying for the medal race.

They travel back to Hyeres in France this weekend as the world championships, a strong preparation event for the London Olympics.

ing for the win from Saturday’s tie, it was the visitors who tore into the tie with German import Thurwachter grabbing the lead when he got on the end of Ian Jordan’s neat one-two just before the half-hour.

And more neat interplay created the second as Jordan, Kevin Ivey and Kinsella earned a freekick on the edge of the box when the last of that trio was taken down.

But Portmarnock got back into the tie when Alan O’Shaughnessy started a move which was finished off by Cashin.

And O’Meara’s excellent equaliser, intercept-

ing a Stephen Kelleher kick-out before breaking forward and finishing spectacularly, earned them a share of the spoils.

Jordan went close to a winner which would have confirmed the title for Joey’s in the closing phases, but Colm Bell denied him as Alan Doyle also pushed forward from the back.

It means his side will have to wait for the title but they certainly have all the aces in their hand.

Elsewhere, Malahide United were handed a tough but not insurmountable date at Blarney United in the second

round of the FAI Ford Senior Cup draw, made on Monday evening at the Aviva Stadium.

It meant they avoided a lucrative day out against one of the League of Ireland Premier division sides who entered the competition at this stage.

The Sunday Senior One champions will travel to the Munster Senior League for the tie which will take place on the weekend ending Sunday, May 27.

Cup holders Sligo Rovers were paired with Monaghan United while Bray Wanderers against Shelbourne is another eye-catching tie.

3 May 2012 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 31

HURLING: INTER AND JUNIOR SIDES RECORD WINS

CLUB NOTICEBOARD ST SYLVESTER’S THERE were two great championship

a very big club, and thanked all the

victories from the Intermediate and

members who continue to serve us

junior hurlers last weekend. Two

so well.

great defensive displays by both

Congratulations to the Under-14

teams laid the foundations, and the

hurlers from Malahide Community

sharpshooting Mar tin Ormonde

School who rallied from being 12

and Greg Hannon were in no mood

points down to secure a place in the

to miss.

final after a victory over Maynooth,

The Under-16 football team put in a great performance, but just came

6-4 to 4-8. The final will take place this week against Scoil Chaitriona.

up short against Cuala in a very

There is a very busy fixture list

high-quality championship encoun-

next week: St Sylvester’s V Erin’s

ter.

Isle in Lawless Park on Thursday,

T h e Un d e r -15 fo o t b a l l t e a m scored seven goals in their win over St James’ Gaels.

Congratulations to Eddie Sullivan and the members of the executive who were elected at last week’s AGM. Eddie called for more people to get involved in helping to run what is

May 3, at 7.15pm.

Minor Hurling League: Castleknock V St Sylvester’s in Somerton Park on Sunday, May 6, at 11am.

The Lotto jackpot next week is €2,100.

Play and win on www.stsylvesters.ie

FINGALLIANS St Sylvester’s opened their championship campaign with wins over St Peregrine’s and Na Fianna

Championship opens with double success IHC ROUND 1 St Sylvester’s St Peregrine’s

1-15 0-10

I sport@gazettegroup.com

S T S Y LV E S T E R ’ S got their championship season off to a great start as both their intermediate and junior hurlers picked up opening-round wins in their respective competitions.

At intermediate level, the first team won out 1-15 to 0-10 against Blanchardstown’s St Peregrine’s, leading from star t to finish, building on an early goal from Fingal star, Martin Ormonde.

From there, Sylvester’s were on top throughout, with a gap of six or more points in place from that point onwards, laying the foundation with a superb defensive platform.

Alan Morris and Dara Flaherty were in particularly good form, while

Andrew Richardson in the middle of the park was a forceful presence, with Ormonde on the mark from frees, with a goal and nine points to his name in the final tally.

David Keogh hit a few nice points from play, well supported by Killian and Ciaran Falvey.

Barry Kiely was the go-to man from puckouts, catching plenty of ball, while Johnny Conway was lively early on.

It gets Syl’s off to a good start to the campaign, joining St Vincent’s at the top of the early group table, with their rivals defeating Trinity Gaels, 0-12 to 0-9, in their opening encounter.

JHC ROUND 1 St Sylvester’s Na Fianna

1-9 2-2

At junior C level, the Malahide men ran up a 1-9 to 2-2 victory over North Dublin rivals, Na

Fianna, as both sides struggled to get to grips with a tricky wind.

In the first half, Na Fianna nabbed an early goal and another major before the break, with Syl’s feeling they had not used the conditions to best effect, despite a 1-7 to 2-0 lead.

But a tight-knit second half saw both sides notch just two further points, to leave Syl’s with a four-point advantage for victory.

Faugh’s and Ballyboden St Enda’s were the big winners in the junior championship group over the weekend, though, as they ran up victories over St Brendan’s and Naomh Fionnbarra, respectively.

In Under-16 football championship action, a great second half performance from Syl’s was not enough to overturn Cuala’s early lead, seeing the side bow out of the competition at the

quarter-final stage.

Late on, the ball was regularly bouncing about the Cuala square, but a final touch was not forthcoming when the deficit had been reduced to three points, ultimately losing 1-14 to 0-12.

In the first half, Cuala dominated possession and kept much of the play penned in St Sylvester’s territory.

But that all changed in the second half when Syl’s players showed some of the way they played a week earlier in the first round, battling hard for every ball T he likes of Paidi White and Eoin Kirwin were everywhere, and that determination filtered through to the whole team. Dylan Connolly showed his accuracy, scoring no fewer than eight frees in a final tally of ten points, but the southside opposition always had the edge.

OUR celebration night / awards night

final between Dublin and Roscommon

will have Sam Maguire as a special

will take place in O’Connor Park, Tul-

guest on Sunday, May 6. The night will

lamore on Sunday, May 6, at 2pm.

include a four-course meal, band,

Well done to Roisin Collins who won

DJ, club awards and a few special

a National Camogie League title with

interviews. All members from every

Dublin Senior B team last Sunday. It

section of the club are encouraged

was the Dubs’ first title in 25 years.

to attend with ticket subsidies at a

Roisin also plays with the Dublin

cost of €30 each. Tickets can be pur-

minor camogie team.

chased from the bar, www.fingalli-

The Dublin County Board is pleased

ans.com, all team managers or email

to announce the launch of the Par-

fingallians@gmail.com.

nell Park Season Ticket for 2012/2013.

Our adult hurlers got their A and F

Existing and new members can pur-

championship campaigns off to win-

chase their pass online at http://

ning starts with victories over Na

dcbtickets.gaa.ie or by contacting

Fianna and Lucan.

Parnell Park.

Our U-16A footballers run came to

Terrace Pass: €130; Stand Pass:

an end when they were defeated by

€175; currently there are no juvenile

Thomas Davis. Our minor footballers

passes available.

beat Whitehall by a point with a gutsy performance.

The Cadbury All-Ireland U-21FC

For all the latest news and fixtures why not follow @fingallians on www. twitter.com

FINGAL RAVENS THE poker classic has been changed

next weekend.

to Thursday, May 3, at 8pm in Kettle’s

Best of luck to the junior D team who

Hotel, €50 per ticket. Contact Desy

play St Brigid’s in the first round of

087-9957427 or Declan 086-2673830 to

the championship at 7.15pm at home

book your place.

this Thursday.

We are running our predictions for

Club membership for 2012 is now

the Provincial Championships again,

overdue. Non-paid-up members

only €5. Forms are available from

(adult and juvenile) will not be permit-

your mentor or committee member,

ted to play until their membership is

or can be downloaded from www.

paid.

fingalravens.com. Completed forms

Lotto numbers were 12, 19, 22 and

must be returned to a committee

30. There was no winner; €20 to Phyllis

member by May 19.

Kettle, Jimmy Browne and Pat McCo-

We are hosting the U-14 football Feile

nnell.

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

ALL OF YOUR MALAHIDE SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 28-31

CUP DREAMS: Malahide south-bound for FAI Senior date with Blarney United P30

MAY 3, 2012

APRIL ACCOLADES: Winners of Dublin Sports Awards announced P29

GazetteSPORT

Treble glory for Portmarnock sport@gazettegroup.com

PORTMARNOCK CS completed a brilliant season last Wednesday when they got the better of St Benildus 3-1 at Ballyowen Park to add Leinster glory to their north Dublin and Dublin titles obtained earlier this season.

An incredible campaign, it ended a four year wait for silverware as the Portmarnock side first picked up the north Dublin title with a penalties victory over Ashbourne and followed up a fortnight ago with the Dublin region title, beating Presentation College, Bray.

And they made the best of the tough conditions – amid hail, rain and large winds – in

West Dublin to get the better of Kilmacud side St Benildus in the final of the FAI Leinster Boys Metro Junior league final.

Aaron Mulvey got them off to the perfect start when he turned in a cross from Cian Fitzpatrick in the tenth minute.

With conditions so difficult, chances were hard to come by in the first period but Stephen Hogan made light of them in the second half as he ghosted by a series of defenders to crack home a fine solo goal ten minutes after the turnaround.

And the result was put beyond doubt in the 65th minute as Sean Lenehan burst forward from fullback, winning a penalty

which Fitzpatrick duly converted for a 3-0 lead.

Benildus pulled one back with seven minutes remaining from a corner which was never fully cleared while David Stewart needed to be alert to pull off an excellent save soon after, Jordan Briggs completing the clearance.

It kept the two-goal wedge in tact and Mulvey’s deft chip almost fully closed out the win but the post intervened.

It proved immaterial, though, as Portmarnock claimed the title 3-1.

A fortnight earlier, Pres Bray had come a goal closer to denying them their second title but the coastal school’s battling qualities were to the fore as they came from a goal down to win out.

Jamie Mullins overturned an early Bray opening goal before Craig O’Neill weighed in with a spectacular strike from 35 metres to put Portmarnock in front at the half-time interval.

Bray levelled the game for a second time on the hour mark but Mulvey applied a chip to win the game with just a couple of minutes to go.

With Colm Deasy earning a call-up to the Republic of Ireland U-15 side during the year, it made for a brilliant season for a team who came together this year as a result of the FAI’s amended age groups.

It means there will be plenty to celebrate at the school’s sports awards which take place on May 14.

Portmarnock CS picked up their third trophy of a brilliant soccer season at junior level