28 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 31 May 2012
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GAELIC FOOTBALL: GLOBE TROTTING LADIES PUT ON A SHOW
Local racer’s first time racing in Dublin DUBLIN’S up-and-coming single-seater motor racing star, Gary Thompson, is the latest big name from the world of motorsport to be confirmed for the Bavaria City Racing Dublin event this coming Sunday, June 3. The 19-year-old from Donabate, Dublin has been racing in Asia for the past four years, making a name for himself in the prestigious Japanese Formula 3 series. He also became the first driver to drive a Formula 1 car in Taiwan, when he drove the KCMG two-seater F1 Car at the Penbay International Circuit in 2011, a car which he regularly tests and demonstrates at the Yas Marina Circuit, in Abu Dhabi. In 2012, Thompson is fighting for the Japanese Formula 3 title with KCMG, and is also the reserve driver for the KCMG Formula Nippon team. Bavaria City Racing will be the first time since his karting days that Thompson gets behind the wheel of a racing car on home soil. “I’m excited to be part of the Bavaria line-up,” said Thompson. “It’s a great event for Ireland and the city of Dublin, where everyone can get involved and experience the sound of motor racing! This will be my first time driving a racing car in Ireland, which is great to finally do at such a big event, in front of my home crowd too.” Linda McGarry, sales and marketing director for Bavaria City Racing Dublin, said: “We are delighted to announce that Gary Thompson will be participating this weekend. Gary is a talented Irishman who currently competes in the Japanese Formula Three Championship with SCG by KCMG. He became the first Irishman to race in the championship when he made his series debut in 2010, after finishing runner-up in the Formula BMW Asia Pacific Series in 2009. Our thanks go to CF Racing for making it possible for Gary to showcase his talent on the streets of his home town.”
Some of the Dublin players on the All Star teams: Elaine Kelly, Gemma Fay, Sinead Aherne, Amy McGuinness, Sinead Goldrick and Rachel Ruddy
Toronto tour for Stars
EXHIBITION MATCH 2010 All Stars 2011 All Stars
4-10 3-11
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ST SYLVESTER’S Sinead Aherne and Naomh Mearnog’s Denise Masterson both lined out last Sunday for the 2010 Allstars as they took on their 2011 counterparts in Toronto, winning out by two points in the final reckoning. Edell Murphy was the star of the show in Centennial Park, Toronto as the Kerry goalkeeper saved an injury-time penalty from Rhona Ni Bhuachalla to deny the 2011 Allstars a draw in a marvellous contest. Behind by ten points at the interval, the 2010 combination were inspired by two goals in rapid succession inside the opening three minutes of the second half from Michelle Ryan. Additionally, Leitrim player Aine Tighe found the net a second time at a crucial stage. Ladies Football President Pat Quill was delighted with the quality of the play, saying: “you
couldn’t have written the script. “People couldn’t believe the level of skill, the score-getting and the athleticism of the girls. I have no doubt it will give Ladies Football a great boost.’’ 2011 goalkeeper Irene Munnelly proved herself as early as the fifth minute when denying Dublin sharpshooter Sinead Aherne, before the 2011 team settled down to take control. Goals came from Kerry starlet Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh and Monaghan stylist Ciara McAnespie and it saw them lead 2-3 to 0-1 after 11 minutes. They stayed in control until Aine Tighe got her first goal in the 29th minute. However, a quick goal from Meath’s Fiona Mahon had them 3-7 to 1-3 ahead at the break. “It looked like one-way traffic at one stage we were so far behind,” commented winning manager Gerry McGill, Dublin’s All-Ireland winning manager two years ago and now a Tipperary football selector. “We seemed to go a bit more direct in the second half.’’
Six minutes after the resumption, the margin was down to two points following two snap goals from Michelle Ryan, daughter of the Waterford hurling manager Michael Ryan. And, a general improvement, marked by impressive play from the Laois pair Lorraine Muckian and Tracey Lawlor and Cork star Brid Stack, along with Gemma Begley (Tyrone) and Dublin’s Sinead Aherne made for a really
competitive last 20 minutes. Three times Edel Murphy brought off important saves from Ni Mhuircheartaigh, McAnespie and Ni Bhuachalla and after Tighe’s second goal levelled the game, points from Ryan, Kerry’s Bernie Breen and Tighe again set the scene for a dramatic finish which saw Murphy correctly anticipate Ni Bhuachalla’s penalty to tip the ball over the bar.