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Regency stylings add to the luxury and comfort of Marlfield House
see page 24 May 30, 2013
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M a l a h i d e • P o r t m a r n o c k • K i n s e a ly • C l a r eMonth h a lXX, l INSIDE: Fundraising quiz evening ticks all the boxes and raises vital money P8
Hurling:
St Sylvester’s claim pair of wins in AHL3 Page 31
Soccer:
Malahide United NDSL U-15s win Ned Behan Cup Page 30
ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES....................... 8 DUBLIN LIFE....................11 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................27
striking gold: Rose receives award for her sterling service to charity Page 7
Shock at Links creche footage Natalie Burke
The Malahide community have been shocked by the revelations in this week’s RTE Primetime Investigation Unit report, A Breach of Trust, which showed the mistreatment of children in a local creche. The Links Childcare creche in Abington was one of three independent childcare facilities to appear on the programme.
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Following the transmission of the programme on Tuesday night, Mayor of Fingal Cian O’Callaghan (Lab) said he found it “very upsetting”. “With the pre-publicity, I was expecting there would be some disquieting scenes but to actually see such young children being treated in that way was really shocking,” he said. Full Story on Page 2
Talented teen: Isabel is proud as punch of her art award local student, Isabel McLoughlin, from Malahide Community School has won a top award in this year’s 59th Texaco Children’s Art Competition. Her winning entry was one of 126 winners chosen from thousands of entries
received from all 32 counties of Ireland. Isabel is pictured receiving her Special Merit Award from Enda Riney, chairman of Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited, at a prize giving ceremony held in Dublin recently.
2 MALAHIDE Gazette 30 May 2013
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childcare Garda, HSE investigate centre
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The investigation commenced after footage was obtained by a reporter working undercover at the Links Childcare facility
Abington creche actions ‘inexcusable, unacceptable’ A childcare facility in Dublin North has become the subject of a major Garda investigation following an RTE sting operation which resulted in one member of the staff being fired and three others being suspended. The investigation commenced after footage was obtained by a TV reporter who was working undercover at the Links Childcare facility in Abington, Malahide. The creche is being investigated by gardai and the HSE, and is one of three confirmed independent childcare facilities in the Dublin area being investigated. The video footage was shot by the RTE Investigations Unit as part of an expose on care standards in creches. Last week, Garda sources revealed to the Gazette that Links Childcare in
natalie burke nburke@gazettegroup.com
Abington, Malahide, was being investigated regarding complaints made against the childcare provider in relation to “certain activity”. In a statement since released by Links Childcare, the creche said they apologised profusely to all the parents at Abington for the distress caused by this episode. In an email sent to parents who currently have their children in Links facilities, owner of Links Childcare Deirdre Kelly said she was given the opportunity to view the video footage filmed by the undercover report-
er for the first time on Wednesday, May 22. She said the reporter posed as a childcare worker in the creche in Abington for a period of four weeks. “We hold the standard of professional care of children in all our creches as a high priority, so I was extremely upset at what I saw,” she said. “The behaviour of some staff members, as revealed by the video extracts, was wholly inappropriate, inexcusable and unacceptable.” Deirdre said it was “most regrettable” that the undercover reporter failed to bring to the immediate attention of senior staff and management the behaviour of the childcare workers concerned. “Other wise, I can assure you that it would have been dealt with appropriately,” she said.
In a separate email sent to parents on Sunday, May 26, Deirdre said she was “acutely aware” of the distress caused by the events”. “I know that you, the parents and guardians, are angry, disappointed and anxious. I share all of those emotions and so many more,” she said. “I have tried to make contact by phone with each of the families directly mentioned in the HSE report, which I received on Friday but I know that the hurt goes way beyond this group.” Links said a full retraining programme will be carried out at all their creches over the coming months and the number of CCTV cameras increased. A psychologist has also been put in place to counsel parents affected by recent events. The RTE Investigations
Unit broadcast its investigation into the standard of care in a number of Irish creches on the Prime Time programme this week. In a statement the HSE said: “The HSE, Children and Family Services received reports [last week] from the gardai regarding three independent childcare facilities in the Dublin area. “The HSE are working with An Garda Siochana to review the reports and make an assessment with respect to any child welfare and protection concerns.” The HSE also confirmed that creches in Ireland receive a visit from an inspector on average every 18 to 24 months: “This compares favorably with other jurisdictions where visits take place, in the UK for example, every three to four years.”
30 May 2013 MALAHIDE Gazette 3
water quality New criteria cause Portmarnock to lose top ranking festival Joy after bunch of awards
Strand ‘robbed’ of Blue Flag natalie burke
nburle@gazettegroup.com
Portmarnock beach has been “robbed” of its Blue Flag status, according to local representatives, new criteria led to the coastal town losing its environmental quality ranking for the 2013 season. Portmarnock’s Velvet Strand has had a Blue Flag for the past three years and the beach has been meeting the EU water quality standards, as monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), every year. This year, however, the beach lost out on a Blue Flag because of a single result from 2009 which should have been discounted, accord-
ing to recently retired Labour councillor Peter Coyle. Portmarnock, along with Donabate beach, Brook Beach in Port r a n e a n d S ke r r i e s South Beach lost their coveted Blue Flag status after the introduction of more stringent standards for testing water quality by the EU. The new criteria is based on the 2006 EU Bathing Water Directive and replaces the older standards which date from 1976. While the older standards required a beach to be within guideline limits 80% of the time, the newer guidelines take into account an average standard and impose statistical variation limits. According to Coyle, one of the major rain-
fall events to take place in the Dublin region in recent years occurred on July 2, 2009, and water quality results obtained at that time were below the required standards. “The results for that particular day needless to say were off the scale. Ironically, under EU and Blue Flag Guidelines, measurements on such occasions may be ‘discounted’ and may be a ‘dispensation case’. Applications for discounting have to be made to the EPA in the year in question,” said Coyle. “The council did not apply to have the Portmarnock result discounted, because Portmarnock met the 80% year standard that applied for 2009.
Former Labour Party councillor Peter Coyle thinks Velvet Strand should not have lost its Blue Flag
“However, when taking into account the new [average standards], the inclusion of the figure for that date meant that Portmarnock narrowly misses out on the new Blue Flag standard. “Excluding the particu-
lar result of July 2, 2009, Portmarnock is well within the standard,” he said. Local TD Brendan Ryan (Lab) said: “An analysis of the EPA’s overviews of the quality of bathing water in Ireland in 2012 and 2011
would indicate that the bathing water is still the same high quality as it was last year and that the beaches could well have retained their Blue Flag status if the criteria from last year had been used this year.”
Malahide Community School were celebrating in recent weeks after picking up a number of awards at the High School Musical Festival in Waterford. The group picked up four awards, including best comedienne, best male singer, best overall female and best show. The school was chosen to enter the festival, which took place at the Theatre Royal in Waterford, after Transition Year students and staff of the local school held a hugely successful production of the musical Les Miserables in January. The High School Musical Festival took place in April and the MCS students were competing against schools and drama groups from across Ireland.
4 MALAHIDE Gazette 30 May 2013
FastNews
politics Making way for new generation
Allotments to hold open day
The Malahide Allotments will be holding their summer open day on Saturday, June 22. The open day will begin at 2pm and will see a number of games organised for kids, face painting, a BBQ and more, as well as entertainment to be provided by a traditional Irish music band. The Malahide allotments initiative was set up in 2011 by the Epilepsy Care Foundation and is located on the Swords Road in Malahide.
Group to perform The Odd Couple The Malahide Musical and Dramatic Society will be hosting a performance of Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple in Portmarnock Sports and Leisure Centre next weekend. The play promises to give the audience a few laughs and will take place nightly at 8pm on Friday, June 5, Saturday, 6 and Sunday 7. Tickets cost €12 and concessions are available for groups of 10 or more. To book, email malahidebookings@ gmail.com or phone 086 375 8196 after 3pm.
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The former Labour Party councillor assures that he will continue to be available to any local people who seek further advice or support
Coyle says goodbye to council and supporters natalie burke
nburke@gazettegroup.com
Popular local councillor Peter Coyle (Lab) has officially announced his retirement as a local representative. The Por tmarnockbased councillor, who has worked in the Malahide/Howth ward for over 20 years, submitted his notice of retirement as councillor to the county manager, David O’Connor, earlier this week. His resignation applied from Sunday, May 26.
I n r e c e n t we e k s , the Malahide Gazette revealed Coyle’s plans not to run in next year’s local elections. However, his decision to take early retirement was only announced in recent days. In his letter to the county manager, Peter highlighted his appreciation for the support he has received from Fingal County Council over the last two decades. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, and all present and former Fingal County
Council staff, for all the support received over the past 19 years. The council staff, at all levels, have been exceptionally helpful and courteous over the years,” he stated. “ I wo u l d l i ke t o acknowledge the work and support of Fingal councillors over the years, and their dedication as public representatives. I particularly noted the attendance and input of councillors during the lengthy consideration of the last two County Development Plans,” he
continued. Coyle stated that in the case of any outstanding issues where his views could help in future, he would have “no problem in being contacted and would gladly co-operate”. “I wish you and Fingal County Council every success in the future,” he added. Peter told The Gazette that he also acknowledges the great support of the electorate over the years and assures that he will continue to be available to any local people
who seek further advice or support. In a recent interview with The Gazette, Coyle said one of his reasons for stepping down from his position was to provide the younger generation with opportunities. The opening for a replacement for Coyle will be on the agenda of the Fingal County Council meeting on Monday, June 10, by which date a nominated replacement is expected to have been made by the Labour Party.
stabbing
Gardai appeal to public for info Gardai are appealing to the public for information as they investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of 23-yearold Dean Fitzpatrick last weekend. Dean was the brother of Amy Fitzpatrick, the Dublin teenager who went missing in Spain in 2008. His body was discovered at Northern Cross on the Malahide Road at approximately 11.20pm on Saturday night last, May 25. Gardai were called to the scene of the incident where the young father is believed to have received a number of stab wounds. He was taken to Beaumont Hospital but pronounced dead a short time later. A male in his early 40s was arrested in connection with the death on Sunday, but was released without charge on Monday, May 27. Dean was the only sibling of missing Amy Fitzpatrick, who went missing at the age of 15 in Spain. Their mother, Audrey Fitzpatrick, has campaigned to progress the search for Amy ever since. Gardai are appealing for witnesses that may have been at Northern Cross around the time of the incident, and may have witnessed the altercation or be able to assist with the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Coolock Garda Station on 01 666 4200.
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advice Pregnancy and childbirth support available
Counselling for mothers in Dublin North An Irish charity which offers pregnancy and childbirth support and counselling services has expanded its support facilities in Ireland with services now available in Dublin North.
Nurture was established in Dublin in January 2011 to help women dealing with post-natal depression, depression in pregnancy, post-traumatic stress disorder, post-partum psychosis and other
health issues. The aim of the charity is to reduce the stigma attached to these illnesses and to raise awareness of the work the charity carries out. With a counsellor already based in Dublin
North, the charity have expanded to other areas in Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow. Nurture offers affordable professional counselling services within the group and facilitates
support groups for mothers where they can meet other women experiencing similar issues. For more information, contact Nurture on 01 8430930 or visit www. nurturepnd.org.
Support: Cheque handover the Asgard Angling
Club in Howth presented Howth RNLI with a cheque for €750 recently. In total €1,500 was raised through the annual sale of the club’s calendar which was sold through local shops and featured images of Howth. Pictured at the presentation are Paul Mackey, Declan Byrne, Rose Michael, Colm Crean, Gus Quigley and Jim Lawless.
council: proposal at early stages of consideration
Highland cattle could be on the moo-ve to Malahide natalie burke
nburle@gazettegroup.com
Malahide could be set to see the arrival of highland cattle, as part of a new bio-diversity project being considered by Fingal County Council. The council is proposing to place a number of the distinctive breed in Robswall Park, Malahide, as part of a scheme organised in association with Fingal’s biodiversity officer. According to the council, benefits of the new scheme will see the land being managed in an environmentally sustainable way. As the cattle graze,
the area is being managed for both migratory birds - Brent geese and oystercatchers - as feeding grounds and ground nesting species, such as sky larks, for breeding purposes. The council adds that the highland cattle themselves would add a new dimension and interest into the park for children and members of the public. They confirmed that the possibility is “only at early stages of consideration” at the moment, with no firm decisions yet in place. The proposed project would be a welcome one, according to Cllr Eoghan O’Brien (FF),
who said he believed it was a “novel” idea. “The feedback I have been getting so far has been positive, and I think it’s something that’s definitely worth a try,” he said. “I think it’s a really good idea, it’s something a bit different. And I like to see the [council] trying different things,” he continued. “It will be an interesting one for the kids as it is not something you would see every day. There will be plenty of space for the cattle to roam around in as well in Robswall, so I’m sure it will be a big attraction in the area.” According to a letter sent by the council
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‘I think it’s a really good idea, it’s something a bit different’
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Cllr Eoghan O’Brien (FF)
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to local representatives, the proposed location is the parkland area at the Robswall estate in Malahide. The area is already fenced off on three sides at present with existing fencing. The fourth side would be fenced off by the council with a 1.2m-high post and rail fencing with high tensile sheep-wire fencing to prevent dogs and other similar animals getting in. The council is pro-
posing to put between four and five cattle onto the land, a number that depends on stocking density requirements as well as grass available for the animals. The cattle are owned by a farmer who leases the land from the council for grazing. A similar scheme, also run by Fingal County Council, is already working successfully in a number of locations including St Catherine’s Park in Dublin 15.
30 May 2013 MALAHIDE Gazette 7
RNLI Volunteer work honoured in London
Rose Michael recieved her RNLI honour from Prince Edward, Duke of Kent
Rose gets gold badge for sterling service
natalie burke
nburle@gazettegroup.com
A Malahide woman has received an RNLI honour from Prince Edward, Duke of Kent in London for her years of service to the charity. Malahide-native Rose Michael received a Gold Badge from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), at their annual awards presentation held last week in the Barbican Theatre in London. The award was presented by the Duke of Kent, who is president of the RNLI. Rose was honoured for her volunteer work for the charity and in particular, for her work
at the Howth RNLI lifeboat station. Rose has been involved in raising funds for the lifeboat service from the time she was a teenager, when she also represented Ireland on the Irish junior sailing team. It was through this involvement that she says she became very aware of the necessity for having a lifeboat crew nearby. Her mother was involved in the committee of the lifeboat guild over 20 years ago and encouraged many people from the Malahide area to support the RNLI in their life-saving work, and encouraged Rose to collect for the
charity. Rose coordinates the Malahide flag-day and many other events, including the RNLI Reindeer run in Dublin and the recent May Day campaign. She also organises activities on the annual open day at the lifeboat station and is involved with education in the area, helping to facilitate visits at the station and to schools in the area. Commenting on the honour, Pauline McGann, community fundraising manager for the RNLI, said Rose was “very deserving of this award”. “Howth RNLI is an extremely busy lifeboat station and the work
Rose does to raise both funds and the profile of the station is enormous. “She is a tireless volunteer for the charity, consistently going above and beyond to ensure that people know and support the great work of the volunteer lifeboat crews. “This gold badge has been awarded to recognise the many years of service and dedication that Rose has given and continues to give to the lifeboats.” Rose was honoured along with other volunteers from Wexford, Kerry and Cork who received the charity’s highest honours for their years of dedicated service.
Club’s blessing of the boats The Portmarnock Sub Aqua Club held a special blessing of the boats event last weekend to celebrate the club’s 30th anniversary which takes place this year. The blessing of the boats took
place on Sunday, May 26 and was held on the grounds of the Portmarnock Sports and Leisure Centre. It was celebrated by Fr Niall McDermott, who is also a sailor and a priest at St Anne’s Parish in
Portmarnock. The club continues to grow from strength to strength and currently has over 50 members. For more information, log on to www. psac.net.
8 MALAHIDE Gazette 30 May 2013
gazetteGALLERIES
Damien Kelly
Ursula Shinbach, Liz Gilmartin and Ali Power. Pictures: Una Williams
Jean Pardy and Cliona Smith
Jacqueline Costello and Olivia MacMahon
Carol Cullen, Mark Henry and Aoife Sheehy
30 May 2013 MALAHIDE Gazette 9
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team effort: PARENTS RAISE FUNDS FOR CLASSROOM
Quiz evening ticks all boxes Tina McLoughlin and Yolanda O’Meara
Carmen Martin and Dee Roche
M
ANY locals got their thinking caps on as St Sylvester’s Infant School’s parent’s association recently hosted a table quiz. The table quiz was held at the Malahide Rugby Club, and helped to raise vital funds
Ann Henry
for an extra classroom in the school. The parents are hoping for a new classroom to accommodate the growing numbers of pupils at St Sylvester’s, and would like to have it in place in time for the new school year in September.
Denise Boyne, Sharon Dunne and Cathy Shevlin
10 MALAHIDE Gazette 30 May 2013
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Junio Salvadore and Adriana Vergara
Ella Goodwin, Peter Devlin and Lisa Hogan. Pictures: Patrick O’Leary
Radio Nova blasts into summer in fine style R
ADIO Nova kicked off the summer in rock ‘n’ roll style as they recently hosted a big party at their usual hot party venue, Cafe en Seine, in Dublin. The Radio Nova Listener’s Party featured music from
Arune and Aiste Keturakyte
The Hot Sprockets, and the Nova DJs played out many of the best hits throughout the night. The loyal listeners also had chances to win great prizes on the night, and they partied hard until the early hours.
Barry Egan and Emma English
Aine Kennedy
Anne Naughton and Lorraine Robson
Annie O’Shea and Suzanne Fitzpatrick
30 May 2013 Gazette 11
theatre P14
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Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week, as well as the latest from our schools
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books: wide range of genres to be covered
An impressive line-up for Dalkey’s fourth festival The four th annual Dalkey Book Festival is being held this year from June 14 to 16 in the charming seaside village. David McWilliams came up with the idea to start a book festival in 2010 at a meeting of The Dalkey Business Group. The idea was a creat i ve r e s p o n s e t o a community desire to encourage activity, both cultural and economic
in the area. This year’s line up is a very impressive array of mainly Irish writers working in several genres from poetry and prose to journalism and history. Interview
On June 14, in the Church of the Assumption, Pat Kenny will be inter viewing Rober t Fisk, the 30-year Middle East correspondent
for The Independent. There will also be a tribute to the late Maeve Binchy and Dalkey resident in the form of a talk in the town hall on June 14 and as a photographic display in the library. Other writers due to appear include Edna O’Brien, Anne Enright, Frank McGuinness, Roddy Doyle, Declan Kiberd, Dawn O’Porter (Chris O’Dowd’s wife),
Robert Fisk, Eoin Colfer, Pauline McLynn, Tim Pat Coogan, Eamon Morrissey and a host of others. Talks, readings and dramatisations of books will be held in venues all over Dalkey and tickets for each show cost from €10 to €15. Book by phoning 086 054 2531 or the festival box office will be open from June 10 at 20 Railway Road in Dalkey.
David McWilliams came up with the idea to start a book festival in 2010
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12 Gazette 30 May 2013
dublinlife
diary
A berry lovely look for the lady in red Rosanna Davison took fashion to a very natural level when she donned a dress decorated with real cranberries for the launch of the show gardens at this year’s Bloom festival in the Phoenix Park. The dress was designed by Trish Kelly from the Grafton Academy of Dress Design and took over 20 hours to create. The former Miss World’s new look is inspired by a show garden themed - A Cranberry Gathering, Inspired
by Ocean Spray - by award-winning gardening duo Alan Rudden and David Ryan from Gardens Now, based in Castleknock. This show garden, which features at Bloom, will have 25 tonnes of soil shifted to create a sunken courtyard, house two outdoor living spaces, an elevated hideaway and a 4m high wall with cantilever steps. The garden will feature 750 plants, eight specimen trees, and 2,000 litres of water.
Alan and David are hoping that a gold medal is in sight at this year’s Bloom. Bloom opens on Thursday, May 30 for five days, see w w w. bloominthepark.ie for further info.
a great time to visit mill theatre A timely stage version of F Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is to be performed at Mill Theatre Dundrum this June. This is an Irish pre-
miere and was adapted from the popular American novel by Simon Levy. T h e s t o r y, s e t i n the Jazz Age, revolves around Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire and his lavish life. Film and theatre company, CAS Productions is currently touring the show around the country. In April of this year, the company appeared at Mill Theatre with the award winning Dealer’s Choice, a comedy by Patrick Marber. T he Great Gatsby runs in Mill Theatre on June 6 and 7 and tickets, costing €17 and €15 can be booked by contacting the theatre’s box office on 01 296 9340.
Rosanna Davison is pictured with award-winning gardening duo David Ryan and Alan Rudden at the launch of their garden
30 May 2013 Gazette 13
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dublinlife
theatre: x-Factor star takes the stage
All Marcus needs is just a little Hairspray
paul hosford
As the happy hairdresser turned singer on the X-Factor, Marcus Collins won over the viewing public, finishing second to Little Mix. Now, he is attempting to win over the public again, this time singing about Hairspray when he
takes on the role of Seaweed Stubbs on the tour of the acclaimed musical, which lands in Dublin on July 16 at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre. The leap from singing to musical theatre is a comfortable one for Marcus, though he says it comes with its own challenges.
“I tried musical theatre when I was younger, so to get a chance to audition and do something like this is amazing. I’m really enjoying it, but it’s a different type of performance and a challenge.” Despite a gruelling schedule of promotion, and the fact that he is headed for the airport,
Marcus is infectiously upbeat and says that, coupled with his past experiences, Hairspray made an attractive prospect. “I was a hairdresser and [the idea of being in Hairspray] hit me straight away. It’s a fantastic musical, with a brilliant score and a brilliant message. It fits in the pocket of everything I wanted to do.” Te a m i n g u p w i t h renowned English character actor Mark Benton, who stars as larger than life Edna Turnblad and ex-Eastender Lucy Benjamin, who appears as scheming TV executive Velma Von Tussle, Marcus says that he hasn’t been intimidated by his
Hairdresser and X-Factor star Marcus Collins takes on the role of Seaweed Stubbs in the musical Hairspray which lands in Dublin on July 16
co-stars. “They’ve been great to work with and I’m loving everyone. Everyone is getting on quite well, which is great.
“Lucy has her two young daughters with her and we’re all helping out babysitting whenever she needs it.” As a graduate of Simon
Cowell’s talent show, Marcus says that he still watches the show that saw him finish runnerup to all-conquering girl group Little Mix. “It’s weird to watch it. It feels like it was yesterday but at the same time, it feels like it was ages ago. “I relive it when I watch it, so I try to just watch the performances and see how different people interpret their talents.” Coming out of the X-Factor did not guarantee a career and Marcus has had to work to shake off some of the preconceptions about him. “Some people think on X-Factor you just sit on your arse and do two minutes on a Saturday night. But you actually do more than most pop artists that are on record labels.” With a salon opening in Liverpool, TV work and a new single due at the end of the year, Collins is proving that his work ethic can’t be questioned. Hairspray is at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre from July 16 to August 3. See http://www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie
30 May 2013 Gazette 15
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features
Child charity donations secure despite scam Charity donors are being reassured that online donations at Jack and Jill are secure and are much-needed after revealing a credit card scam involving €130k in fake donations. The chief executive and founder of children’s foundation Jack & Jill, Jonathan Irwin, issued a statement last week reassuring people that their online donations are safe despite a recent charity scam being uncovered. In the last month and a half the charity has received and refunded over €130,000 via credit card donations which have been scammed from private credit cards, ranging from 2 cents to €3,000. According to Jonathan,
the majority of donations were under €5. Jack and Jill is an Irish children’s charity that provides and funds home nursing care support to 300 families with children with severe developmental delay as a result of brain damage. In his statement he said the criminals use Jack and Jill and other charity websites “to test and verify that the details are still active on the card they have stolen so that they can use it for further, bigger fraudulent transactions or sell it on to other criminals”. Adding: “They were made from skimmed cards linked to financial institutions in countries such as Luxembourg, Venezuela, South Kore-
an, Puerto Rico, Italy and Ireland. “We felt it our duty to go public on this, so that we can alert other charities and remind the public to check their statements for these small ‘tester’ amounts which are a sad reality of credit card skimming. “I also want to reassure our supporters who kindly make regular donations online that our website is safe and secure and that our vigilant online team monitors transactions daily. “We’ve alerted the authorities about this, as well as providing rebates on more than 1,000 fraudulent payments, marking each piece of correspondence with the words ‘fraud alert’. This
has taken a huge amount of time in administration, which has been the real cost to Jack and Jill. “Through good monitoring and prompt action we uncovered this scam. We never factored
these payments into our budget. These were fake donations that were never meant for us, but part of a skimming racket. However, it is sad to think about all the home nursing hours, over 8,000 in fact,
that €130,000 would fund for sick children in every community in Ireland. It’s tough for every charity out there, and a credit card scam like this is cruel and very time consuming “I want to thank our
supporters who donate money by post, by text and online and to reassure them that Jack and Jill has a highly secure online and monitoring system, something we regularly review and update.”
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business
Clear that credit card debt! Q&A Family firm is happy to drive local investment Michael Barrable, michael Barrable motors
A WHOPPING €965.80 is the average amount spent at Christmas in 2012 by every adult living in Ireland. That figure was compiled by Deloitte’s last December in their 15th annual Christmas survey. We are also still tops in Europe for spending, with nearly €500 spent on presents, more than €288.30 spent on food, and the balance of €177.90 spent on socialising. So, now that your credit card is feeling particularly vulnerable – 50% of cardholders only pay the minimum balance, and for those who do just pay the minimum balance, it will take up to 20 years to clear the entire debt – is there anything that can be done to gain financial independence in 2013? Here are a few practical and easy-to-implement tips.
A PRIVATE, family-run business, Michael Barrable Motors was incorporated in 1987, trading from rented premises on the old airport road. The intervening years saw massive investment by the company, including developing a 1.75 acre site at Airside Motor Park, represening an IR£5m investment. Currently steering a Kia franchise since 2005, and well-known for its Fiat dealings, the company is also a Seat dealer, while many customers have also dealt with the company regarding Hyundai and Alfa Romeo brands. Michael is joined by Linda, Peter and Robert for the day-to-day running of the business at the north County Dublin motor park. How long have you been in business?
Since 1987, 26 years. What makes your business successful?
Good customer service, good staff, dedication and determination. Good product. What do you offer your clients that differs from your competitors?
Better customer service and better understanding of their needs. How has the recession impacted your business?
Dramatically, it
has rescued it by approximately 70%.
What is your ambition for the business?
What law or regulation would you change overnight to help your business?
To survive and be successful and to be a prominent motor dealer in north County Dublin and to provide security for all my family for the future.
Reduce VAT. What have you changed about your business to combat the effects of the recession?
Restructured our staff levels, focused on better customer service and needs. What is the best piece of business advice you ever received?
Live below your means.
How do you use social media (Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin, etc) to help your business?
Constant update of sites and promotions eg sales/service. What is your favourite thing about doing business in your local area?
To be part of the community and provide employment. What living person do you most admire?
My wife. What is your favourite Dublin restaurant?
All restaurants in Swords. Who would your three dream dinner guests be and why?
Sebastian Loeb, nine times World Rally Champion, Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear and Valentino Rossi would make for a very good conversation.
Step one: Switch your credit card balance to a more competitive rate The AIB online Click card is the most competitive right now, at 9.14% APR (now only available to AIB Bank’s existing online customers). While this rate is not one of those pesky introductory offers, there are nevertheless 73 terms and conditions attached to the card – including the whopping 24% rate when you take out cash on the card! Caveat emptor. Step two: Bring your lunch to work It costs €2 to make a sandwich in the morning, whereas it costs on average €6 to buy it in the local deli – add in a packet of crisps for good measure. Over the course of 2013, you will save yourself more than €900! Step three: Buy generic food brands There are big savings on tea, coffee and cereal in particular. When shopping, always compare unit price, as
opposed to pack price. If you can save 10 cent on a nappy and you change it six to eight times per day, that’s a saving of almost €300 in 2013.
Step four: Shop Online About 50% of shoppers shop three to four times per week – according to research conducted by the Marketing Science Institute. Shoppers making a “quick trip” to the supermarket end up buying more than 50% more than they anticipated. If this translates to €10 each time, that’s an extra €2,080 per year. Shop once a week, and it’s €520 versus €2,080 per year. That is a saving of €1,560 per year. Step five: Rethink internet/TV/phone providers There are many good deals out there and the telecoms industry is so competitive there’s always a deal to pick up. The status quo is not your friend here. Consider downgrading your TVpackage also if you are not making the most of it. Sky’s basic package will cost you €246 per year as opposed to their advanced package of €852, saving you €606. Check out ComReg’s site www. callcosts.i – and there are five more tips to come! 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
resource : one-stop-shop to benefit industry
Website a major boost for research and development Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
A brand new website which is being hailed as a one-stop-shop benefiting both employers, employees and jobseekers in the research and development (R&D) industry has been launched by Minister for Research and Innovation Sean Sherlock this week. The new facility is being funded by the government to allow easier access for business owners to a bank of opportunities in R&D as well as jobseekers. The new website, called euraxess.ie will provide a number of services for
those in the industry including advertising vacancies, searching an online database of researchers’ CVs, access to research visa systems and funding opportunities. The point of the website is to allow businesses to search for all national and European funding supports for their business and research activities as they crop up. This, it is claimed by the Department of Research and Innovation, will address a common industry concern: difficulty in accessing such information. Minister Sherlock
said: “This great new resource will give a boost to research and development and clearly demonstrates that when it comes to innovation, Ireland is open for business. “Businesses have specifically asked for a onestop shop for these queries and that is exactly what this new portal does. ” The new portal was developed by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) Euraxess office, which is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the European Commission.
It is the first of its kind in the wider European Euraxess network. Maire GeogheganQuinn, European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, said of the new service: “This new industry user interface will make Euraxess Ireland more attractive to industry. “We will be exploring the possibility of rolling this out to other countries so that business users across Europe will have a tailored interface including both job and funding opportunities.” To find out more about the site or to register, go to www.euraxess.ie
30 May 2013 Gazette 17
cinema P20
asdfsdaf P27 TRAVEl P24
OUT&ABOUT Never be out of the loop on what’s happening in Dublin! Let Out&About be your guide to all that is stylish, cultural and essential across the city and beyond this week
Gazette
MUSIC P18
Pets can you give dessie a new home?
TV chef and food writer Catherine Fulvio will be attending Taste of Dublin once again this year
interview: Catherine Fulvio on her love of food and the Taste of Dublin
Irish food with Italian twist natalie burke
“We have fantastic ingredients here in Ireland. Mix that with an Italian twist and you’ve got a marriage made in heaven,” TV chef and food writer Catherine Fulvio recently explained to The Gazette, but it’s not her own love life with Italian husband that the culinary star is referring to. Instead, it’s her love of food and her anticipation of the upcoming Taste of Dublin event set to be held next month. While Catherine is busy appearing on TV around the world, being the proprietor of Ballyknocken House and Cookery School in Co Wicklow, and working on her fourth book, the famous Irish chef still had time to catch up with The
Gazette to tell us about the upcoming Taste of Dublin festival and her future plans in the kitchen. “I’ve been doing stuff for Taste of Dublin now for a good few years, but this time around, it will be in a different capacity,” she said. “I was invited over to the BBC Good Food show in Birmingham last autumn to talk about sustainability in the food industry and lack of waste. They wanted to bring their message to Ireland and bring it to Taste and they did. I am their Ambassador for Taste and for Ireland.” Avoiding food wastage is an important message that Taste of Dublin is trying to send, according to Catherine, who says people are becoming more aware of healthy eating and are looking
to cook simple, inexpensive meals. “People are much more interested in practical cooking at home. At the height of the Celtic Tiger, everybody wanted to learn how to make sushi. Realistically, who is going to make sushi every night of the week?” she said. Cook simple
“Our biggest selling classes here [at Ballyknocken Cookery School] are practical ones. There’s an awful lot you can do to cook simple, inexpensive meals and it’s very simple to cook inexpensively once you have the skills.” Catherine is famed for her modern Irish cooking and that celebrity status has seen her appear on NBC’s Today Show in America and most recently
become a member of the BBC Saturday Kitchen family. She will be attending Taste of Dublin once again this year, and encouraging people to attend. “I’ve met people coming from Donegal, Cork, Galway and all over Ireland. It’s such a cosmopolitan mix of food, it’s just a melting pot of all these wonderful flavours. There’s a great party atmosphere as well with music playing and the live cookery demonstrations,” she said. The highly-anticipated Taste of Dublin 2013 event, sponsored by Electrolux, is a summer food and drinks festival taking place from Thursday 13 - Sunday 16 June in the Iveagh Gardens, Dublin. Tickets are on sale now at www.tasteofdublin.ie or call 0818 30 00 30.
The Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week is darling Dessie, an 11-year-old female German Shepherd. This beautiful lady sure looks amazing despite her years and is young at heart to boot! Dessie can get a little worried sometimes so is best suited to a home with big kids 16+ and small dogs who she will happily make friends with. Her ideal owner would be active, enjoy walks and playing fetch the ball (Dessie’s favourite game!). She is already muzzle trained and all the carers in Dogs Trust firmly believe that this lady is going to make a fantastic pet for the right owner. If you think that might just be you, please contact Dogs Trust on 01-879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www.dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/ dogstrustireland or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE.
Gazette
18 Gazette 30 May 2013
OUT&ABOUT
MUSIC
FASTtunes
The Rocky road to hip-hop heaven Ireland’s hip-hop fans were blessed last weekend when the Heineken Live Project was able to secure A$AP Rocky to play at the Academy. The Harlem-born Rakim Mayers has been on the tip of the tongues of talent tasters since he released his first mixtape in 2011. Appearances with Kendrick Lamar on Drake’s 2012 tour added to the justified hype and the release of his debut album, Long.Live.A$AP earlier this year has taken his career into another stratosphere, it’s clever combination of beats and influences from beyond the strict confines of hip-hop (the album features appearances from the likes of Skrillex, Santigold and Florence Welch) leading to a hypnotic and addictive blend for a new age of rap. The venue was literally rocking by the time Rocky and his crew took to the stage, and over the course of an hour that saw the band stagediving, the crowd bodymoving and sweat dripping off the roof, A$AP secured a place in Dublin hip-hop hearts – it’s not every show where you hear the main act freestyling over the Ole, Ole, Ole chant. A mutual respect between crowd and crew was established early, and it was clear that A$AP was delighted and surprised by the power of the reception he received – but when you have tracks as strong as Wild For The Night, Peso and Goldie in your arsenal, that reception is going to be intense and unbridled. This is easily the smallest venue that you will see Rocky in over the coming years, as his star will continue to ascend with performances as strong as these, slick rhymes and savvy collaborations with the great and good of a number of diverse genres, all adding up to the most exciting new act in hip hop this generation has seen. Long.Live.A$AP indeed.
A$AP Rocky on stage at the Academy last week
Kasabian - Ian Matthews, Tom Meighan, Sergio Pizzorno and Chris Edwards - are headlining this year’s Forbidden Fruit. Picture: Dean Chalkey
interview: kasabIAn frontman tom Meighan talks to GM
Music for the masses
Forbidden Fruit is barely days away, and the range of bands point towards a great weekend of live music. But what every festival needs is an epic band to unite and rock the crowd from the front to the back and, in Kasabian, the organisers have certainly hit that mark by booking the Leicester groove rockers to close out Saturday night. Their blend of indie power pop has put them firmly on every festival’s wishlist since 2004, their swagger allowing them to take the throne that Oasis had tenuously clung to since Morning Glory, particularly on their last two albums, West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum and 2011’s Velociraptor. But the live arena is where Kasabian come
ROB heigh rheigh@gazettegroup.com
to vivid life, and talking to Gazette Music last week, lead singer Tom Meighan was thrilled at the prospect of returning to the stage, despite having meant to have been on hiatus. “We are only doing so many gigs this year, as we are meant to be taking time out. “But we got the offer of these gigs, and they are too good to pass up, as we want to stay oiled. We don’t want to stay away forever. Some bands take a two or three year break, and I don’t like that idea.
Even a year out frightens me a little bit, but we got the offer, and we took it.” Tom said that he sees the shows as a process of charging the band’s batteries ahead of a return to the studio. “T hat’s the whole point of doing these gigs. It’s keeping people interested, and we have a new guitarist in the band now, and the future is looking good.” Guitarist Jay Maher departed from the good ship Kasabian for a spot with Liam Gallagher’s Beady Eye, something that Tom sees as a positive and understandable thing. “Jay just loves playing his guitar and being on the road, and we only have eight shows this year. He wants to be out there, and Liam asked
him to join, and we were totally supportive of that. He’s one of our brothers and he’s gone to a great band. We know all that lot, and it’s cool. Two months off is too much for him, and I’m kind of the same.” The process of coming up with new music is something that is never far away from the band’s minds, according to Tom. “Serge always has ideas, and he’s always writing. He never stops getting ideas, which is great, and he has a studio at his house, so we can always work on new music and record on our terms. “He just shows us on guitar these new ideas, or gives us a CD, and that’s how we work. “With new songs,
we are always trying to change our ideas and not do what we did before. I’ve heard the songs, but I can’t really describe how they sound. It’s too early to say at the moment, and I don’t want to give anything away. “We are going to be recording a new album this year, this summer for sure, and going to have something ready to come out next year, we’ll be on fire again.” And coming back to Ireland to play is always a joy for the band. “I like the passion and the people, I love the way that the crowds react. The crowds in Ireland are the best in the world, that’s just the way they are.” For more information, log on to forbiddenfruit. ie
30 May 2013 GAZETTE 19
GAZETTE
STYLE I am going on holidays next month and always seem to get my airport clothing wrong – wear it too tight or too heavy – what would you recommend wearing for travelling? - Anne, Castleknock Tanya’s Advice: Whenever I am travelling I try to accomplish two things, layer so that I can disrobe when I reach my sunny destination, and wear things that are holiday essentials and can be styled a few different ways when on holiday to get maximum use out of them. This printed top from Love Label is the perfect travel top. Not only is it pretty with any pair of neutral trousers or jeans, but you can dress it up or down on your holidays by wearing with city shorts or tuck it into a skirt for a more evening look. When travelling, team with these gorgeous blue Crop trousers. These will look good with both sandals and heels. Most importantly, carry an extremely large tote bag like this one from Layla, so that you can throw your magazines and your kitchen sink into it.
STAR QUESTION - I’ve become a recent convert to cycling, but I would love some advice on what I should wear while on my bike. I’m not too keen on the idea of bright fluorescent colours or unflattering lycra gear. I’d like to know what clothing would be practical and functional. - Michael Breen, Goatstown
I have a coral maxi dress to wear to a wedding in July which is going to be a pretty relaxed kind of wedding. I can’t wear high shoes, as it just is long enough and could look silly with wedges, so what type of sandals would you suggest? - Aine, Dublin Tanya’s Advice: A coral maxi dress sounds beautiful, but I know that coral can be a tricky colour to accessorise, as it is not quite pink but not quite nude, so the best colour to stick to when styling coral is gold. Opt for a sandal that is quite minimal in its design, that has thin straps but with some form of gold. I have picked two pairs of sandals that I think would
look the best. The miss KG version has no straps in the front, only ornate gold beading, and I love the little dash of animal print on the back strap for extra glamour. The South pair are even more ideal. Not only are they coral in colour, but they have gorgeous gold-beaded detailing down the front and they are only €31. You can’t get better than this!
Style
Gazette Style and Littlewoods Ireland have teamed up to help readers with some style dilemmas
Star Question!
Q&A
For the past four months Gazette Style and Littlewoods Ireland have teamed up to help readers with some very interesting style dilemmas. This, sadly, is our last feature for this Style Q&A. Gazette Style would like all thank our readers for taking an interest in this, and for Littlewoods Ireland Ambassador Caroline Morahan and resident stylist Tanya Grimson for offering their expertise to our readers with their top tips and recommendations.
Tanya’s Advice: You can always wear loose gym shorts and a t-shirt, but if you are cycling lengthy distances you will probably need a t-shirt with some sort of sweat control such as this top from Under Armour – depending on how serious you are taking your new activity? I have also chosen two items that are vital to cycling and more importantly to Irish weather. Altura has produced a range of rain and wind proof over-clothing, ie they can be worn over anything to keep you protected. This gorgeous jacket from the Altura range, is not only rain and wind proof, but has illuminating designs to reflect light in the winter months. They come in a range of lovely colours such as reds and blues. But if colour isn’t your thing, they also come in black. Add the Night Visions trousers and roll them up in your back pack for when they are needed.
Gazette
20 Gazette 30 May 2013
OUT&ABOUT
Theatre THE pavilioN THEATRE 01 231 2929 Audrey Niffenegger in Conversation with Mia Gallagher
THE Time Traveler’s Wife, Audrey Niffenegger’s talismanic first novel, sold more than two million copies and became the quintessential book club choice. Niffenegger, one of the world’s most audacious and inventive storytellers, will be in conversation with journalist Mia Gallagher on May 31, tickets €10/€8.
Draiocht 01 885 2622 Death of the Tradesmen
DEATH of the Tradesmen is a new play about an army of men and the live register. Death of the Tradesmen was developed as part of the TITLE Residency at Solstice and the Cork Midsummer Festival. Made with Rough Magic Production Support and kindly supported by the Arts Council. June 7 and 8, tickets €18/€14.
Mill THEATRE Dundrum 01 296 9340 The Great Gatsby
This is a classic fable – of America, of the breathtaking glamour and decadent excess of the Jazz Age, of enchantment and illusions, of a world where love and dreams are pursued and betrayed. Jay Gatsby, a selfmade millionaire, passionately pursues the elusive Daisy Buchanan. June 6 and 7 tickets €17/€15.
CINEMA
review: Ride or die ... again
Live fast, have fun, make sequels THERE was a time, somewhere near the start of this millennium, where it seemed that Vin Diesel would be the biggest movie star on the planet. It was a crazy time. Foot and mouth disease was on everyone’s mind and Windows XP was on the horizon. Diesel scored back-toback-to-back hits with Pitch Black, xXx and the original The Fast and The Furious and his card seemed marked. He was the new millennium’s action hero. His appearances in a Spielberg film (Saving Private Ryan) and a real drama (Boiler Room) gave him a cachet with serious film fans. Since then, however, it just hasn’t happened for Diesel. The follow-up to Pitch Black, The Chronicles of Riddick, was a commercial and critical bomb, his attempt to return to drama, Find Me Guilty, was underseen and under-rated. Only when he returned to the franchise he had launched, was his career reignited. Having mostly sat out two sequels (he makes an uncredited cameo in Tokyo Drift), Diesel reteamed with Paul Walker for the imaginatively
Paul hosford
Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson get ready to rumble
titled Fast & Furious. That was unexpectedly decent and led to 2011’s formula-busting Fast 5. Heading to Brazil and adding Dway ne “The Rock” Johnson, the whole franchise was reborn, seemingly knowingly becoming bigger, brasher and sillier. With Fast & Furious 6, the gang have retired after their South American heist exploits and are dotted around the world living luxurious lifestyles on their ill-gotten gains. The only one still at the coalface is The Rock’s Agent Hobbs. He is still a DSS agent, but he is now joined by UFC fighter Gina Carano. Together, the tough guy/girl combo must catch Owen Shaw, a scenery chewing English baddie who has a crew which is described as being the “evil twins” of Diesel’s crew. So, of course, they use due process and a lengthy surveillance operation to piece together a case that
Film of the Week: Fast & Furious 6 h h h (12A) 130 mins Director: Justin Lin Starring: Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Paul Walker, Jordanna Brewster, Luke Evans, Gina Carano, Ludacris, Michelle Rodriguez
OUR VERDICT:
It is bad, speaking from an objective place. Overblown story, repetitive action and clunky dialogue abound. But, and more importantly, it’s also fairly entertaining, has The Rock and features some of the best bad one-liners you’ll hear all year. The post-credit scene, which is already more known than the movie, is an absolute belter.
will stand up in court. Of course they don’t! Instead, they go around the world recruiting a bunch of internationally wanted criminals who can drive cars really fast and, um, furiously – because the US government just doesn’t have the manpower to take down criminals. Anyway, ludicrous set up aside, the gang gets back together, on the promise of complete exoneration. And, for Diesel’s Dom Torreto, the fact that his once-dead ex-girlfriend is now being held captive by Shaw, thanks to a handy dose of amnesia (seriously). As the action shifts to
the streets of Europe, the confined nature of the London streets does little for the racing action and the constant darkness pervades the whole film. Fortunately, the gang
is soon transported to a sunny Spanish highway, where a tank, muscle cars and speed abound. It is here that the film hits the highest notes, revelling in what made Fast 5 so enjoyable. The problem is that Shaw, revealed to be a Moriarty like presence in the gang’s lives, is just not a good bad guy. Luke Evans tries manfully, but the material is too weak and the reversion of Johnson and Diesel to friends removes an air of friction that the film sorely needs.
R1
30 May 2013 Gazette 21
GAZETTE
22 GAZETTE 30 May 2013
OUT&ABOUT
GAMING
BYTES&PIECES
FLICKR USERS GREET SITE’S MAKEOVER ... ... with (virtual) axes and torches, and (real) anger
EVEN in a busy couple of weeks for technology, several stories leap out – which, alas, I don’t have room to recount, here. However, flickr – the photography storage/sharing website, owned by Yahoo – certainly made quite an impact following its surprise makeover recently. Touted by Yahoo as a step forward that takes into account modern design aesthetics and user expectations, flickr’s old and sensible (but slightly dull) layout and functionality have been sent packing, with a complete overhaul seeing flickr now practically bashing saucepans on the screen, almost yelling for attention with giant photos that, you might expect, would be just what photography lovers would be looking for. Ah, not so, as within a day of the sudden radical overhaul rolling out, irate flickr users were up in arms, with many thousands of user complaints – many of them bitter and vehemently opposed to the new look and workings – flooding flickr’s own discussion thread set up to focus on the new look, as furious posters sniped at a wide-ranging litany of complaints, vowing to vote with their feet (and wallets) and hitch their wagons for other photography sites instead. Why does this matter? In short, while pretty much every major website sees howls of protest from some users following any change, I’ve never seen such a firestorm of unbridled user revolt and anger ignite around such a major site, with many of the user comments I read pointing out the same perceived flaws and complaints. Of course, such changes often get adjusted afterwards, following user feedback, and it’ll be interesting to see how Yahoo addresses the flickr row. At least the tech giant won’t have far to look – at the point of writing, there are 16,253 user comments on the new look to take note of ...
FORWARDS, NOT BACKWARDS!
Microsoft bigwig disses gamers’ hoped-for feature ONE Xbox One feature that has rankled with gamers is its lack of backwards compatability, meaning that all of the hugely popular current 360 games aren’t playable on it. Speaking to The Wall Street Journal (with his comments then echoing around the internet like a crack of gaming thunder), Don Mattrick, president of the company’s interactive entertainment business division, said: “If you’re backwards compatible, you’re really backwards.” Ouch. I’d better not repeat my friends’ opinion on this, and say, instead, that it’s unfortunate this feature isn’t there.
TECHNOLOGY SECTOR TAXES EXAMINED
Growing political anger at companies’ arrangements AS MUCH as I like my Christmas omnibus edition of Eastenders, even I’ve been hard-pressed to keep up with the unfolding drama regarding international tech firms as their – entirely legal and law-abiding – tax arrangements have come under the media and political spotlight in a number of places. Specifically, at the time of writing, a US Senate committee has echoed a British parliamentary public accounts committee (led by Margaret Hodge, who has greeted the heads of various megacorporations with the verbal equivalents of a red hot poker, when it comes to questioning their entirely legal business methods) in questioning how tech firms arrange and organise their tax systems, and – Ah, like Eastenders, I’ve run out of time, and I’ll have to end on a to-be-continued cliffhanger. Doosh, doosh, doosh ...
Here it is – the Xbox One: powerful unit, a remodelled controller and souped-up Kinect peripheral – a far cry from the chunkier original Xbox (right)
GAMING: MICROSOFT FINALLY UNVEILS ITS NEXT CONSOLE
One to watch out for
AT LAST, Microsoft has thrown its hat in the nextgen ring with the unveiling of the slightly oddlynamed Xbox One – the follow-up to the hugely successful XBox 360 console and, clearly, something that the company very much sees as a home entertainment hub, in addition to being a pretty powerful games console. It’s a position that it was certainly pushing for with the 360, but the One appears to be a much more aggressive push into
SHANE DILLON sdillon@gazettegroup.com
the home-entertainment sector, and could indeed be well positioned as an all-in-one entertainment solution. As a quick overview, suffice it to say that, as with the equally impressive PlayStation 4, the
One has plenty of oomph under the bonnet (and, inevitably, both consoles outperform each other in different ways, techwise, making their choice a case of oranges or apples). Rather than dig down into the One’s technical specs – most of which would fly like a frisbee over the heads of many readers – there are a number of points that caught my eye, and many others. For starters, there’s now a significant Cloud ele-
NUTSANDBOLTS A FEW INITIAL QUERIES ABOUT THE XBOX ONE State-of-the-art tech that looks ... slightly familiar ...
DESPITE all the great tech and functionality that the Xbox One showcases – its HDMI cable in/out functionality, Blu-Ray player, Skype function, 8GB memory and 500GB storage, and so on – gamers were quick off the draw to ask ... well, what about the games? One criticism of the One’s reveal for many gamers was that the console’s games side felt downplayed at the launch. Other issues to be made clearer involve the Kinect peripheral, how second-hand games can be exchanged/played, and the issue of Cloud data storage and retrieval. Finally, more than one gaming wag has already pointed out that the One has a slightly similar visual “footprint” to clunky old video players!
ment involved in the tech – whereby data is stored or retrieved externally, as required, rather than necessarily being stored locally, on the unit itself. The Kinect camera peripheral has been beefed up considerably, with its use expanded to integrate better into the whole home entertainment hub sector that, logically, Microsoft is pushing towards. Slightly controversially, Kinect must always be attached for the One to work, which won’t please many old-skool gamers who didn’t warm to the Kinect first time round. Alas, it’s been made clear that 360 games won’t be compatible with the One, due to their different innards, so hardcore gamers will probably dash out to buy a cheap, but new, 360 “legacy” console to hoard and play
their 360 games on long into the future (while noting that, on the other hand, any movies, music etc can transfer over). Of course, there’re the games, too, to consider, with a number of wellknown franchises and a wealth of publishers and developers working away on launchday titles, with platform exclusives to set alongside a number of multiplatform big hitters. At this stage, that’s more or less it, as there’s no specific release date other than that it’s due out later this year, or pricing (which is likely to see weak sales in Ireland, given the recession). Still, following on from the WiiU firing the opening salvo in the next-gen battle, it’s good to see the Xbox One has been unveiled at last, bringing the promise of even more great games, and technology, ever closer.
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24 MALAHIDE gazette 30 May 2013
Gazette
&ABOUT OUT fast
TRAVEL
TRAVEL
Take a holy enjoyable Tuscan walk natalie burke
FOR those hoping to incorporate their love of walking with their summer holiday this year, perhaps a relaxing walking holiday under the Tuscan sun is exactly what you’re searching for and, with C a m i n oWay s . c o m , there are some unforgettable experiences to choose from. Enjoy a relaxed walking holiday across the picture-perfect Tuscan countryside, taking time to enjoy the region’s cuisine and explore some stunning UNESCO World Heritage sites. A seven-day holiday, starting from just €679 per person, takes you on a leisurely walk across the countryside, visiting sites and villages, and is suitable for the most novice walkers. It also covers part of Section 17 of the Via Francigena – a classic pilgrimage route. Designed for those looking for an active s u m m e r, h o l i d ay makers can take time to discover and admire some of the most beautiful spots of Tuscany, and taste authentic Tuscan food and wine in the region’s best “osterias”. For further information or to make a booking, see www. caminoways.com, or call 01 525 2886.
wexford: regency stylings at marlfield house
A Gorey setting provides a lovely country escape
mimi murray
AN HOUR’S drive from Dublin in any direction will bring you into the heart of the countryside, and none prettier than the Wexford coastline and the stunning setting of Marlfield House, just outside Gorey. It is the perfect little jaunt for an overnight stay, but it feels like you are a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Surrounded by beautiful mature trees and manicured gardens, the house was built in the Regency Period. There is a tennis court and croquet lawn within the grounds, and you might just find yourself being woken by the loud
call of two magnificent peacocks that live on the grounds. We stayed in the French Room, which was very spacious and was decorated in keeping with the period of the house. Lovely French doors lead on to the gardens and, from there, a pretty man-made pond, designed by the owners – the Bowe family – who took the house over several years ago. Fluffy bathrobes and slippers are provided, as well as some other nice extras such as complimentary mineral water, chocolates, and fruit. This is certainly the kind of place where you might wish to get out your finery and dress for
--------------------------
‘You might just find yourself being woken by the loud call of two magnificent peacocks that live on the grounds’ --------------------------
dinner, and what better excuse? The bar, which serves some tasty predinner drinks, had a great selection of aperitifs and cocktails to choose from. The menu is a nice size with plenty of choice, ranging from scallops to chicken liver pate, and goat’s cheese pannacotta to quail, for starters.
Main courses included rib eye steak, john dory, spring lamb or risotto. Food is presented in a classical style, cooked simply with vegetables, herbs and fresh fruits from the house garden. Dessert was a rhubarb mousse followed by a cheese board, with a selection of delicious Irish cheeses. After dinner, we got into conversation with a couple of diners, most of them American, and many of them searching for their Irish roots. They told us they were staying in some stunning period properties around the country, but Marlfield was a stand-out for them. After a quick nightcap, we settled in for a night of
Classic style is married with comfort and elegance in the welcoming setting of Marlfield House, just a skip up the road outside Gorey
wonderful sleep. Back to those peacocks – we have them to thank for just in time making it to breakfast the following morning. Had it not been for their unusual calls, we probably would have slept till noon, such is the comfort of Marlfield. After a hearty break-
fast, made to order, we packed up and headed back to Dublin relaxed and revitalised, and ready to face the hustle and bustle of the city again. For further information on Marlfield House Hotel, see www.marlfieldhouse. com, or www.irelandsblue-book.com.
30 May 2013 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 25
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30 May 2013 MALAHIDE Gazette 27
awards P28
asdfsdaf gaelic games P27 P31
dublinsport Let the Gazette keep you up to date with all the best local sporting action from around the city as we cover all the stories that matter to you and your community
Gazette
athletics P29
FastSport support run for childline:
CEO of Leopardstown racecourse, Pat Keogh, is thrilled to be able to introduce the course’s improvements and reinstate the King George V Cup race after 102 years
racing: first phase of improvements coincide with running of historic race
Leopardstown getting ready for return of George V Cup To celebrate its 125th anniversary this year, Leopardstown Racecourse announces that it will undergo a major redevelopment of its existing facilities. The first phase of the project will see Leopardstown invest €3 million in the upgrade, which will create up to 50 jobs. The work, which began in January, is due to be completed next month in time for the British Irish Raceday on June 7, which will feature the King George V Cup as the feature race. This will be the first time in 102 years that the cup has been competed for
when, in 1911, King George V presented it to the winning owner, Daniel Moloney, a farmer from Limerick. Designed to offer race goers an even better racing experience, the first phase of the rejuvenation focuses on the grandstand area and a new third floor panoramic suite, with capacity to seat 150 people. The existing grandstand was built in 1970 and, while there has been a number of improvements to this structure, this is the biggest addition in 40 years. The aim of the first phase of the rede-
velopment of Leopardstown is to bring it up to international standards. Each year, Leopardstown hosts top quality racing that attracts the best international horses and this redevelopment will ensure that Leopardstown has the facilities to match. Commenting on the redevelopment, chief executive of Leopardstown Racecourse Pat Keogh said: “Over the past 125 years, Leopardstown has been the backdrop to some of Ireland’s racing’s greatest racing, family and community events. It is fitting that we announce the
details of the first stage of redevelopment in Leopardstown, and open the new grandstand area and panoramic suite in time for the King George V Cup. “The new development and our investment in upgrading and creating new facilities at Leopardstown Racecourse, shows our continued commitment to offering race goers, families and the local community the ultimate experience.” For more information on the British Irish Raceday, and on the festivities to take place, see leopardstown.com.
Runners across Dublin are being called upon to help support Childline when Raheny Shamrock Athletic Club hold a 5km midsummer run on June 16 at St Anne’s Park, Raheny, at 11am. Athletes are called on to run, jog or walk in the park to help raise funds for the children’s support charity, and participants will be joined by former RTE newscaster Ann Doyle. There will be medals for all finishers and chip timing will be used to help runners capture their performance. Registration is now open through www.rahenyshamrock.ie and costs €20.
c o n ta c t s Sports Editor: Rob Heigh rheigh@gazettegroup.com
For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@gazettegroup.com Phone: 01 651 6205
Gazette
28 MALAHIDE Gazette 30 May 2013
SPORT
DublinGazetteNewspapers 2013 dublin sports awards may nominees
A HELTER skelter conclusion to the soccer season at adult and underage level has culminated in a string of titles for local clubs, just reward for top class efforts over the past nine months. The scale of what each has achieved varies but St Francis’ exploits to win two All-Ireland titles while remaining steadfastly a local club is to be lauded as is Swords Celtic’s return to intermediate football after over a decade at junior level. On the team side, St Pat’s Palmerstown’s hurlers have begun 2013 in flying form. On the individual front, Annalise Murphy has built on her fourth place finish at the 2012 Olympics in stunning fashion as her road to Rio ramps up. Stephen Quinn is Premiership-bound and could make his international debut while Andrew Meegan was in record-breaking form, marking a brilliant month of local sport.
H STARof the MONTH
annalise murphy
stephen quinn
andrew meegan
THE National YC sailor won gold at the Delta Lloyd Regatta in the Netherlands last weekend to make it two top place finishes in a fortnight. It followed success at the Italian Olympic Week on May 12 to show her superb form.
THE clondalkin winger, right, was in superb form in Hull City’s promotion push to the English Premier League was enough to earn him a place in the Republic of Ireland senior squad for the first time.
ALSAA’S Andrew Meegan was one of the stars of the Carlton Irish Long Course Swimming Championships this month, setting national records in both the 800m and 1500m freestyle events at the NAC.
st francis
St Pat’s Palmerstown
Swords Celtic
THE John Hyland Park club’s U-13s grabbed their second All-Ireland title of 2013 in thrilling fashion when they won the SFAI Troy Cup on penalties against St Joseph’s College, adding to the DB Tours title won in January.
THE Glenaulin club’s senior hurlers have started their season in superb fashion, qualifying for the quarter finals of the SHC with a game to spare while they lead AHL2 with four wins from four games to date.
THE SWORDS Celtic Sunday Major side produced one of the most emphatic league campaigns in the LSL to win back a place in intermediate football after a lengthy wait. They lost just once en route to the title.
TEAMof the MONTH H
Vikings claim honours at Leinster championships sport@gazettegroup.com
Gold medallist from Viking Swim Club receives her medal in the 100m backstroke
Members of the Viking Swim Club in Palmerstown had a successful meet at the recent Leinster Division 2 gala held at the National Aquatic Centre in Blanchardstown. In total, six swimmers from a team of 13 reached the finals of events held on the day. In turn, the finalists claimed one gold medal, four silver and two bronze medals. In addition, one of the swimmers from the club achieved the Leinster Division 1 standard.
Talking after the gala, head coach Jackie Roche said: “As a swim coach, I can’t underestimate the importance of participation in competition galas for our young swimmers. We are actively encouraging these young swimmers to achieve Division 1 standard. “We are equally pleased to see the numbers participating, making finals and achieving personal best times. The haul of medals from this gala and the success at previous galas and in the Community Games is an indicator of the value of
the hard work and effort these young swimmers regularly put in during their training.”
Fundraiser The club are set to hold a fundraising event in Kenny’s Public House in Lucan Village on Friday, June 14. Club chairman Paul Collins said: “The quiz night is a good opportunity for the club to generate essential additional funds which will be ploughed back into the development of the young swimmers.” Viking Swim Club was estab-
lished in 1991, and operates in Palmerstown. Members come from the greater West Dublin and surrounding areas including Palmerstown, Lucan, Leixlip, Clane, Athy and Maynooth, as well as Phibsboro, Ballyfermot and Clondalkin. Coaching is provided by a team of trained staff employed at the sports facility, but as volunteers in their own time. New members are always welcome to join and can contact the club via www.vikingsc.com or on www.facebook. com/VikingSwimClub
30 May 2013 malahide Gazette 29
Gazette
Running for a dream is possible for us all Kenyan athlete and Olympic gold medallist Wilfred Bungei, in Dublin recently to take part in Africa Athletics Week, brings his inspiring message to schools across the capital sport@gazettegroup.com
In sport, there are many legends. but few places in the world produce as many legends as a small village in Kenya called Kabirirsang. Located in the Nandi District of Rift Valley Province, the village has a unique place in sport, in that within a 7km radius, there are no fewer than 10 Olympic gold medallists. One of these legends, Wilfred Bungei, winner of the 2008 800m Olympic gold in Beijing, was in Dublin last week as a guest of Africa Athletics Week, and spent time going around schools talking about his sporting career and inspiring children to pursue their dreams. Speaking to Gazette Sport, Wilfred explained why he is motivated to bring his message to people internationally. “The most important
thing for me is that I am the product of a teacher who inspired me at an early age and instilled in me that I had a potential in athletics. It is inspiring for me to be able to tell children that when they are told that they have a potential, in music or sport or whatever, that they should take it seriously and pursue that dream.” Wilfred explained how the inspiration to be the best he could be in athletics came to him. “The inspiration for me came in an unexpected way. It was on a Monday, and we had come from a weekend meeting, and on the Monday, the teacher told me, Wilfred, can you see me in the staffroom immediately after sports? I thought maybe I was in trouble. “Coming from the competition, I knew I was not the best, but the teacher told me, ‘You know
what? I think you have a potential in athletics, I want you to work hard on that’. Immediately, for the next four years, I always thought, why did he pick me out of everyone else in the class? But his confidence gave me the desire to pursue athletics as a sport.” Wilfred has been hugely impressed by the reaction to his story in the schools he has visited. “I am really overwhelmed by the way that the children respond to this message, and they realise that me and other Olympic champions, we are not supermen, we’re people just like them. “The one thing I really admire most is that when I take time to take questions from them, they ask me when did I start, and so on, so many questions that it amazes me. These young minds, they just need motivation for them to be able to be perform
Kenyan athlete Wilfred Bungei was in Dublin last week and visited Mount Sackville school in Dublin 15
at their best. I’m here as an athlete, but I’m not talking especially about athletics alone, but about sport in general, and other curricular activities that the children are doing in school.” Although modest about his achievements, Wilfred comes from a long tradition of excellence in mid-
And overcome he did, claiming gold in a thrilling and closely contested final in Beijing that secured his place in athletics history. “I had one motivation - I knew it would be my last Olympics and I knew I had to give it my all. I was never as focussed for competition as I was for that race. For me, it was
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‘It’s inspiring to me to be able to tell children to take their potential seriously and pursue their dream’ - Wilfred Bungei
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dle- and long-distance running in Kenya, and that tradition in Kabirirsang runs strong. “Coming from this place, it was a motivation for me. The Olympians from Kenya were people you met and you knew what they achieved in the world. “For me it was a little easier, as I looked up to them and I also come from a family of runners.” And quite the family it is: Wilfred is related to both world-record holder Wilson Kipketer and the man who helped define Kenyan athletics in the 70s, Henry Rono. “We are the products of our environment, I always say. But the road to the Olympics and being an Olympic champion was not easy. The challenges you face as athletes, I faced myself, but I managed to overcome them.”
an overwhelming thing to be able to beat all the odds. “As a country, we were coming from post-election violence, and there were so many challenges, but I kept my eyes on the ball and never lost the focus. For me, when I crossed the line, I was not sure that I had won, but it was like a dream when I realised I had.” Wilfred hopes that he can inspire Irish athletes and hopes that they can learn from the Kenyan experience. “There was a time when people in Ireland performed well in athletics, and athletes should have the opportunity to travel and learn from Kenyan athletes. There is so much we can offer to inspire these kids and in the next few years, hopefully there will be world class athletes coming from Ireland.”
FastSport
Tesco launches 2013 football championship Noelle Healy from St Brigid’s, Roisin Ryan from Ballyboden St Enda’s and Ciara Murphy from Foxrock Cabinteely were on hand last week to help launch this season’s Tesco HomeGrown Dublin Club Championship Division 1 at St Clare’s, DCU Sportsgrounds, Ballymun last week. Tesco HomeGrown have been supporting Dublin Ladies Gaelic Football since 2011 and are title sponsors from Under 11 Championship right up to Senior Championship. In addition to supporting the Dublin Ladies Football Championships, Tesco HomeGrown will be supporting Dublin clubs through a number of initiatives including a sponsored jersey scheme, player’s awards, fundraising activities and support of the Championship finals. For more information on ladies football in Dublin, log on to www.dublinladiesgaelic.ie.
Dublin fans called on to show support GAA supporters in Dublin are being called on to demonstrate their love of the team by submitting pictures of how they have dressed their houses and communities to support the county in the Ulster Bank Best GAA Home In Ireland competition. Throughout the football championship, Ulster Bank is asking supporters to Tweet, post on Facebook and email pictures of how they have decorated their
houses, clubs and communities, with their beloved county and club colours. One overall winner will be selected to win €5,000 towards a home makeover, as well as tickets and hotel accommodation, for their family, to the GAA Football AllIreland Final in Croke Park. Additional prizes will be given out regularly throughout the campaign. Picture submissions can be made via Twitter to @UlsterBankGAA and by using #UBGAAHome, via Facebook to www. facebook.com/ulsterbankgaa and via email to GAA@ulsterbank. com
Gazette
30 malahide gazette 30 May 2013
SPORT
FastSport
soccer: malahide have the edge against boyne Rovers
Fields and Redmond take on Cage Warriors FORMER opponents for the national middleweight championship, Swords resident Chris Fields, above, and Malahide man John Redmond are set for action on Saturday at Cage Warriors 55 in the Helix Dublin. A former middleweight champion, Fields will look to get back to winning ways after losing his title to Jesse Taylor in his last outing at Cage Warriors 51 on New Year’s Eve, but he must first get past seasoned campaigner, Norman Paraisy. No stranger to the big occasion, Paraisy has fought on one of the sport’s largest stages with North American promotion, Bellator Fighting Championships, and he also owns a win over Pride veteran, Paulo Filho. The Straight Blast Gym man has recently claimed that he has “rediscovered his love for the sport” after going six months without a fight and if the talented 29-year-old is to get a shot at a title again a win on Saturday will be a must. Rush Fighting Academy’s best known professional, John Redmond, will make his second appearance at welterweight on Saturday, after turning in a fantastic debut in the weight division at Cage Contender 16 where he saw the experienced Englishman, Chris McDonald. Although Redmond had a bad run of form before the McDonald bout, he seems like a new fighter at 170lbs and will look to make it two wins in a row when he goes toe to toe with Piotr Ptasinski, who will fight for the third time under the flagship European promotion. Redmond has divided his training between his usual stomping ground, Rush Fighting Academy and Drogheda Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and he also won his first professional full contact kickboxing bout in the lead up to Saturday’s card. With the Cage Warriors promotion opening the door to UFC contracts for the likes of Michael Bisping, Dan Hardy and Irishman Conor McGregor in the past, both Fields and Redmond will be aware of what a string of victories under their banner will do for their careers.
The Malahide United U-15B side celebrate their victory in the Ned Behan Cup final last weekend at the Oscar Traynor centre
McColgan the United hero ned behan u-15 cup Malahide United Boyne Rovers sport@gazettegroup.com
1 0
MALAHIDE United’s double-chasing U-15B side landed the Ned Behan Cup in the Oscar Traynor complex last weekend with a fine performance against Boyne Rovers. On a hot May Sunday at the NDSL headquarters, Malahide United were wary of the threat posed by a Boyne Rovers side who had beaten teams from above and below them in the division to qualify for the
final. The match started at a quick pace and both teams had chances at both ends. The pace slowed a little in the heat as Boyne Rovers started to take a grip of the first half. But Malahide decided to change their formation and this helped their cause and gave them a much better grip on the game, Paul Sheridan, who went on to be the man of the match, forced the tempo while making some match saving interceptions along with Cillian O’Donnell,
Interpro master’ Naomh Mearnog star captains Leinster side naomh Mearnog club member Denise Masterson captained Leinster to the MMI ladies football interprovincial shield last weekend in Kinnegad. She is pictured being presented the trophy by Marie Hickey from the Ladies Gaelic Football Association following Leinster’s win over Munster in the shield final. Ulster went on to win the cup title this year as they got the better of Connacht.
United’s goalkeeper. Their combined efforts meant that the first half ended, giving the red and blacks plenty to ponder during the half-time interval. In the second half, United made some crucial substitutions, shoring up their defence and reinforcing their midfield with Adam Dalton moving from centre half to midfield to help their cause. Then, with 12 minutes to go, United broke down Rovers’ right hand side and Chris Kerley passed a ball into the path of Oisin McCol-
gan who dispatched it past the Rovers’ keeper Dean Martin. Malahide then held onto that lead for the remaining few minutes and the celebrations began as the full time whistle went. Manager John Dalton went on to thank his players/assistant managers for all their hard work and effort throughout the season which have now paid off as they are holders of the Ned Behan Cup. In the league, meanwhile, Malahide face a huge battle with local rivals Portmarnock in
the remaining weeks of the season as they battle for supremacy in the NDSL U-15B division. C u r r e n t l y, Un i t e d lead the way by just two points with one game left in their schedule. The Ports, though, have a game in hand and they will face MidSutton next weekend in a critical game in the tussle for the league title. Elsewhere, Malahide’s NDSL U-15A side will finish their league campaign in seventh place, clear of bottom sides Ashbourne and Woodlawn.
30 May 2013 MALAHIDE gazette 31
Gazette
Fins stun Na Fianna with first half triple sport@gazettegroup.com
PAC K I E B a r nwe l l ’s Fingallians ladies footballers now boast two wins in two championship outings having seen off Round Tower Clondalkin in a very one-sided game two weeks ago. They went on to beat Na Fianna, county cham-
pions two years ago, last week in a very tight game, 3-10 to 0-14. “It was a great result for us,” said Barnwell. “I’m sure Na Fianna will be back in the semi-finals, we got a bit of luck against them but they’re a fantastic team and I’m sure if we meet them again they’ll give us a game.”
The Swords side were originally three points down at the midway point in the first half, 0-6 to 0-3, before they put three goals past the Na Fianna stopper, with Denise McKenna, AnnMarie McDonagh and Lindsay Davy all on the mark. Na Fianna fired back with some of their own
points but at the interval it seemed like a one horse race with the three goals separating the sides at 3-6 to 0-6. “We went in with the big lead at half time, but I knew it was far from over,” said the Swords coach. But they managed to hold on to be in pole position to progress.
Club Noticeboard st sylvester’s AHL3: St Jude’s 0-11 St Sylvester’s
team drew with Ballyboughal in the
3-18. After a slow start, we took a
cup.
three point lead into half-time and
Check out the brilliant report on
then played some sparkling hurling
the victory of the Under-14 football
through the second half for a hand-
team over Feile champions Bally-
some win.
boden St Enda’s on www.stsylvest-
AHL3: St Sylvester’s 1-12 Thomas
The Golf Society has listed their
back from a seven-point deficit to
upcoming events starting with the
edge the win over Thomas Davis.
Swords Open on June 7.
Nigel got the all-important goal.
hurling: st sylvester’s top AHL division three
ers.ie.
Davis 1-11 . On Wednesday, we came
The junior hurler s los t to St Brendan’s and the junior football
The lotto jackpot this week is €3,250. Play and win on www.stsylvesters.ie and support the club.
naomh mearnog OUR senior hurlers put on a fine display to draw with Oliver Plunkett’s. Our Under-14 footballers drew with Ballymun in a great game. The
Don’t forget that if you are not going to the game, you can watch it on our big screens in the club where finger food will be served.
Under-12 hurlers beat Crokes while
On Sunday night the ever popular Joe
the Under-13 footballers defeated
Fortune is on stage in the bar. Admis-
Clontarf.
sion is free and all are welcome.
The girls kept the club flag flying also
The annual Louise Fitzpatrick Big
with wins for our Under-10 camogie
Picnic in aid of Barretstown takes
girls and our Under-13 and 14 ladies
place in Malahide Castle on Saturday,
football teams.
June 8 at 1pm. Please support this
Good luck to Kevin, Shane and the
worthy cause.
Dubs on Saturday night. Tickets
The new season’s club lotto has com-
ordered for this game can be collect-
menced. The jackpot is over €7,000.
ed on Thursday night.
Please support.
fingalllians The St Sylvester’s division three hurlers have made a superb start to their league campaign
Clancy brings calm influence to Syl’s
ahl division three St Jude’s 0-11 St Sylvester’s 3-14 sport@gazettegroup.com
AFTER the departure of former Dublin manager Tommy Naughton, St Sylvester’s AHL 3 side would not have been criticised for thinking they had a tough season ahead. However, with the arrival of new manager, St Vincent’s man Eamonn Clancy, the Malahide men have enjoyed a fantastic purple patch, winning three out of three of their opening encounters in
the AHL 3, a division which many consider the most competitive in the county. “To be honest we were all hoping that Tommy would stay on originally,” said mentor Pat Keogh. “He was looking for a change and we thought a lot of the lads would be unsettled, but it was his decision in the end. “When Eamonn came in first, we really didn’t know what to expect. “T he lads have a great relationship with Tommy, but now looking at the results, you’d have to say that the switch in
dynamic, the different style and new ideas have really helped us.” After an initial win over Vincent’s, they won twice in the past week with a 1-12 to 1-11 win over T homas Davis, coming from seven points down. St Jude’s were dismissed 3-18 to 0-11 in Tymon Park last Saturday. And, working alongside Clancy, Keogh has noticed the contrast between Naughton and his successor. “Eamonn has a very laid back approach to the game. He always has
a plan for everything, games and training. He’s organised to a fault. “He’s ver y driven, he’s the first at training and the last to leave. It took him a while to get to know the lads but once he did, he developed good relationships with them and he likes to work with each player individually. “ Looking to the end of the season, Keogh claimed that while they want to go as far as they can in the league, regaining the senior B championship status is another big objective for the team.
A VERY successful week was had with
Tickets can now be ordered from the
a big midweek win for the ladies foot-
club bar: stand €25 and juvenile €5, Hill
ballers in the championship; our junior
16 €15.
footballers qualifying for the Murphy
Go n-eirí go geal lenar gcairde Na
Cup final and our inter hurlers had a
Gaeil Óga a bheidh ag imirt ar son
league win. Our U-16s were beaten in
Atha Cliath i gComortas Peile na
the shield final by three points.
Gaeltachta sa Rinn, Contae Port
A big thank you to all who supported
Lairge ag an deireadh seachtain.
a very successful hurling festival last
Craolfar na cluichi ar TG4. Beidh ion-
week.
adaí ann o Fingallians.
The club awards night: tickets for
The official launch night for Fingal-
Friday, May 31 are now available from
lians Strictly Come Dancing Midsum-
all adult managers and also behind
mer Ball will take place on Friday
the bar for €5 each.
night at 8.30pm in the club bar. The
Football: Leinster championship
night itself is starting at 8:30pm on
tickets for June 1, Dublin v Westmeath
June 22 in Fingallians, and an amazing
at 7pm and Offaly v Kildare at 5pm.
production is promised.
st finian’s OUR adult hurlers had a good win
Some other dates for your diary
over Trinity Gaels on Saturday. Other
include our Fun Day which is set for
notable performances were posted
Saturday, June 22 and our 30th anni-
by our U-9 and U-11 Camogie teams.
versary function, being hosted in
Our U-9 girls hosted a blitz on Sun-
Peacock’s Steakhouse, on July 20.
day and won all four of their matches.
Further details to follow over the
The U-11 girls had a win against Nh
coming weeks.
Barrog by a score of 7 goals to 5 goals. Well done to all. This week, we have a table quiz on
Our lotto jackpot this week was €10,400 and the numbers drawn were 1, 11, 22 and 24. There was no winner.
Thursday, May 30 at 8.30pm. The
The €50 winners were Fintan Lalor
quiz is being held in Peacock’s Stea-
and Thomas O’Reilly. Next week’s
khouse.
jackpot will be €10,500.
GazetteSPORT all of your malahide sports coverage from page 27-31
lovely hurling: St Sylvester’s produce brilliant start to the AHL3 campaign with three wins P31
may 30, 2013
inspiration information: Kenyan Olympic gold medallist speaks to the Gazette P29
Malahide United’s Sunday Senior side have “massive possibilities” for next season after consolidating in the top tier of the LSL
Mahon in for Malahide Former UCD and St Patrick’s Athletic boss adds to the wealth of know-how at Gannon Park for the 2013/14 LSL campaign peter carroll
sport@gazettegroup.com
MALAHIDE United manager John Gill has added decorated former Airtricity League manager, Pete Mahon to his backroom staff in another eye-catching appointment for the Gannon Park club’s LSL Sunday Senior crew. Mahon will take on a coaching role at Malahide United, as the side look to capture some silverware after consolidating themselves in the Senior Sunday division. Mahon, who worked alongside Gill at St Patrick’s Athletic, is a vastly experienced manager who Gill believes can help the side move to the next level as they bid to climb the ranks in the top level of intermediate
football in Leinster. “We worked together at Pat’s and we developed a very strong professional relationship,” said Gill on the arrival of Mahon. “Pete is a man who knows the game from top to bottom and we have a proven track record working together. “With all due respect to Malahide, I think it’s a huge coup to get a man of Pete’s experience on board in a coaching capacity, and I’m sure he’ll help us to great things in the future.”
Coaching Mahon admits that coming in as a coach, a role that he hasn’t had for a long time, was a tough decision to make, but once he met up with the people from Malahide and saw
what a fantastic club it was, he knew he had to take the position. “When John asked me, I told him I’d have to think about it,” said the new Malahide coach. “I haven’t worked as a coach in a long time, but I was very impressed when I met the people at the club and I was blown away by the club’s facilities. “Malahide United have done amazing things to raise their profile and gain senior status, they have a thriving schoolboy section and I think they have some of the best facilities in the country. “The club is one with massive possibilities and John’s and my job will be to make them into a reality. “I’ve watched the team play and although they did fantastically well to finish mid-table
next year, I want to see the side winning silverware and that means we’re going to have to strengthen the team. “Between myself and John, we’ve already made a list of possible transfer targets that we hope will bring a winning mentality and confidence to the team and that will be starting on the training ground on July 6 when our preparation begins. “We certainly won’t be signing players for the sake of it. The club have done fantastic things and the last thing we want to do it destroy its tradition. “We will have an 11 month season including the preseason training, and hopefully we will be contesting for the league and some other silverware after the hard work we will put in,” he said.