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Dublin wins All-Ireland.. award for tidiest town Skerries takes the top prize, marking the capital’s first victory in 26 years

 AENGUS O’HANLON SKERRIES has been crowned Ireland’s Tidiest Town – the first time in 26 years a Dublin town has won the prestigious SuperValu Tidy Towns award and only the second time a

town from the capital has scooped the top gong in the contest’s 58-year history.

The picturesque seaside town took the title after fighting off tough competition from 858 villages and towns across the country. It also

scooped the award for Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town.

Skerries has been entering the competition since 1959, one year after the competition began. As the overall winner, the town wins a trophy and a prize of €10,000.

Delighted Fianna Fail TD for Dublin Fingal, Darragh O’Brien said: “It’s a proud day for Skerries, for Fingal and for Dublin. Let’s hope the Boys in Blue can follow suit in Croke Park on Saturday evening.”

Full Story on Page 9

2 FINGAL GAZETTE 29 September 2016

PROPERTY | CAPITAL’S PRICES TAKE OFF IN CURRENT QUARTER

House prices rocket €25k in three months

Brother of cyclist killed pays tribute  SYLVIA POWNALL

HOUSE prices in the capital have soared by up to €25,000 in the past three months, with the value of homes in the capital experiencing almost twice the growth recorded in the second quarter of 2016.

According to a survey conducted by Real Estate Alliance, house prices in Dublin city have soared to €373,333 since June, with one agent – Ed Dempsey, in Clonskeagh – reporting hikes of €25,000 as buyers chase a scare supply of suitable housing.

The average three-bed semi-detached home in that area jumped by 5.49%, from €455,000 in June to €480,000 in Sep-

tember – a rise of 9.09% year-on-year, he said.

Ror y Crerar, REA Orchard, Rathfarnham said: “The autumn market is stronger that it was in previous years and there is a lot of demand, particularly in the lower and middle market, which is moving fast.”

In South County Dublin, the average threebed semi now comes in at €355,000 – a jump of 1.43% since the last quarter, according to the sur vey, while in North County Dublin, it had jumped 2.97%, to €260,000.

Nationally, the average three-bed semi has risen above €200,000 for the first time since the

The classic three-bed semi is now even less affordable for Dubliners, with the chronic scarcity of stock one of the factors pushing prices ever higher

property crash sent the country went into meltdown, while in North County Dublin, the average house price index reported a jump.

T he REA Average House Price Survey con-

centrates on the actual sale price of Ireland’s typical “stock home” – the three-bed semi – giving an up-to-date picture of the property market in towns and cities to the end of the third quarter,

which ends this week.

The average threebed semi nationally now costs €200,093 – a hike of €4,732, or 2.42%, since the end of June, marking a rise of 6.37% against the same time last year.

FASTNews Valley Walk in aid of cancer

THE 10th annual Valley Walk in aid of the Irish Cancer Society will take place on October 8 around River Valley in Swords. This walk is always a very popular event and is organised by cancer survivor Margaret Harris. Walkers are asked to meet at Peacocks Pub in River Valley at 1pm and the walk starts at 2pm. It will take approximately one hour and will be followed by a raffle and refreshments in Peacocks. Sponsorship cards are available or donations on the day. This walk is buggy friendly. For further details, contact 087 2213605.

Alter Pharma jobs boost ALTER Pharma in Balbriggan is set to create 80 jobs bringing the total number employed at its Dublin headquarters to 120 by 2018.

Fine Gael TD Alan Farrell welcomed the news.

He said: “Job creation in Dublin Fingal is of the utmost importance in terms of supporting our local economy and ensuring every person has the ability to get a job.

Shop front retail scheme

Over 50 retailers in Balbriggan have expressed an interest in the new shop front retail scheme which the council is running in association with Balbriggan Chamber of Commerce. The scheme will be rolled out between September and December and follows the publishing by the council of a document setting out the range of economic stimulus initiatives underway and planned for the town. See www.fingal.ie.

THE brother of a woman killed in a collision in Dublin’s north inner city paid tribute to her at a rally for Action on Cycling last week.

Donna Fox, 30, from Balbriggan, died after she was hit by a truck on Seville Place earlier this month.

Last week a group of cyclists made their way from Dame Street in Dublin to the Department of Transport Offices on Leeson Lane to highlight the dangers they face in the city.

They are calling for a one per cent increase on transport funding for walking and cycling, to bring it to 10 per cent.

Donna’s brother Neil Fox – who publicly thanked the community for their kindness in the days after her death - said it was an opportunity to thank the cyclist community in person for their support.

He told the assembly: “What happens when a cyclist dies in such a way is indescribable. Right now as a family we are still in a state of shock.

Anne Marie, Daddy, Leanne, Callum and I have suffered a loss so great.

“Donna and I spent our last day together this day three weeks ago and were due to meet on her lunch break two weeks ago today, but Donna wasn’t here then.

“An accident happens in an instant, but the effects take years if ever to come to terms with.

We are just at the very starting line of this awful challenge.”

Despite the help provided by witnesses to the horror crash, critically injured Donna, a health and nutrition expert, died at the scene.

At her funeral Fr Chris Derwin said she was “a

Donna Fox

kind, loving and tender person, a girl with a gentle spirit. Those who knew her agree she was sporty, active, lived a healthy lifestyle. A beautiful life that was taken too soon.”

A chorus of bicycle bells rang out during last week’s demonstration before Neil went on to say that, despite the tragedy that took his sister, cycling should be encouraged.

He said people should not be governed by fear, but added that “the very best possible safety measures” need to be put in place, especially in busy city areas.

He added: “Donna loved to cycle and just like her horse riding I imagine it gave her a sense of freedom.

“Let us hope and pray that Minister Shane Ross and others in Government work with you all to create the best possible safety measures to keep those of us who walk and cycle about our daily lives in this city, as safe as possible.”

Green Par ty Cllrr Ciaran Cuffe, who also attended the protest, said cycling and walking receive less than one per cent of transport funding.

He said: “We must invest in decent cycle lanes, footpaths, near our schools, in our towns and cities, and where people live.”

Another protest is planned outside the Department of Transport on Monday, October 3 at 5.30pm.

Happy Birthday

2U

40 years of U2 The biggest band in the world, Dublin’s U2, celebrated 40 years in music last weekend. The four-piece shared a picture on Facebook (right) to mark the occasion which looked like it was taken by a 40-year-old camera.

It was in 1976 when a young Larry Mullen Jnr posted an ad looking for members to join his band and the rest is history. Frontman Bono has recently confirmed that the group will embark on a world tour next year.

29 September 2016 FINGAL GAZETTE 3

4 FINGAL GAZETTE 29 September 2016

FINGAL | COUNCIL URGED TO AVAIL OF €3.8M GRANT PROVISION FROM CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

‘Lack of a Swords Community swimming pool beggars belief’  SYLVIA POWNALL

SWORDS should have its own municipal swimming pool according to local Cllr Duncan Smith (Lab).

He has called on the council to provide funding for a local authority pool in the heavily populated town.

Cllr Smith said there was no reason why Swords, as the third largest town in Ireland, should not have a pool since Dublin City has seven, Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown has three and South Dublin council area has two.

He told The Gazette: “There doesn’t seem to

be a strategic goal in the council to deliver a swimming pool facility, which should include a gym and fitness centre.

“It is embarrassing and regrettable that Fingal does not provide one public swimming pool throughout the entire county. I grew up and learned how to swim in a public swimming pool in Finglas.

“I take for granted that potentially life-saving skill I learned at a young age in my local municipal pool. It is incredible that a town the size of Swords does not have a public swimming pool.”

Cllr Smith said he was looking forward to

the bike scheme being extended to Swords in tandem with Metro North.

He added: “Swords is growing rapidly and while we have many great facilities in our town, we are lacking in some areas and I believe this is one of them.

“People still refer to Swords as a lovely village, but we need to change this mentality particularly when it comes to looking for resources.”

Cllr Smith pointed to a €3.8 million grant provision from Central Government and said the council should lose no time availing of it.

He said: “My ques-

tion to the council was why have we not applied for this? We have areas zoned for community infrastructure and the council has built excellent community centres.

“I believe the local authority is committed to improving the community, but for a town the size of Swords and an area like the North County, not to be served by a community swimming

pool beggars belief. This needs to be rectified.”

Cllr Smith said he was disappointed with the reply from the council which says it won’t fund amenity projects which are already being met by the private sector.

It stated: “The Department of Transport, Tourism & Sports Local Authority swimming pool funding programme is for local authority-

owned swimming pools or for new pools where the local authority has established a high demand generally population based.

“Swimming pools are an expensive piece of infrastructure to provide and operate and Fingal County Council has not provided such facilities to date with the need, where it exists, being met by the private sector.”

Cllr Smith said this was “very negative”, pointing to privately-operated pools at Applewood and ALSAA which, he said, are not affordable for everyone.

He added: “This topic comes up over and over on the doorsteps and many residents have relocated to Swords from areas where they had access to public swimming pools.”

Local lad makes festival greener TECH wizard Robert Beirne helped Electric Picnic go green earlier this month.

The Swords graduate was recruited by Global Green for the music festival in Stradbally to help with their waste management programme.

Robert won this year’s Lidl Graduate Employee of the Year in May for demonstrating enthusiasm, initiative and skill, as well as adding significant value and contribution to the business success of the German discount chain.

Robert, who graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Technology Management in 2012, completed the Lidl Graduate Programme in Logistics Management and was given full responsibility for all waste and recycling contracts for Lidl’s 184 stores and regional distribution centres.

As part of his project management role, Robert devised new ways to increase the levels of recycling within the company.

A total of 85% of Lidl’s total waste is diverted away from landfill with an overall goal of hitting the Zero Waste to Landfill mark. Within six

months, Robert’s efforts boosted recycling levels by over 30%. He did this by introducing and overseeing a range of changes - from how Lidl processed and transported its compost waste material to recycling additional products.

Robert made Lidl Greener and Lidl received a Repak Pakman award for Excellence in Waste Management, and at Electric Picnic he used his skills to help the Global Green at Electric Picnic.

Global Green invited Robert to join their waste and recycling team, Chris and Lynn, and help manage their waste for the three days, as well as welcoming festival goers to their eco space and giving a brief talk on his eco learnings and how he has helped Lidl become greener.

A spokesperson for the eco project said: “It was a great success and all in all we were pleasantly surprised by the level of interest shown by the music fans.

“It seems the message around green living and recycling finally seems to be getting through and the younger generation have really embraced it.”

29 September 2016 FINGAL GAZETTE 5

6 FINGAL GAZETTE 29 September 2016

GazetteGALLERY

| ART LOVERS TAKE IN A FUNDRAISING EXHIBITION AT TENNIS

Noel Kealy, Craig Forde, Grace Kealy and Eva Kealy. Pictures: Alison O’Hanlon

Cllr Anthony Lavin (FG), Mayor of Fingal Cllr Darragh Butler (FF), Catherine Lawlor and Senator James Reilly (FG)

Art show raises over €4k for cancer ward L

Elaine O’Sullivan, Margaret Long and Geraldine Mullan

Leanne Fitzgerald and Jacinta Cullen

OVE was the name of the game at Malahide Tennis Club as the Catherine Lawlor School of Art held its eagerly awaited 14th Annual Art Exhibition earlier this month.

That’s because all the proceeds raised at the event went to St Clare’s Oncology Ward in Beaumont Hospital, which holds a special place for students at the popular art school.

Imelda Coffey – who helped organise the event and whose work was on show along with 170 paintings by over 60 artists – tragically lost her daughter Susan earlier this year to cancer. This year’s exhibition was held in Susan’s honour and the evening raised more than €4000 for the oncology ward where she was treated.

Speaking on the night, Imelda thanked everyone who had attended the event.

She said: “On behalf of Susan’s family I wish to thank all the family, students and their families, supporters, neighbours and friends who supported our fundraising event on behalf of

Collette Guinan

the Oncology Unit Beaumont Hospital.

“Thank you to Roisin, Alison and Karen who represented Beaumont Hospital Oncology Unit on behalf of Professor Liam Grogan and who spoke so elegently about dear Susan.

“Susan who was so courageous and fought so hard with her beautiful smile through to the end. She lived with a smile and left us her beautiful smile. I feel Susan is near. There is only a light veil between us. Those you love, you never lose.

“We are so proud of our beautiful granddaughters Aoife and Louise and Colm her husband and how they are coping with their loss. Susan would be so proud.”

For more information on the Catherine Lawlor School of Art, contact Catherine at 085 7106895 or go to www.dublinartclasses. com.

Alternatively, you can visit their Facebook page at Dubiln Art Classes Catherine Lawlor School of Art.

Kevin Fox and his painting of the Casino in Marino.

29 September 2016 FINGAL GAZETTE 7

CLUB SHOWING STUDENTS’S SKILLS FROM CATHERINE LAWLOR’S SCHOOL OF ART

Treasa Ni Chonasla and Celine Murphy

Patricia Gorman and Paula Foley

Imelda Coffey and her fantastically colourful artwork, one of 170 on show. Some 37 paintings were sold on the night

Marie Hickey and John Beggs

Jean Lowndes with her painting

Deirdre Skinner and Mary Fallon

Margaret Kealy

8 FINGAL GAZETTE 29 September 2016

CHILDCARE | LAUNCH OF SHERPA KIDS IN DONABATE

Berta bids farewell to sterile corporate world  SYLVIA POWNALL

A SWORDS mother has come up with a novel solution for parents in need of affordable childcare.

Berta Lazarovici – herself no stranger to the demands and challenges that parents face - has just launched Sherpa Kids in Scoil Phadraic Cailini.

Sherpa Kids offers on-site, flexible and price-savvy afterschool childcare as well as mid-term and holiday services working in partnership with the Donabate school.

The service, which is provided by skilled and qualified childcare workers within the school, eliminates the logistical nightmare and stress that working parents face in trying to organise for their children to be collected from school, and being taken to a child-

minder, as well as being minded during school midterms.

Berta explained how she and her husband liked the idea of Sherpa Kids so much that they decided to buy the franchise and make it available to other parents in Swords, Portmarnock and Rush.

As a busy working mum of two young children she Berta Lazarovici understands too well what it means to juggle between daily and bring a contribution to responsibilities, house duties, the lives of others.

“I thought what better and caring for her kids.

She told The Gazette: way to do this than com“With more than ten years’ bine my studies in educaexperience in human resourc- tion and psychology with es and business consultancy, I b u s i n e s s m a n a g e m e n t have decided to leave behind experience to solve a probthe sterile corporate environ- lem in childcare that my ment and dive straight in to family and many of my the creative and passionate friends are also facing.” life of childcare services.

She said: “Sherpa Kids is a “I also want to get more great solution for any working involved in the community parent who needs reliability

and flexibility when it comes to childcare. The need for a high-quality service that is child-centric.

“The service gives parents peace of mind that children are looked after in a safe, secure and stimulating environment.

“It also allows children to attend the other clubs run by the school, while coming to Sherpa Kids in between.”

Childcare worker Cathy Sayers, together with aspiring teacher Kirsty Lawler-Byrne, will educate and entertain kids with a wide range of activities devised to weekly themes which include arts, crafts, music, drama, sports, baking, and games – the list and imagination is endless, and all for only €5.50 per hour.

See www.sherpakids.ie for more details.

BT Young Scientists 2016 Diana Bura and Maria Louise Fufezan

Victory in Europe

BALBRIGGAN boffins Maria Louise Fufezan and Diana Bura have added a European title to their reign as Young Scientists of the Year. Ireland’s science champs, from Loreto Secondary School, bagged third place at the EU leg of the competition in Brussels last week. In January the transition year students impressed judges with their project An Investigation Into The Effects of Enzynes Used in Animal Feed Additives on the Lifespan of Caenorhabditis Elegans. Their detailed study landed them first prize and last week they added third place in the Europe-wide contest earning them a prize fund of €3,500. They also won the special donated DuPont prize, which includes a visit to Dupont’s plants in Denmark and a sightseeing tour. In a joint address to the audience in Brussels Maria Louise, 17, and Diana, 16, said: “We are proud to be recognised on an international stage alongside so many talented young scientists and entrepreneurs from across Europe. The determined duo added to Ireland’s impressive list of accolades in the competition and their win means we are now ranked second overall in terms of prizes at EU level.

29 September 2016 FINGAL GAZETTE 9

Skerries crowned the Tidiest Town in Ireland Pictures by Ray Watts

 EMMA NOLAN MONDAY was a proud day for Fingal as Skerries has been crowned the Tidiest Town in Ireland for 2016.

This is the first time that the north county Dublin town has scooped the overall prize since it first entered in 1959.

Locals are said to be delighted with the achievement which saw the town be chosen from 859 towns and villages nationwide.

Local resident and TD Brendan Ryan said that he is delighted that his town has finally gotten the recognition it deserves. “Skerries has been knocking on the door of this prize for a number of years now,” he said.

“This is a testament to the years and years of dedication and hard work from the Skerries Tidy Town group and all its volunteers. They are a cornerstone of the Skerries

community and their work is central to keeping the town of Skerries so clean and beautiful.”

Skerries was announced overall winner of the SuperValu National TidyTowns competition at a ceremony in the Helix on Monday.

Mayor of Fingal Cllr Darragh Butler said of the win: “This award has been a long time coming — but I’m delighted for all involved and for the people of Skerries. And after the disappointment of last weekend, when the Dublin ladies lost, this was a real boost!”

Minister for Regional Economic Development Michael Ring said Skerries’ win is “evidence of their consistently achieving high standards in the competition”.

Local TD Alan Farrell also extended his congratulations, saying the award is “testament to the hard work of everyone involved in the Tidy Towns organisation in Skerries”.

Members of Skerries Tidy Towns committe with the winning trophy

10 FINGAL GAZETTE 29 September 2016

Out and About

Miss Dublin South, Emma Doherty

Alan Hughes and Karl Broderick

Meet the winner of Miss Ireland 2016 - Miss Tipperary,

Miss Dublin West, Jasmine

Niamh Kennedy. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Gerhardt

Tipp tops the beauty hunt Former Miss Irelands Aoife Walsh and Rebecca Maguire

Aoife McGrane and Colleen O’Reilly strut their stuff

L

OVELY girls were out in force for the grand final of Miss Ireland 2016, held at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Santry.

Stylish and smart young ladies from all across the island of Ireland gathered for the glittering event, in the hopes of landing a range of prizes that included a modelling contract, a professional photoshoot and, of course, the glory of representing Ireland at the upcoming Miss World in Washington DC in December.

While judges tipped their hats to the lovely Niamh Kennedy, from Tipperary, as the new Miss Ireland, the confident, clever and charming contestants were all winners in their own rights.

Comperes Brendan Scully and Elaine Crowley were also dressed to impress

The contestants all had great life stories to reveal to the judges

Miss Dublin North, Carolyn Reilly

Niamh reacts with shocked delight

29 September 2016 FINGAL GAZETTE 11

Out and About

Thousands march for choice

Some of the crowd at the end of March For Choice as they gathered at the rallying point outside Government Buildings at Merrion Square

T

HE last great faultline remaining in Irish society was to the fore last weekend as the ground trembled lightly from tens of thousands of men and women on the move at the March For Choice, walking through the city centre as they called on the Government to repeal the Eighth Amendment.

The highly-divisive topic was something that the throng came prepared to shout, sing, chant and call about despite the rain, with many sporting home-made signs, posters and banners as they followed the usual marching route for most protestors from the Garden of Remembrance across the river Liffey to Merrion Square.

At the end of their march, the assembled crowd listened to a number of speakers, cheering at the news that ex-pats were holding similar rallies in other major cities around the world.

Minister for Children and Youth affairs Katherine Zappone (centre)

Drawing together a wide variety of groups, the marchers comprised people of all ages and backgrounds, with even Fathers Ted and Dougal used to invoke the marchers’s messages

GAZETTE

12 GAZETTE 29 September 2016

DUBLINBUSINESS

EZ Living Furniture scoops a retail award of excellence EZ LIVING Furniture has won the prestigious Award of Excellence in the Retail Excellence Ireland Awards 2016, w it was announced as one of the top 30 stores in the country.

EZ Living Furniture was granted the Award of Excellence for its high-end visual merchandising, customer ser vice skills, large range of quality products, value for money, store presentation, new accessory stores and staff training.

The company uses Irish suppliers where possible, supporting Irish jobs, and provides high-quality classic and innovative designs with the best value.

Since its initial opening in Galway in 1998, the Irish-owned and family-run company has gone from strength-

to-strength, increasing from three stores in 2010 to 10 stores now operating nationwide.

This expansion has led to the creation of many new jobs with the company now employing more than 180 people.

The Retail Excellence Ireland Awards are the largest, most revered and recognised event in the Irish retail industry calendar.

The awards acknowledge and reward retail stores, companies, websites, individuals and suppliers who deliver exceptional standards within the industry.

EZ Living Furniture said they were delighted to have won the Award of Excellence, particularly as this year saw a substantial increase in the number of entries from all across Ireland.

As finalists in the top 100 in 2015, they are thrilled to have now made it to the top 30 in the country.

The award ceremony will take place on Saturday, November 5 in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway.

For the full range of EZ Living Furniture products, see in store, or alternatively see www. ezlivingfurniture.ie.

START-UPS | APPLY NOW FOR A BIG BOOST

€10,000 to help your business blast off ENTREPRENEUR Bobby Kerr was on hand to help JumpStart 2016 blast off, with the seventh annual competition from the LINC Centre, at the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown, once again looking for a winning business start-up to award a €10,000 cash prize to.

The competition is open to entrepreneurs, giving them a unique opportunity to jumpstart their business, and who wish to base their business in an innovative and supportive environment whilst developing the business.

This year’s judging panel will again be headed up by Bobby, with other judges including Shane

Doyle, vice-president for Manufacturing Ireland, Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc; Oisin Geoghegan, head of local enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Fingal; Declan Lyons, commercialisation manager, Enterprise Ireland and Padraig Challoner, business manager at AIB. The winner will get a cash prize of €10,000, an office space at the LINC, and mentoring supports.

They will also get access to a wide range of facilities, seminars, the institute’s academic expertise, and other such practical, industry-focused supports.

Interested applicants must meet the following criteria – to have been in business for less than two

Entrepreneur Bobby Kerr (right) with Shane Doyle, vice-president for Manufacturing Ireland; Padraig Challoner, business Manager, AIB, and Gemma Conway, business development executive, Fingal Local Enterprise Office. Picture: Andres Poveda Photography

years, demonstrate their intent to export if they are not already exporting, and demonstrate substantial growth to strengthen the economic impact of the business within the region.

Applicants are invited to record a three-minute

pitch and upload it at www.thelinc.ie/jumpstart, by 5pm on Friday, October 14. The shortlist of winners will be announced on Friday, November 11, with the JumpStart 2016 winner to be announced on Tuesday, December 6.

General manager Richard Tilson cuts the ribbon to officially open the showroom. Picture: Stephen Fleming

Hertz motors forward in Phibsborough PHIBSBOROUGH has welcomed the opening of a new dealership, thanks to the arrival of Hertz Car Sales. The new Hertz, which is located at the North Circular Road, marks the first Irish sales and rental dealership for the international brand, which has been operating for almost four decades. The opening of the dealership further underscores the resurging motoring sector in Ireland.

Hertz’s internationally recognised focus on high quality, value and personal focus on what each individual wants is to the fore at Hertz Car Sales, Phibsborough, with general manager Richard Tilson stressing the quality on offer in the dealership’s extensive fleet.

29 September 2016 GAZETTE 13

ASDFSDAF P27 CINEMA P24

STYLE P18

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

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GAZETTE

DIARY P15

THIS GUY IS SURE TO MAKE A BIG IMPRESSION

THE Gazette has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs.

Our dog of the week is Guy, a gorgeous fiveyear-old, playful male Pit Bull cross.

He just loves to get wrapped up in his duvet and can often be seen in all sorts of hilarious positions in his kennel.

Guy is quite an agile young dog so would love a home with a warm, cosy bed inside and a fully secure garden.

He is really clever and already knows lots of commands that his dedicated carers have taught him.

Guy would love to live with older children of 16 years of age and over.

Please contact Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000 if you can give Guy the home he so deserves.

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/ dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_ IE.

Falun Dafa dancers, Mu Mu Cheng and Cora Zhang, helping to announce Ireland’s biggest holistic event – the Mind, Body, Spirit and Wellbeing Festival. Picture: Conor McCabe

WELLNESS: UPCOMING FESTIVAL EXPLORES MANY DIVERSE HEALTH OPTIONS

Fine-tune your body and soul FIND out how Feng Shui can help fix your finances and how you can use smell to change your mind for the better at the upcoming Mind, Body, Spirit and Wellness Festival, which runs at the RDS from October 29-31.

The festival celebrates its 21st birthday this year, with 75 life-enhancing talks from top Irish and international experts in the fields of positive psychology and self-help lined up, along with exhibits by more than 150 complementary and healing practitioners.

Leading US Feng Shui expert Amanda Collins, whose clients include Bloomingdales and Dreamworks film studios, will talk about setting up your home to find financial freedom.

Aromatherapist Sinead Duffy will talk about how we can tap into the amazing action of smell on the unconscious mind. She said: “Smell is the only sense that has a direct connection to our subconscious and we can use that connection to set intentions on what we want to change or manifest in our lives. Fragrance works like pure magic.”

Top New York personal trainer Kaman Ryan will focus on Animal Flow, the latest exercise trend from the US. Psychologist Michaela Avlund, the author of Happiness Skills, will discuss how increased joy and well-being is within everyone’s reach, while nutritional therapist Ola Mazurkiewicz will be giving diet tips to tackle any personal

energy crisis you may have.

Free yoga taster sessions are also being provided at this year’s festival, with 20-minute to one-hour classes available three times a day in a variety of disciplines including laughter yoga, soulful yoga, yin yoga and animal flow yoga.

Festival organiser Louis O’Sullivan said: “The amazing spectrum of holistic and complementary practitioners at Mind Body Spirit makes for a truly stimulating, vibrant and potentially lifechanging experience.

“People will leave the festival with a smile on their face, having enjoyed eyeopening new experiences and meaningful engagement with people and ideas that can benefit them.”

The festival also provides the chance to sample a truly diverse spectrum of holistic therapies.

With over 150 stands, visitors can explore everything from angels and aromatherapy to reiki and reflexology, with sound therapy, massage, meditation, mindfulness, bio-energy healing, crystals, chakra tools, Tibetan bowls and yoga therapy there to be discovered.

The live stage will be buzzing with free entertainment as a lively mix of 45 performances will take place over the three-day event, including music, dance, drumming and yoga demonstrations.

Tickets for the Mind, Body, Spirit and Yoga festival at the RDS cost €15, with free admission for children.

GAZETTE

14 GAZETTE 29 September 2016

DUBLINLIFE

DIARY

Bright sparks sought for competition IRELAND’S largest schools competition for energy awareness is officially open for entries.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland is calling on primary and post primary students to enter One Good Idea competition.

Now in its ninth year, the aim of the One Good Idea is to increase students’ understanding of energy efficiency and climate change by encouraging them to take individual and collective responsibility for tackling these important issues.

Contestants must come up with creative ideas for an energy awareness campaign to change behaviour and improve energy efficien-

cy in their homes, schools and communities.

Open to primary and post primary school students, participants have the chance to win prizes for themselves and their schools.

Entry can be made viaw w w.seai.ie/onegoodidea and the best projects will be showcased at the national finals in Croke Park on the May 16, 2017. Closing date for entries is November 11.

AN IRISH VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY IMRAM – the Irish Language Literature Festival – is set to take place this October.

The festival features an original line up of litera-

ture, music, theatre, poetry, readings, talks, discussions and workshops.

‘Imram’ means a ‘voyage of discovery’ and the organisers’ goal is to invite our audiences on board for another exciting festival that reveals the strength and diversity of modern literature in Irish.

One of the highlights this year is tipped to be the flagship show, Realtnach/Starman, with David Bowie’s lyrics rendered into Irish by poet Gabriel Rosenstock.

O t h e r ke y s h ow s include multi-media shows fusing poetry, music and visuals based on work by major poets such as Caitlin Maude and Eoghan O Tuairisc;

not to mention Game of Thrones in Irish, featuring medieval music performed by Caitriona O’Leary.

Visit imram.ie for full programme and ticket details.

some of the best DJs and parties in the world.

2016 is Sound Atlas’ biggest year to date as it collaborates with DJs all around the world to

bring the most exciting and thriving music scenes to the pubs, clubs and festival fields of Irish music lovers.

Following on from

Paris, Amsterdam is the second global scene on the Sound Atlas radar for this year.

Tickets are available from heinekenmusic.ie

GET SET FOR SOUNDS OF AMSTERDAM AF TER stealing the show at Electric Picnic, Heineken Sound Atlas is bringing the sounds of Amsterdam to Opium Rooms tonight (Thursday, September 29).

Dutch DJ Boris Werner will bring his crowdpleasing house music to Dublin partygoers.

Known for its canals, picture-perfect bridges and windmills, Amsterdam is also home to

At the lauch were Rachel O’Connor, Lilly Nowak, Liam Og O’Connor, Dara McElligott, Ellie O’Connor, Aine Foley. Picture: Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography

29 September 2016 GAZETTE 15

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R1

HEALTH | WE FOLLOW UP ON MANY PARENTS’S CONCERNS ABOUT THE CONTROVERSIAL HPV VACCINE THAT’S BEING GIVEN TO GIRLS AROUND THE COUNTRY CASE STUDY | AMY WARD, PORTMARNOCK

The girl in limbo as her health worsens

Caught off guard

IN Part One of our Gardasil coverage, one mother tells us about her daughter’s health problems after she got the HPV vaccination. We also speak to the HSE for another view of the vaccine, with their experts saying any side effects are coincidental.  EMMA NOLAN SOME 400 young Irish girls have developed serious health problems that they say occurred after receiving the HPV vaccine, Gardasil, in school.

Gardasil is the HPV vaccine to protect against cervical cancer, used in the HSE Schools Immunisation Programme in Ireland since May, 2010. It is understood to have been administered to more than 600,000 girls in Ireland, to date.

A support group, Reactions and Effects of Gardasil Resulting in Extreme Trauma (REGRET), has been set up to get help for the girls, many of whom have been unable to attend school due to the side effects they say they have experienced since the vaccine.

REGRET spokesperson Anna Cannon, whose own daughter has been chronically ill since receiving the vaccine, spoke to The Gazette about the issue, which the group says has “destroyed the lives” of hundreds of young girls in Ireland.

She said: “These chronically ill girls, already in a vulnerable age bracket, are now being confined to their bedrooms, unable to play sports, or be normal teenagers.

“They are not being cared for [by the State], instead they are being referred to as ‘coincidences’ and ‘psychosomatic’ by the Minister for Health and the HSE. Worried

“Parents are getting increasingly worried for their daughters, with many on suicide watch. Several girls have been diagnosed with early menopause, on top of a long range of painful and chronic symptoms. Many of the girls have daily seizures up to six times per day.

“It is only a matter of time before someone loses their life.”

Anna said that the girls have all been examined but have not received any conclusive diagnosis. Their conditions largely consist of extreme chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, seizures, dizzy spells, nausea and muscle spasms.

The symptoms are so severe that many of the girls have had to drop out of school and have been unable to sit

their Junior and Leaving Cert exams recognition for their shared situation a detailed review at an EU level to drome every year.”

Dr Connolly says that he thinks as a result. which has been dismissed by health clarify aspects of the safety profile of Several girls represented by officials who say that their girls’ symp- HPV vaccines, following reports of that “this condition has been out symptoms in young women who had there long before the vaccine was REGRET have been diagnosed with toms are psychological. received HPV vaccines. ovarian failure, on top of a range of introduced”, and that it is “exceedA spokesperson from the HPRA ingly unlikely that there is any causal painful and chronic daily symptoms Stigma The parents of these girls have also told The Gazette that the review ulti- connection” between the girls’ condiincluding severe daily headaches, seizures, neurological symptoms, chest had to compete with the stigma that mately found that the “benefits of tions and Gardasil. pain, paralyses, an onset of auto- has been placed on them, as some HPV vaccines ... outweigh their risks”.

In response to the concerns raised, immune conditions, muscle weak- have been belittled for speaking out Dr Kevin Connolly, from the the HSE have said that they are creatness, joint and leg pain, heart prob- against vaccinations and being lik- National Immunisation Advisory ing a “care pathway” for the girls who lems, systemic inflammation, short- ened to the anti-vaccination move- Committee for the HSE, spoke on are experiencing side effects. ment in the US. Minister of State at the Departterm memory loss and pancreatitis. the TV3 documentary last December Anna said that health officials in Anna believes that in years to come, where he accredited the girls’ symp- ment of Health, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy said: “The HSE is currently Ireland have “adamantly denied” that Gardasil will be revealed as a huge toms to coincidence.

Speaking at the time, he said: “I’m developing a care pathway for young medical scandal, much like the birth Gardasil has caused the side effects.

The HSE issued a statement to The defects that occurred from the Tha- not disputing the fact that in these people who are experiencing these Gazette which says that “an illness lidomide drug for morning sickness girls the symptoms came on after types of symptoms and will be in a they got the vaccine, but we expect in position to facilitate access to specialthat occurs around the time a vac- in the 1950s. cine is given and is already known to In 2015, the Health Products Regu- Ireland that there will be 600 people ist services tailored to the needs of be common in adolescence does not latory Authority (HPRA) carried out who develop Chronic Fatigue Syn- each individual.” imply the vaccine caused the problem”.

“As there is no scientific evidence that the vaccine causes longnormal, and skin information to parents.” term illnesses, the HPV A MAJOR issue which parents have infection at the Anna believes that the vaccine cannot be held continually raised in their attempt to get injection site”.

HSE are withholding responsible for these ill- answers for their daughters surrounds Pharmaceuthe full extent the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) that nesses.” tical company of the possible There has been con- was distributed to schools by the HSE, Merck, which side effects from troversy surrounding along with the consent form. manufactures parents.

The HSE PIL outlines some “mild” side the Gardasil vaccine the vaccine, She said: “Parfollowing a documentary effects, with pain, redness or swelling also states ents are shocked which aired on TV3 in in the arm where the vaccine was given, additional side to learn that the December, 2015. A spate headache, dizziness, nausea and mild effects that information pack of articles in national fever listed. A link to the HSE website are not listed they received from newspapers have been where more side effects are listed is also in the HSE PIL. HSE, including five published, outlining the contained on the PIL. possible, mild ‘on the The additional information provided experiences of individual day’ side effects, did on the website states that “rarer side HSE girls and their families. not include the manuFollowing approxi- effects include an itchy rash or hives. Like Statement facturer’s PIL risk The HSE mately 2,000 reported most vaccines, severe allergic reactions information with more issued a statecases of severe side are extremely rare”. It also notes that than 25 side effects. ment to The Gazette effects from Gardasil in fainting can occur.

Why is this still being However, Sanofi Pasture, which diswhich stated: “There are no known Japan, the country’s offiwithheld from Irish parents? long-term side effects to the vaccine cials withdrew it from the tributes the vaccine in Ireland, have their “To date, no investigation has been Gardasil.” market in 2013. In Den- own Gardasil PIL which lists a much more made into a possible connection between Anna Cannon, of REGRET support mark, a documentary comprehensive list of side effects. the 400 girls [who are] mirroring sympThe Sanofi PIL states that side effects group, provided a letter which was sent was broadcast in March, toms outlined in the manufacturer’s PIL.”

by Dr Kevin Kelleher (assistant national 2015, entitled The Vac- that have been reported during general The statement from the HSE said that cinated Girls – Sick and use include “swollen glands (neck, armpit, director of health and wellbeing - Public their PIL was “approved by the National or groin); muscle weakness, abnormal Health & Child Health, HSE) to school Betrayed.

Adult Literacy Agency so that it can be principals in January, 2016, which outThe Gazette spoke sensations, tingling in the arms, legs and easily understood by all”. lines the school vaccination programme to a number of Dublin upper body, or confusion (Guillain-Barre They continue to recommend the vacfor 2015/2016 and 2016/2017. mothers who say that Syndrome, acute disseminated encephacine to all parents to “make sure their The letter states: “Please only distheir daughters’ lives lomyelitis); dizziness, vomiting, joint pain, daughters get the lifesaving HPV vaccine tribute these HSE information materials have been ruined since aching muscles, unusual tiredness or to protect them from developing cervical about the vaccination programme and do they received the vaccine weakness, chills, generally feeling unwell, cancer in the future”. not forward any other non HSE vaccine and their struggle to gain bleeding or bruising more easily than

AMY Ward received the Gardasil vaccine in September, 2013, and by November she was experiencing fainting, blackouts, seizures and vision loss.

“It was horrendous,” said Amy’s mum, Audrey, who told The Gazette that her daughter has not been the same since and was unable to sit her Junior Cert in June, having missed all of third year due to her painful symptoms.

Amy spent two weeks in hospital coming up to Christmas that year, where she was put on anti-depressants.

Audrey said: “Amy doesn’t remember Christmas that year. They were [doctors] saying, ‘Ah, it’s all in her head, it’s a teenage thing, she’s making it up,’ but it’s over 400 girls suffering, and they’re saying it’s all in their heads?

“That was said to us in the hospital, and we were absolutely livid. That’s bulls***.”

WHAT THE SCHOOL LEAFLET SAYS

Amy Ward at the family home in Portmarnock, under the watchful gaze of her brother, Jack (8), and her mother, Audrey. She talked extensively to The Gazette about Amy’s medical problems, which she attributes directly to the Gardasil vaccine.

Picture: Alison O’Hanlon

IN PART TWO NEXT WEEK: We hear from an expert on why the vaccine is necessary

Symptoms The 15-year-old still suffers from non-epileptic seizures, twitches, chest pains, muscle weakness, shortness of breath, memory loss, periods that last up to 12 days at a time, headaches and blackouts on a regular basis. Numerous tests, including blood tests and MRSIs for these symptoms, have all come back clear.

Audrey added: “She could black out anywhere – she’s banged her head off the fireplace and the bathroom sink that often that it’s just ridiculous.”

She said Amy’s tiredness is “unbelievable”, but that her headaches are the worst.

“The headache is constantly there; it never goes but it gets worse. There are days when she is literally banging her head off the wall.”

With Amy having been referred to a psychologist, Audrey said she was shocked when the doctor immediately prescribed her anti-depressants again.

She said: “He wanted to put her on them without checking anything. He didn’t check her weight, her blood pressure or anything – he just said, ‘Take this prescription’, which I refused.”

The strain on Amy and her family is

clear as the financial toll on Amy’s medical needs do not come cheap, yet they feel they are being “fobbed off” every time they go into hospital.

Audrey said: “We’re in limbo; we reached out to Leo Varadkar when he was Minister for Health and he refused to see us.

“James Reilly [former Minister for Health] knocked on the door campaigning and he nearly had a heart attack when I started going on at him, and he wouldn’t talk to me.

“He’s a doctor by trade and I asked him if it was his daughter, ‘Would you get the vaccine for her’, and he wouldn’t answer me, so that says it all, really.”

Amy is mainly confined to the house and only ever leaves with her parents.

Audrey said: “She’s 15 – she should be out doing things that she shouldn’t be doing, not bedridden.”

She said that she has been accused of being an “anti-vax conspiracist” for blaming Gardasil for Amy’s illness, but she signed the consent form for Amy to receive the vaccine.

“My children have had all their vaccines, so we’re not anti-vaccination.”

Audrey now has a great distrust for pharmaceutical companies who she says “only care about money”.

‘The headache is constantly there, it never goes but it gets worse. There are days when she is literally banging her head off the wall.’

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DUBLINLIFE

BEAUTYbits

3 2 Javier Simorra B&W jacket €329

A new Ribbon Rouge at Merrion Centre FOLLOWING a successful 10 years in business in Navan, owner of Ribbon Rouge boutique has just opened a new store in the Merrion Centre.

Joanne Mallon’s store is going from strength to strength in their new home, with their selection of casual, work and party wear for the “fashion conscious career female to the apprehensive mother of the bride”.

Autumn collections have arrived in store. Pop into Ribbon Rouge in the Merrion Centre in Dublin 4 to see what’s in stock.

1

GET THE

LOOK 

RECREATE some of the autumn winter beauty looks from the runways with Inglot.

Okycoky black and rust jersey dresses €255

1. THE DARK LIP Perfect for this time of year, decadently dark shades to enhance any skin tone. Get the look with Inglot AMC Lipliner in shade 33 €13 and Inglot HD Lip Tints in shade 20 €22.

2. THE GRAPHIC EYE Not an easy one to master, the Graphic Eye trend is a bold



evolution of the humble feline flick. Get the look with smudge proof Inglot gel liner in shade 77 €15, and team with the Duraline eyeliner €12 to streamline those edges.

3. EMBELLISHED ACCENTS Get creative with embellished accents of glitters and pigments ala Gigi and Kendall. Work outside the natural boundaries of the eye and get the look with Inglot’s body sparkles €15 and Stardust pigments €16 – great for pairing with a smoky eye.

1

29 September 2016 GAZETTE 19

JOANNA

HYNES

STYLE

Renowned fashion designer Joanne Hynes shows off her first collection for Dunnes Stores. Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland

UNVEILED

Pictures: Amy Gwatkin

 EMMA NOLAN Style Editor

RENOWNED Irish fashion designer Joanne Hynes has just launched her first collection for Dunnes Stores.

The exclusive collection includes over 100 pieces, which have all been delicately crafted in the modern design style that Hynes is known for.

It will be limited to just six Dunnes across the country and online at dunnesstores.com.

Speaking on the collection, Joanne said that she grew up wearing clothes from Dunnes.

“Good fashion design feeds off memories and experiences. As a child we were raised wearing Dunnes Stores - what else!

“Dunnes is going through a major transformation currently, embracing newness and innovation so it is perfect timing for me as a designer to be welcomed into the company and to be given the autonomy to bring the quintessential Joanne Hynes look and DNA to the store and to the customer.

“This is a true Joanne Hynes collection, and I am immensely proud of it.”

Inherent to the collection is the signature clashing of elements, such as structured neoprenes in strong blocked colours with pops of antique moss yellow; a nylon bomber jacket and a studded sleeve parka, all receiving the Joanne Hynes treatment in oversized shapes with perspex and crystal embellishments.

Structured, well cut skirts and dresses take inspiration from the mod era of dressing. A navy gathered velvet bomber with a regal high neck will be a key l piece for September; alongside a reversible muddy pink shearling coat with a star applique design on each elbow.

Leather and crystal rabbit neckpieces have been developed into limited edition accessories, including a new take on the celebrated Joanne Hynes crystal collar with matching hairbands in embellished leather and velvets.

Joanne Hynes at Dunnes Stores will be available to buy in the following Dunnes Stores – Grafton Street, Stephen’s Green, Cornelscourt, Liffey Valley, Patrick Street, Eyre Square and online.

GAZETTE

20 GAZETTE 29 September 2016

DUBLINLIFE

BACK TO school

WINNER

WINNER

€50

€50

M&S voucher

Pennys voucher

Little Bella wishes her big brother Tadgh good

WINNER

€50

M&S voucher

Super sisters Tina and Emma Zhang settle in to St Catheri ne’s, Cabra

Kate’s as proud as punch that her little sister Lucy is

luck as he heads off to start Second Class at

joining her in St Sylvester’s NS, Malahide

the Divine Word, Rathfarnham

Thanks to everyone for entering!

WE HAD a terrific response to our Back to School

which really made us smile! We’ve chosen our win-

photo competition, with lots (and lots) of our read-

ners and are sharing their fantastic pictures above.

ers only too happy to share some precious memo-

The prizes include a €150 gift card for Life Style

ries of their children, grandchildren, nieces and

Sports, €50 vouchers for M&S, Penneys and Dealz,

nephews on their very first day at school, or their

a hamper from Flying Tiger, every kid’s favourite

first day back at school after summer.

variety store, AND a €100 voucher for the Base –

They’re all winners, in our eyes – sadly, we can’t

Ireland’s Number 1 entertainment centre. And don’t

give prizes to everyone, but we’re delighted to share

forget Life Style sports for your year-round school

some of the many wonderful photos you sent in,

essentials!

IN ASSOCIATION WITH:

29 September 2016 GAZETTE 21

GAZETTE

winners WINNER

€150

Life Style Sports Voucher

WINNER WINNER

€50

€50

Dealz voucher

Pennys voucher Learning is exciting for Mason Anderson at St Lorcan’s BNS, Palmerstown

Little Leo Byrne is ready for anything school

The Kildee-Doolans troop out ... Siofra, Loreto College, Crumlin Road; Paddy, Central Model Senior School, and Ciaran and Fiach, both Central Model Infants’ School

life throws at him in St Helens, Portmarnock

WINNER Flying Tiger hamper

WINNER

€100

Base voucher

Audrey Buttner sent in this great pic of her three children. She said they had a great summer and were delighted to be heading back to school...”or at least one of them was”!

Kai O’Neill is a bit upset that big brothers Rhys and Ethan are going off to Eiscir Riada , and Colaiste Cois Life

GAZETTE

22 FINGAL GAZETTE 29 September 2016

DUBLINLIFE

TasdVEL FEATURE TRAVEL

Savvy student saving tips GOING to college is exciting. With so many new costs and financial products to consider it can however be hard to manage your cash.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has some helpful hints to get you started.

Don’t be dazzled by freebies when choosing a current account.

What you really need to look at are the fees and charges.

Mo s t b a n k s o f f e r fee-free banking to students, but this doesn’t cover overdraft or late payment fees, which can be expensive.

Save on interest by comparing student current accounts, credit cards and loans using the student financial product comparisons

Don’t be tempted to eat out all the time

on the Competition and Consumer Protection’s consumer website www. consumerhelp.ie Using a budget means you are in control of your money.

List your income and expenses - income could be money from a student loan or grant,

savings you built up if you were working during the summer or your parents may be giving you a regular allowance to meet your day-to-day expenses.

For expenses include items that you spend your money on.

If you are living away from home, you will have additional expenses such as rent, food, heating and electricity to think about.

Check out the spending calculator on www.

consumerhelp.ie to keep track of what you your spending.

Watch out for rental property scams.

One of the most common ones is where the scammer copies listings of actual available rentals and re-advertises them with their own email or phone number.

Often they will refuse to show you the house, but may send you photos and fake documents or keys in the hope of

getting you to pay rent or a deposit.

Often the victims do not realise they have been scammed until they show up at “their” property to find someone else living in it.

If you come across a scam If you have transferred money online and think you have been scammed, the first thing you should do is to contact your bank or credit card company, as they might be able to help by cancelling your credit or debit card or stopping a transaction from going through your account.

You should then contact your local Garda station immediately.

Look for student discounts Many shops offer discounts for students with a valid student card, so it’s worth asking.

Check with any service provider that you use if they have any offers available to students.

Tr y to buy online, you’ll often find better deals on clothes, music, books etc.

Sign up to group discounts sites for deals on everything from meals to hairdressing.

Don’t be tempted to eat out all the time Even if your college canteen is subsidised, you could end up overspending on food.

Bringing in a packed lunch or simply bringing in your own tea and coffee can help you cut back on unnecessary costs. Have a look on safefood.ie for some interesting recipes that you can use for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Save on your utility bills Make sure you’re getting the best deal for TV, internet and phone contracts. Comparing options with different companies can take a bit of effort, but can pay off big time! Don’t be afraid to switch and pay your bills on time to avoid penalties or late fees.

The CCPC is responsible for enforcing competition and consumer protection laws across the economy.

To h e l p c o n s u m e r s m a ke i n f o r m e d decisions it also gives independent, unbiased information about consumer rights and personal finance products and ser vice through its consumer helpline 1890 432 432 and on www.consumerhelp.ie

GAZETTE

29 September 2016 FINGAL GAZETTE 23

DUBLINLIFE

Some old favorites back on the menu

FOOD TRAVEL

Cafe set for a tasty new Leeson Street lunch spot

FAVORITE amongst many Dubliners, Milano, is bringing some of its old classics back to the menu.

Their new seasonal specials, inspired by old favorites are currently available to order.

Returning this autumn due to customer demand, the Rustichella Romana is a Milano favorite, featuring pancetta, mozzarella and tomato finished with rocket, shaved Gran Milano cheese, roasted tomatoes and Caesar dressing.

Another Milano classic which customers have begged to be returned to the menu is the vegetarian Al Forno Cannelloni.

Soft pasta is freshly filled with spinach and ricotta, baked with passata, bechamel, mozzarella, garlic oil and Gran Milano cheese.

Juices are fresh and unpasteurised

HEALTHY eating cafe, Alchemy Juice Co, is opening a second bistro in Dublin to the delight of fans of their signature juices and salads.

“Eat Better, Feel Better, Be Better” is a mantra Alchemy Juice Co lives by and now they have made it even easier for people to follow as they open their second location on Dublin’s Lesson Street this September.

Many know it as the oasis of calm at BT2 on Grafton Street, and the juice company will remain there until January 2017, and come the new year their company’s main focus will be their Lesson Street location.

Co-owners Domini and Peaches Kemp said they are continuing on their “nutritional road of discovery” with the new cafe.

“New menus, new ideas and new information will be incorporated into everything we do, so that our food, juices and smoothies are up to the minute,” they said.

“We hope you will enjoy this journey of great nutrition with us.

“We are not on a crusade, but rather trying to offer something for those who want more from their food.”

Leeson Street once conjured up images of late nights, club scenes and debauchery, but with Alchemy Juice Co in residence it will shape a new generation of health-conscious Dubliners, with their small batches of fresh, raw, unpasteurised juices that are packed with big flavour and essential nutrients.

Penne with tomatoes, chorizo and cream Ingredients l 450g/1lb penne pasta l 25g/1oz butter l 1 tsp finely chopped rosemary l 700g/1½ lb fresh ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded and diced l salt and freshly ground pepper l sugar, pinch of l 175-225g/6-8oz chorizo or kabanossi sausage l pinch crushed chilies l 125-175ml/4-6 fl oz cream l 3 tbsp finely chopped flatleaf parsley l 4 tbsp freshly grated parmesan Preparation Melt the butter in a sauce pan, add chopped rosemary and diced tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper and sugar. Cook until the tomatoes have just begun to soften into a sauce, which takes about five minutes. Slice the sausage into 5mm rounds and add to the pan with the crushed chilies. Add the cream and two tablespoons of chopped flatleaf parsley, and allow to bubble for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until the cream has reduced by half. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside. Cook the pasta until it is ‘al dente’, drain and stir into the sauce with the grated parmesan. Sprinkle with parsley, and serve.

Beef Crack Kale Salad

KALE CRACK SALAD

Canned craft beer should go down Well GOOD news for craft beer fans who can now enjoy the range of Franciscan Well Craft Beer in cans.

The Irish Craft brewer is well known for its Rebel Red red ale. Other favorites include the Friar Weisse Chieftain IPA and they are now available in a 330ml can for the first time in retailers and offlicences across Ireland, with selected bars also stocking the products.

Company founder Shane Long (not the footballer) said that the move to cans is an “excitement development” for the brand.

“Taste and quality are among our

core beliefs and we always prioritise ways to ensure that these core traits are present in the beer we create.

“The decision to move to a canned format reflects the growing trend internationally, whereby more and more craft beers are sold in 330ml can format.

“This is something that has been prevalent in the US and has proven extremely popular. We are confident this will be the case as we roll out craft in a can for beer-lovers here in Ireland.”

The can range is now available in offlicences and stores nationwide.

GAZETTE

24 FINGAL GAZETTE 29 September 2016

DUBLINLIFE

CINEMA ReelReviews

BLAIR WITCH

A return to terror IF YOU go down to the woods today – and you’re the sister of a missing film maker – you’re in for a big surprise in Blair Witch (Cert 16, 89mins), the unexpected canon sequel to the cult film. Ignoring Blair Witch’s truly terrible sequel, this decent film picks up the first film’s story some time later, as a group set off to discover the truth behind the legend – things go horribly wrong ...

The children can’t wait to meet you ... The ‘peculiar’ characters at the heart of the film, which unfortunately is another kookily-mediocre film from director Tim Burton

MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN: IT’S NOT AS GOOD AS THE TITLE

Gothic tale is rather lifeless

ATTEMPTING to capture some of the twisted magic that once served him so well, Tim Burton revisits familiar territory with Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (Cert 12A, 127 mins).

Unfortunately, while this outsider tale is full of the director’s trademark gothic quirk, it is devoid of the life that characterised his early classics.

Opening in a kind of pristine beachside community that does indeed the evoke the postcard suburbia of Edward Scissorhands, Ms Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is the story of socially inept teen, Jake (Asa Butterfield).

When his grandfather, Abe (Terence Stamp), dies he leaves Jake clues to the existence of a magical place – the titular

 MARTIN MACNAMARA

school.

Here, “peculiar” children with amazing powers, looked after by Ms Peregrine (Eva Green), relive the same day in 1943 over and over again as a way of hiding from their terrifying enemies.

As he grows more attached to “the peculiars”, Jake learns that he too may have a special power with which to protect them.

Based on the book of the same name by Ransom Riggs, Ms Peregrine’s School for Peculiar Children is often a wonder to look at.

The character design is typical Burton, but after some of the director’s blander recent work, it’s an admittedly welcome return to the weird.

The creature design, more twisted in parts than anything the director has done, is often genuinely creepy.

Our first glimpse of the supernatural evil that threatens the children is surprisingly unnerving and there’re some unexpected moments of nasty horror that really make one question its 12A rating.

Accordingly, it makes you wonder who this film is really for. Ms Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will be a little too disturbing for kids, yet does little to engage older audiences.

While there’s plenty on show here to enter-

tain the more gothicallyinclined teens, Burton relies too heavily on a fantastical but convoluted set-up and fails to develop a compelling narrative.

The story is certainly fascinating in its early stages as we explore the world of these peculiar children, but as Ms Peregrine’s villainous elements are introduced, it gets hard to maintain interest.

While the theme and aesthetic is a perfect fit for Burton, the narrative itself certainly isn’t.

Showcasing a team of gifted children fighting evil forces, this

is essentially a superhero story (and Burton’s Batmans were never particularly good to begin with).

Unfor tunately, the heroes here are given very little time to show off just how “super” they are: the film falls flat in its climactic battle, hampered by an overabundance of lifeless CGI. This is lamentable, given the brief appearance of some delightfully creepy stop-motion effects earlier in the film.

As noted, the film is lovely to look at. When

not relying on CGI, this is Burton where he’s most comfortable, creating worlds of gothic wonder for social outsiders to inhabit.

Livened up with an endearingly oddball performance from Eva Green, and an often bewitching bit of worldbuilding, Ms Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is best in its opening acts.

Unfortunately, this early promise is let down by a predictable plot and a third-act overstuffed with lifeless action.

Though there is plenty of his trademark visual charm, this isn’t the return to form that many

As ever, Eva Green is a magnetic presence on screen – yet the film fails to make the most of her singularly gothic presence

BRIDGET JONES 3

Three-quel is years late COMING along years after the previous film, Bridget Jones’s Baby (Cert 15A, 123mins) falls a bit flat.

Now in her 40s, a pregnant Bridget (Renee Zellweger) isn’t exactly sure who the father is, but with a couple of choices she’s determined to work it out.

With a plot and music score that’s about as subtle as a sledgehammer, it’s a likeable film, but just not quite classic Bridget.

HELL OR HIGH WATER Shot with plenty of style

TAKING a great shot at the modern western genre, Hell or High Water (Cert 15A, 102 mins) takes viewers deep into America’s sleepy heartlands, where a pair of serial bank robbers (Chris Pine, Ben Foster) try to stay ahead of two rangers (Jeff Bridges, Gil Birmingham) doggedly staying on their trail. This slow moving but impressive character-driven film is well worth catching.

29 September 2016 FINGAL GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

TECH

Illustration: Shane Dillon

As the driven founder of an underwater city where things went terribly, terribly wrong, Andrew Ryan has an unforgettable presence throughout Bioshock

 SHANE DILLON

Tech Editor

NINTENDO has finally upped its game. Although the gaming titan has been desperately slow to react to how people game today, it has finally stirred – and created quite a stir, with the recent news of the upcoming IOS release (in December) of Super Mario Run. Yes, that’s right – Mario and pals are coming to mobile phones, with Nintendo making a big foray into comtemporary gaming by bringing out the big guns – or Italian plumbers – to fire a volley in the never-ending battle for consumers’ loyalty (and their revenue streams).

It’s a move that analysts and market watchers were waiting on for quite some time – the day that Nintendo stepped into battle on a gaming front that it has largely ignored.

This move to mobile gaming on a platform that doesn’t use Nintendo’s own hardware marks a seismic change for the company, as it finally adapts to modern gaming trends.

After all, while the company has had enviable financial and cultural success with one handheld device after another down the years, the rise and rise of mobile gaming via phones (and to a lesser degree, tablets) was something that has almost completely

bypassed it.

Instead, Nintendo has largely concentrated on pushing its own hardware – but while its Wii U console still has a strong base in Japan, its fortunes have waned significantly in Western markets.

Nintendo’s console is almost staring into obsolesence, while the company’s old rivals, Sony and Microsoft, have long since moved ahead in the console wars.

From what has been revealed so far, Super Mario Run looks like a decent addition to the “infinirunner” genre – players run along unlocking power-ups to race ever further, and generating higher scores, with various ways to monetise

their gameplay.

In a sense, it was almost irrelevant what game Nintendo promoted as such an exploratory launch title – sorry, Mario – as it’s of much greater interest that Nintendo now seem to have committed to mobile gaming than the fact everyone’s favourite plumber should soon be running across a hundred million phones, or whatever.

Given Nintendo’s vast library of franchises and characters to draw upon, and a dizzying range of titles to repurpose for the mobile gaming sector, this significant move could soon see Nintendo jumping into lucrative new fields very soon indeed ...

Old favourites can still be a Bioshock to the system  SHANE DILLON

JUST as it didn’t take too long for film studios and directors to realise that digitally restored or polished versions of films were a sure-fire way to make some money – oh, and to reach new audiences, of course – the same “HD polish” outlook has really taken off over the past 18 months in gaming.

And, when it comes to a masterpiece getting a new lease of life, they don’t come much bigger – or more critically acclaimed – than Bioshock (Cert 18; c. €50); re-released for PC, PS4, XBO as the opening game in Bioshock: The Collection.

First released in 2007, Bioshock was a genre-busting first-person-shooter set in one of gaming’s most startlingly realised worlds: Rapture, an opulent, abandoned, flooding city deep under the sea, now home to a range of monsters of the literal and human kind.

Drawing on all kinds of classic and thoughtful literary works, Bioshock presented a world which, then as now, is unique; a place dripping in atmosphere as much as in seawater and symbolism, with critics lauding its gorgeous Art Deco stylings, and memorable plot, while admiring its marriage of standard run-n-gun mechanics with unusual in-game powers.

With such a seminal, influential title under its soggy belt, the developers went As a character at the heart of much of the story in Bioshock Infinite, Elizabeth Comstock has a courageous streak that sets her apart from

Super Mario Run isn’t even out yet, but its December release marks a huge sea change in Nintendo’s philosophy

her 1912 peers

on to create an inevitable sequel – a slightly underwhelming Bioshock 2, which saw a return to Rapture’s fallen city. However, of much more note was what would prove to be a bold third title in the series: Bioshock Infinite.

Set in the early 20th Century, the player swapped the depths of the sea for the freedom of the skies as they explored a sun-kissed and spacious yet equally dangerous city: Columbia.

This fantastical, flying city was full to the brim of turn-of-the-century wonders – and horrors, too, drawing on then popular themes of racial tensions and superiority, eugenics, cultural separatism under a patriarchal demagogue’s watch, and other such unusual themes rarely explored in any game, or general contemporary media.

Ultimately, as the earliest title in the series, Bioshock has gained the most from this rerelease, with its graphics getting much more of an obvious boost and polish than its sequels. It also has plenty of behind-the-scenes information to uncover, with great care lavished on this truly landmark title.

So, would you kindly make your way over to Rapture, and explore this superb game again ...

26 FINGAL GAZETTE 29 September 2016

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28 FINGAL GAZETTE 29 September 2016

SPORT McGrath’s football education

FastSport

SOCCER: ST PAT’S MAN HAILS THIRD LEVEL COMPETITION IN AIDING HIS RISE

NINE DUBS ON U-21 SHORTLIST:

NINE Dubliners have been named on the shortlist for the 2016 Bord Gáis Energy Team of the Year following the Under-21 All-Ireland hurling championship.

Goalkeeper Jonathan Treacy, corner back James Madden, full back Eoghan O’Donnell, half-backs Cian MacGabhann and Shane Barrett, midfielder Jake Malone, half-forward Sean Treacy and fullforwards AJ Murphy and Chris Bennett were all on the shortlist for their respective positions.

Just two players who were named on the 2015 Team of the Year are again in contention to be honoured. Limerick’s Richie English who was named at full-back last year could retain his position. Galway’s Brian Molloy, who won an award last year at corner forward, is nominated for the centreforward berth.

Go to http://www. newstalk.com/BGE to nominate your favourites.

THIRD LEVEL LAUNCH  sport@dublingazette.com

A LARGE section of SSE Airtricity League talent are set to return to third level education at the start of the new 2016/17 season.

In fact, 86 players currently attached to SSE Airtricity League clubs in both the Premier and First Division, will return to their College and University sides for the start of a new campaign.

One of the outstanding talents in the league who are mixing top level football with further education is Jamie McGrath, who scored for St Patrick’s Athletic in the EA SPORTS Cup Final victory over Limerick last week, and he said it was

a great day for him.

The Pat’s man said of the occasion: “To win such a big trophy such as the EA SPORTS Cup and it was a great feeling to play in front of such a big crowd.

“I had a decent run last year in the first-term and I’d hoped to continue it this season. With a few injuries in the squad, it gave me a chance so I took it and it’s gone really well.

“We’ve got a few games in hand so we’ll be looking to catch that fourthplace and we’re also one game away from the Aviva Stadium in the FAI Cup which would be some experience.”

McGrath is on a scholarship programme between the SSE Airtric-

ity League club and Maynooth University where he can complete his further education.

The 20-year old believes the education and the scholarship programme offered in the SSE Airtricity League with Colleges and Universities is a huge plus for any player.

He continued: “I really enjoy playing college football so it’s really good to be back for a new season.

“A lot of young players go to England from Ireland but there isn’t sufficient education for those players. I think it’s important to get both done because if football doesn’t work out, you can fall back on your degree or vice-versa.

Representatives from the third level teams at the launch of the new season in Abbotstown this week. Picture: David Maher/Sportsfile

“It’s a great scholarship programme Maynooth University have with Pats and I’m very lucky to be on that.”

Another player who has performed well in the SSE Airtricity League this season is Jack Watson who plays for First Division side UCD. Enrolled at Dublin City University studying athletic therapy, Watson admits the balance of education and football has made these years the most enjoyable of his life.

Watson said: “Education is very important to me. I’m at DCU doing

athletic therapy so I’m involved in sports in that way as well as playing football.

“I know it will really help me going forward.

I’m on placement this year with the football team doing athletic therapy so it will help me see the other side of the game as well.

“Being involved with both has made these years the most enjoyable of my life so far and I think we’re lucky to be able to mix top level football with further education in this country.”

T hey were speak-

ing at the launch of the third level football season which will see 108 teams from 50 third level institutions compete across five divisions in the CUFL and three divisions in the WSCAI. Speaking at the launch, Mark Scanlon, FAI National Co-ordinator for Schools and Third Level football, said: “We’re looking forward to another great season with the quality increasing all the time. Last year, we had 2811 registered players in third level football across the various different divisions.”

Swords strike down Killester with thunderous force  sport@dublingazette.com

Swords Thunder’s Isaac Westbrooks on the attack.

Picture: Martin Doherty

PYROBEL Killester left themselves with too much to do against an impressive looking Griffith Swords Thunder losing out 91-86 at the IWA in Clontarf. Brian O’Malley’s side were 20 points in arrears at half time before storming back into the game to set up a frenetic final quarter.

Thunder eventually pulled through with some late freethrows and 14 points apiece from debutants Justin Goldsborough, Jose Maria and Charlie

Coombes.

Ireland International Lorcan Murphy scored 30 points as Templeogue beat DCU Saints in St Vincent’s and a last gasp three-pointer from Conor Johnson helped Belfast Star to a narrow win at home to UL Eagles.

UCD put up the biggest score of the weekend with 99 points away to Commercial.ie Eanna.

There was an even spread of scorers for the students to offset 20 points from Australian big man Nathaniel Musters for the hosts.

There were defeats for both

top tier newcomers as KUBS lost 89-73 at home to SSE Airtricity Moycullen in Mark Ingle’s first game as Head Coach while Irish TV Tralee Warriors couldn’t prevent UCC Demons from opening the defence of their title with a 92-77 win.

Demons debutant Jacob Lawson got his time at the club off to a high quality start with 23 points and Kyle Hosford shook off an injury to hit 17.

Kieran Donaghy scored 15 points on his return to Super League basketball and his Warriors Head Coach says they

learned a lot from the experience.

“We’ll be a lot better in about four or five games,” said Mark Bernsen.

“We weren’t as sharp mentally in the second half as we were in the first half and that’s something we have to work on.”

Kerry footballer Donaghy stayed on the floor until the 38th minute of action.

Dylan Cunningham was one of four Irish players to score 20 points or more this weekend in Moycullen’s come-back win at KUBS.

29 September 2016 FINGAL GAZETTE 29

GAZETTE

Rowe ghost-point row denies Dublin a replay

In front of a record crowd for a ladies football final, Greg McGonigle’s side were left to rue profligate shooting as well as a hugely contentious disallowed point for Carla Rowe ALL-IRELAND FINAL Cork 1-7 Dublin 1-6  JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

DUBLIN fell at the final hurdle for the third year running in the All Ireland ladies football senior championship on Sunday.

While Cork revel in an astonishing sixth consecutive victory and eleventh title in 12 years, the discussion around their victory centred almost entirely on a straightforward looking first half play.

In front of a ladies’ record crowd of 34,445 at Croke Park, Cork’s single point winning margin lent the game substantial controversy. In the 23rd minute, a Carla Rowe effort – that replays clearly show passed between the posts – was waved away as a wide.

Dublin, truthfully, need

to examine their worryingly inaccurate shooting over the course of the final – they hit over double as many wides as points – but a poor decision and the absence of HawkEye unquestionably robbed them of a key score and a potential replay.

No such drama was to punctuate the early stages. In chronic conditions, Lyndsey Davey conceded an early free in chasing back to enable Orla Finn to put Cork ahead.

Orlagh Farmer doubled the lead but not before Niamh McEvoy had dropped a decent chance short and into Cork keeper Martina O’Brien’s hands.

True to form, Cork built their game on defence, with numbers behind the ball. Sinead Aherne almost got on the end of a tempting through ball in front of the Cork goal, before Rowe got crowded

out six yards out as Dublin enjoyed a spell of possession.

Noelle Healy steadied the nerves as got Dublin on the scoreboard, with Finn quickly responding. McEvoy closed the gap to a single point, while Nicole Owens fired an effort from distance straight down O’Brien’s throat in a frantic but scrappy early encounter.

Then came the key moment. Rowe broke down the left and struck a point from close in that flew barely two metres over the Cork bar and between the sticks, only to see the umpires arms opened wide. Half-time replays around Croke Park left those in attendance in little doubt a point had been scored.

Still, the Dubs were increasingly in charge, and a mistake in the Cork defence offered Lauren Magee Dublin’s third serious glimpse at

Carla Rowe of Dublin has her shot blocked down by Marie Ambrose and Shauna Kelly.

Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

goal, the midfielder firing just wide of the left post.

Davey was soon to have them level, before McEvoy gave the Dubs their first lead with an angled point from a pacey break.

Dublin led 0-4 to 0-3 as the hooter sounded in a game heavily impacted by conditions, but – Rowe’s ghost point aside – really should have clocked up

a powerful Niamh Collins run came to nothing as Aherne was crowded out in a Dublin counter. Finn took control, almost passive in finding the space and accuracy to edge Cork two in front, and then three, and then four.

With the game going away from Dublin and only 10 minutes left on the clock, the capital

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

‘Fundamentally, I believe the Ladies Association have let us down’ - Greg McGonigle

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

more.

While only fractionally ahead in what was becoming a soggy war, Dublin’s late-half dominance might have led to slight disappointment in the sky blue camp with the improved second half conditions. Two early wides from Cork suggested a slight swing, but a McEvoy free after a foul on a breaking Aherne was to mark Dublin’s last lead.

Cork substitute Rhona Ni Bhuachalla hit back hard, clinically striking under Ciara Trant from close range in a crowded box to finish off a sharp rebels break, taking Cork 1-3 to 0-5 ahead, before McEvoy squared things up from a scrappy Dublin attack.

Cork, as has long been their habit, found form at the right time. Doireann O’Sullivan edged the Rebelettes in front, while

side’s composure briefly deserted them as a series of ambitious wides that wasted precious seconds.

Cork, meanwhile, played for possession, stifling the game in its critical moments with the grit that’s become their trademark.

With Dublin unable to make inroads, Aherne’s last-gasp penalty left the post-match verdict in doubt. Won in the dying seconds it hit the net with the hooter poised, and while Aherne struck firmly past O’Brien, the damage had been done.

Cork were crowned All Ireland champions, winning 1-7 to 1-6. While there’s no questioning the Rebelettes class, this particular win comes with a hefty asterisk alongside it that leaves a bitter taste in Dublin mouths: but for an error that’s genuinely hard to comprehend, the teams finished dead level.

FASTSport

Sinead Goldrick consoles Niam Collins

McGonigle fumes at HawkEye final fiasco DUBLIN manager Gregory McGonigle gave a fuming post-match verdict on the umpiring mistake that ultimately decided Sunday’s All Ireland football final, suggesting that ladies’ football isn’t being taken seriously enough.

A Carla Rowe point mistakenly signalled wide was the difference between Dublin and Cork as the Leesiders took their sixth consecutive ladies’ All Ireland by a margin of 1-7 to 1-6, and McGonigle laid the blame for the incorrect call firmly at the feet of the Ladies’ Football Association.

“We preach all year about having equality and standards. If this happened next Saturday [in the men’s final], we would be going to HawkEye,” McGonigle argued after the game.

“Fundamentally, I believe our ladies association have let us down,” he continued. “We just sort of talked about it inside there as a management. I think I saw something last year that it was too much money, and if that’s what it comes down to, I don’t think we’re definitely skint.

“Put it on the flipside. 45 or maybe 60 officials spent a week in San Diego in the earlier part of the year. What do you think would be more important?

“We were shocked,” he explained. “I actually shouted onto the field for [full forward] Lyndsey Davey to challenge [referee] Brendan Rice, and he came over and it was more or less ‘no’.

“Then we challenged it at half-time when we were going in the tunnel to go to it and more or less what we got from our association was a shrug of the shoulders.”

As a separate body to the GAA, the Ladies’ Gaelic Football Association made a decision earlier this year not to use HawkEye. Since the game, they’ve cited the system’s absence at other venues as a reason for not adopting the system at Croke Park and denied that a cost factor in adapting the system to the smaller ladies’ ball was key to the decision.

Dublin have since put out a statement congratulating Cork and made it clear they don’t intend to appeal the result, but urged the LGFA to ensure that such a scenario cannot arise again.

GAZETTE

30 FINGAL GAZETTE 29 September 2016

SPORT

FASTSport

McMullen leads Irish charge at Home Nations THE ISLAND GC’s Gertie McMullen is part of the Irish senior women’s team that will play in the Home International matches will take place at Alyth Golf Club, Scotland this week as they bid to retain their title.

They enter the matches as Senior European Team Champions and will have recent Irish Senior Open Stroke Play champion McMullen and 2016 British Senior Amateur Open Champion Laura Webb (East Berkshire) within their ranks.

Given the recent form of the team and of its players, Ireland are still not guaranteed to take home the prize after three days of competition at Alyth. England, who are European Team Championship semi-finalists and Home International Champions for the past three years, will not be allowing their title to travel across the Irish Sea that easily, setting the stage for a tough battle when the two sides meet on day one of the International Matches.

Meanwhile, Scotland, with home advantage, and Wales be determined to improve on their third and fourth place finishes in last year’s matches at Elm Park Golf Club.

A combination of new blood and experience forms this year’s Irish Senior Home International Team.

Suzanne Corcoran (Portumna), Sheena McElroy (Grange) and Carol Wickham (Laytown and Bettystown) add to the knowledge and expertise from previous matches to the team room.

Rookies Maria O’Reilly (Headfort) and Mary Sheehy (Tralee) will be hoping to emulate the determination that secured them a place on the team to obtain the trophy for Ireland at the end of the week.

Alyth Golf Club, originally designed by Old Tom Morris in 1894, was completed by James Braid in 1934.

The Heathland course demands constant attention as a combination of tree lined fairways and diverse rolling terrain emphasise precision rather than distance.

SOCCER: TWO CUP WINS IN SUCCESSION COUNTERS TRICKY LEAGUE RUN

Rivervalley Rangers have made it through in two cup competitions

Rivervalley find their rhythm LEINSTER JUNIOR CUP Rivervalley Rangers Thomastown United  KARL GRAHAM

2 1

sport@dublingazette.com

RIVERVALLEY Rangers put their league woes aside to reach the second round of two cups in the space of a week.

Having first won 2-0 away to St Brendan’s in the Liddy Cup, they followed that up by knocking Thomastown United of Kilkenny out of the Leinster Junior Cup with a 2-1 win at the AUL Complex.

The Premier A side are currently sit bottom of the table after a slow

start to the season after promotion from the Premier B, but opened the scoring against Thomastown through a welltaken strike from Thomas Cooney on 16 minutes.

The score stayed at 1-0 until 54th minute when Cooney grabbed his second to double his team’s advantage.

Sean Brennan pulled one back for the visitors but the old adage about the importance of building a two goal lead proved true as Rangers held on.

Rivervalley manager Stephen Doran spoke to GazetteSport about his side’s performance

LEINSTER HOCKEY Sweeney cuts loose in high-scoring draw ADRIAN Sweeney’s hat trick saw Fingal start their Leinster hockey Division One campaign with a 4-4 draw at the National Sports Campus against Kilkenny.

He was on the mark three times with Shane Dempsey nabbing the other goal in reply to a trio of goals from David McClure while Aidan Boland also weighed in with a goal. Fingal continue their season next Saturday with a road trip to play Weston.

and trying to get into a rhythm of winning.

“Obviously, delighted because they are a good, strong side,” he said.

“We’ve gotten a few players back from injury and a few more to come back this week. We are on a bit of a roll having won the last two so we are trying to forget about the bad start that we have had and put a few wins together.”

Despite the close scoreline, Doran believes they dominated the game for the most part, and on another day could have racked up a much bigger goal haul.

“We very much domi-

nated the game in possession and chances to be honest, bar maybe a fifteen minute spell in the second half where they came at us.

“Our keeper obviously conceded the goal and he pulled off a very good save with 10 minutes to go but, apart from that, we did particularly well, and with a bit more care over our finishing probably would have scored another two or three more goals.”

Cup runs for teams struggling in their league are often bandied about by pundits as being an important relief for both manager and players but

Doran insists that putting a winning run together is the most important thing, regardless of whether they are in the league or cup.

“It’s not about relief.

We’ve got good players; it’s just getting them back fit that has been the problem. The last two weeks have seen indications that we have had players back every week so I’d have been quite comfortable if they had of been league games.

“It makes no odds as long as we get into a rhythm of winning games, that’s the most important part,” said Doran.

29 September 2016 FINGAL GAZETTE 31

GAZETTE

ALL-IRELAND SEVENS

St Finian’s footballers take on the island’s best

CLUB NOTICEBOARD FINGALLIANS

ST FINIAN’S Under-14 LGFA team were

invited to take part on the Kilmacud All Ireland 7’s tournament and produced a number of superb performances on the national stage last Saturday.

Ultimately, Dublin Feile winners Lucan Sarsfields reached the final of the competition where they were undone

by Mayo’s Westport in a high quality competition.

DUBLIN senior ladies: Hard luck to the

and buy important club equipment.

Dubs who were beaten by Cork 1-7 to

Please drop any pots of gold down to

1-6. We didn’t get the rub of the green

club and we’ll turn it into much needed

on this occasion. We are all very proud

club equipment.

of Sinead, Emer, Fiona, Muireann and Emma.

Dublin senior footballers: The very

CAMOGIE: SKERRIES THROUGH TO COUNTY FINAL

Oktoberfest: Don’t forget to get your tickets for this hot event on Saturday, October 29.

best in the replay to the Paul and the

Helmets and Hurls: If you have any

Dublin squad. We will have a big screen

helmets and/or hurls that are in good

in the main hall for the match. Thrown

working order and are no longer used

in for the big game on Saturday is 5pm.

by your family members they we will

After the game, there will be music in

be gratefully accepted by the acad-

the bar with Eugene and Pat from 7.30-

emy to help alleviate the pressure on

9.30pm.

gear due to the significant numbers

Replay Tickets: There will be an open draw (as is club policy) in the club bar

that are turning up every Saturday morning.

at 9pm this Thursday, September 29

Chat in Irish: The club’s Irish con-

at 9.30pm. All names from the original

versation group meet each Wednes-

draw will be included.

day at 9pm in the club bar. Open to

Intermediate football champion-

all, free of charge and suitable for all

ship: The latest news is our game v

levels. Further info from 086 3814422.

Good Counsel is refixed for October 9.

Bain triail as.

The new venue is Balgriffin at 2pm.

Ploughing Championships: Well done

Copper Collection: Do you have a

to our senior footballer, Derek Rogers

pot of 1/2/5/10 cent coins that nobody

who took part in his first ploughing

wants anymore? Collectively as a

championship last week in Screggan,

club, we can make small coins count

Co Offaly.

ST FINIAN’S

The Skerries Harps senior camogie team

Thorne pierces OPER defences in semi win

SENIOR B SEMI-FINAL

Skerries Harps 0-12 St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER 2-3  sport@dublingazette.com

SKERRIES Harps qualified for their first Senior B championship final since 2011 when they overcame a stern challenge in Sunday’s semi-final, seeing off St Oliver Plunkett’s/ Eoghan Ruadh by three points.

The first half proved to be a tight, low-scoring affair with both teams guilty of ceding possession easily to their opposite numbers. The Plunkett’s defence, in particular, crowded out the speedy Skerries attack

who relied on a pointed 45 from Aoife Halpin and free from Nicola Thorne for their only scores of the first quarter.

The visitors responded with two scores from their dangerous forward Aoife Bugler, one a free.

A point from another of their county players, midfielder Laoise Quinn, put Plunkett’s ahead for the first and only time in the game.

Skerries’ Orlaith Durkan was having a huge inf luence and broke through for a great point to equalise. Another Thorne free pushed the home team ahead and Durkan added another

to leave the home team ahead by two points at the break 0-5 to 0-3.

The seasiders dominated the third quarter, based hugely on a dominant half back line of Grace Leach in her first senior season, Jean Murphy and Ciara Copeland.

This provided plenty of possession to the Skerries forwards. Veronica FayWatt, introduced late in the first half, was getting on plenty of ball at corner forward and whilst not scoring created opportunity for her colleagues.

The Harps kept the scoreboard ticking over with Tara O’Flaherty at wing-forward contribut-

ing two excellent scores in a strong second half performance. The pressure also forced the concession of a number of frees by the visiting defence and Thorne (two) and Halpin.

Durkan, and Eve Kehoe brought the Harps total to 0-12 without Plunketts adding to their interval score.

The Harps will be disappointed to concede two goals with some sloppy defending and lack of concentration in the last three minutes.

This made for a nervous finish but they held out for a deserved victory amd a final spot.

WELL done to the U-12 camogie team

gie team were beaten by Ballinteer St

who had a great win against Commer-

John’s on Sunday.

cials on Saturday winning by 9-6 to

The club lotto jackpot was €1,600

nil. This was their final league game of

and the numbers drawn were 3, 16, 18

the season having only lost one league

and 22.

game all year.

There was no winner. Lucky dip win-

Well done also the adult Division 4

ners of €25 were Jim Sullivan, Ciara

hurling team who beat St Brigid’s by

McDonough, L Harris, Nicky, Dylan

2-15 to 0-13 in Ridgewood on Saturday

and Callum. Next week’s jackpot will

evening.

be €1,700.

A big congratulations to the repre-

The club bingo takes place this and

sentatives from the U-14 LGFA team

every Friday upstairs in Peacock’s at

who were invited to take part on the

8.30pm. This week’s jackpot is €1,500.

Kilmacud All Ireland 7s tournament

The clubhouse coffee shop is now

and who did the club proud on Satur-

open every Saturday from 10am to

day with their superb performances.

1pm; all are welcome for a cuppa and

Hard luck to the adult ladies camo-

a chat.

FINGAL RAVENS OUR astroturf pitch is progressing

name is drawn, you must be there or

at a great rate. We apologise for any

have a representative there to collect

inconvenience due to the works and

and pay for your ticket. We will not be

ask everyone to be safety conscious

holding tickets or distributing them

while it continues.

after the draw. Stand tickets €60; ter-

We are looking for unwanted photo frames of any size which will be used to display team photos.

race tickets €30.

We wish our Dublin team well in the replay and we all hope that this time

All-Ireland replay tickets: the draw

next week we will be celebrating Dublin

for the Dublin v Mayo game on October

being All-Ireland champions. We send

1 will take place on Friday, September

special good wishes to our own Darren

30 at 7pm upstairs in Rolestown Com-

(Butsey) Daly.

munity Hall. The format for the draw is the same as the last one.

However, there is one very important change regarding tickets – if your

Lotto results: numbers drawn were 3, 9, 24 and 27. There was no winner. MJ Manning matched three numbers and wins €250.

GAZETTESPORT ALL OF YOUR FINGAL SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 28-31

THUNDER-STRUCK: Killester come unstuck in Dublin derby against strong Swords outfit on league return P28

SEPT 29 - OCT 5, 2016

DUBLIN’S FINAL AGONY: Rowe point controversy leaves bad taste P29

Malahide RFC are looking to continue their rapid rise through the leagues

Malahide on the rise Estuary Road club adapt to life in Leinster League Division 1A with two big wins with coach Richard Evans hailing their superb performances

 KARL GRAHAM

sport@dublingazette.com

MALAHIDE Rugby Club made it two statements wins from two after yet another impressive performance in their debut season in Leinster League Division 1A to suggest they could be a major contender for an All-Ireland League place.

A 25-23 victory away to well-established De La Salle Palmerston came on the back of a 71-13 demolition of Ashbourne.

Manager Richard Evans spoke to GazetteSport about his side’s impressive win over De La Salle Palmerston and the season ahead.

“The second half was probably the best performance the club has ever had,” he said. “It

was probably the highest level match that the club has played at.

“We were pretty much under the cosh so we did very well to turn things around and I am obviously delighted with that.”

Malahide won Division 1B last season and added some significant AIL experience to the settled side they have been building over the last few years.

“I think the bulk of the team has been together for three years and we are starting to mature as a squad. We haven’t had any major changes over the last few years, which obviously puts us in a good position moving forward,” said Evans.

Understandably, expectations of Malahide from the established teams in the league have

most likely changed from what they were prior to the season kicking off, and this is an assumption Evans believes is probably the case.

“I think, like any team coming up, our ambition was to finish in the top four but we had to be very conscious that we could easily lose two or three of the first three games because we were playing three very strong teams.

“We’ve probably surpassed our expectations at this level and I presume people will be on the lookout for us, and looking for ways to beat us, and bring us back down to earth as soon as possible.”

Despite their great start to the season, Malahide have resisted the temptation to deviate from their initial target of top four.

“Yes 100%. Obviously just coming up, we

could have easily lost the game against De La Salle so top four is our target, that’s where we want to be.”

Evans also spoke about the confidence his players are developing.

“I think the second half against De La Salle was really pleasing in the sense that we were 11 or 12 points down and could have easily given up and gone into our shells. But they didn’t.

They kept playing and were rewarded with four minutes to go by scoring the try.

“In fairness, we did drop the ball over the try line a few minutes beforehand and we had a two on one that we screwed up so we were actually dominating quite comfortably at the end, which is obviously good for morale,” Evans concluded.