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Donegal delights await with a rural retreat at Solis Lough Eske Castle

see page 24 September 12, 2013 Find us on

Month XX, 2012 Swords • Balbriggan • Applewood • boroimhe • Airside • Rivervalley

INSIDE: Creative kids showcase their cool and imaginative computer coding projects P10

pyrite: Government delay on housing issue criticised by Clare Daly See Page 2

Cricket clash: Enjoying Ireland V England match Football:

Fingallians earn replay after big comeback Page 31

tracey Meade, Suzie Boyd, John Nugent, Siobhan and Tony Gibney were among the crowds that poured into Malahide recently to witness a historic one-day international cricket match between Ireland and England. Thousands packed into Malahide cricket ground to enjoy some top quality cricket played in some early autumn sunshine.

See Gallery on Page 8

Soccer:

Swords Celtic land huge FAI Inter Cup draw Page 32

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES....................... 8 DUBLIN LIFE....................11 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................25 SPORT............................27

Skerries cleans up with Tidy Towns prize ‘Attractive’ seaside town beats off competition for second year in row

 Natalie Burke

The town of Skerries has beaten off stiff competition in this year’s SuperValu Tidy Towns competition to win the overall award in the

Dublin region for the second year in a row.

While Moynalty in County Meath took home the overall prize, Skerries scored the highest amount of points in the Dublin area, taking home

a gold medal for its efforts in keeping the seaside town looking its best.

Judges described Skerries as “an attractive seaside town that largely escaped the blight of unfinished housing

estates”.

Local Cllr Tom O’Leary (FG) said he was delighted to see Skerries improving and has high hopes for next year’s competition.

Full Story on Page 3

2 SWORDS GAZETTE 12 September 2013

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DAMAGE ‘Houses in dangerous condition’

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The issue of pyrite has caused distress to hundreds of families in the north Dublin area

Daly slams ‘unnecessary’ delay in action on pyrite A DUBLIN North TD has criticised the Government’s response to pyrite resolution saying the delay in accepting applications from homeowners for the remediation of their homes is unnecessary.

Deputy Clare Daly (Ind) said the delay in accepting applications is resulting in “serious health and safety concerns” as well as financial stress for homeowners in north Dublin and across the country.

“Some of these houses are in a dangerous condition and they’re getting worse as we speak. There is serious damage out there which urgently needs to be remediated,” she said.

The issue of pyrite has caused distress to hundreds of families in the north Dublin area, across communities in Malahide, Swords, Lusk, Rush and Bal-

 NATALIE BURKE nburke@gazettegroup.com

briggan, as well as thousands across Ireland.

In the most recent report by the P yrite Panel released in 2012, a total of 74 unnamed housing estates in Fingal, Meath, Dublin City, Kildare and Offaly were identified as being potentially affected by pyrite.

Planned legislation to establish the Pyrite Lev y Fund is due to appear on the agenda of the Dail sessions, set to reconvene in the coming weeks. According to Deputy Daly however, the legislation should have been passed before summer recess. “ We we r e t o l d

months ago that this was going to be sorted.

The Pyrite Resolution Board website went live in May and we heard they would be taking applications. Then we heard they would be taking applications in July. Now it’s mid-September and still nothing has happened.”

As a result, Daly says she believes it will be summer 2014 before any properties will be remediated.

“T he issue is why isn’t the Board accepting applications? Why do we need to wait for this levy to be in place?

We don’t. The banks said they would provide €50 million to start the remediation so where is it?”

According to a spokesperson for the Department of the Environment, work is progressing on developing an online appli-

cation system.

“And while the PRB [Pyrite Resolution Board] had hoped to be in a position to accept applications by the end of July, this did not prove possible. “ I t wo u l d n o t b e appropriate for the PRB to begin to accept applications in advance of the required legislation being passed by the Dail. The Minister hopes to have the necessar y legislation enacted as early as possible in this session,” the spokesperson said.

Local TD Alan Farrell (FG) is also pushing for the Government to give priority to the Pyrite Levy Fund in the upcoming Dail session.

The TD says he is urging the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan (FG), to ensure the planned legislation to establish the Fund is given top priority in the

Dail.

“I am urging Minister Hogan to bring this matter before Cabinet as a priority, so as to reduce the possibility of further delays to the application process. For many affected homeowners, this fund is a lifeline and the solution to a considerable problem which has been plaguing them for nearly eight years,” he said.

T he suppor t from local politicians has b e e n we l c o m e d b y members of the Pyrite Action Group, a group set up by affected homeowners. Group secretary Sandra Lewis says the legislation needs to be pushed.

“Once the legislation is in place, the finance can be released to start the remediation. The legislation is pivotal and pushing it is really important.”

12 September 2013 swords gazette 3

girls night

tidy towns: gold medal for keeping seaside town looking its best

A fun evening of fashion

Skerries tidies up with top award  natalie burke

The town of Skerries has beaten off stiff competition in this year’s SuperValu Tidy Towns competition to win the overall award in the Dublin region for the second year in a row.

While Moynalty in County Meath took home the overall prize, Skerries scored the highest amount of points in the Dublin area, taking home a gold medal for its efforts in keeping the seaside town looking its best.

The town was awarded a total of 309 points out of a possible 400, an increase in three points since last year’s win.

In the adjudication report, judges described

Skerries as “an attractive seaside town that largely escaped the blight of unfinished housing estates”.

“Essentially it’s a mature town and newer developments have been assimilated into the town very well. There are no major issues to be dealt with,” the judges said.

Local CllrTom O’Leary (FG) said he was delighted to see Skerries improving yet again. “They’re knocking on the door of the main prize to win the tidiest town in Ireland.

“When we have the new town centre garden project up and running and the Sea Pole on Red Island, we’re in with a great chance of winning the national prize.”

Cllr Ciaran Byrne (Lab) also welcomed the news saying it acknowledges the efforts made by the Tidy Towns committee.

“The whole competition is fantastic because it really energises communities to get involved in beautifying the areas.”

The awards also saw impressive results from other local towns, with Lusk third in the regional county awards and Rush being awarded the County Endeavour Award.

“We should congratulate winners but also acknowledge the towns starting from perhaps a less developed base.

When they make such huge strides, it’s brilliant and a huge achievement as well,” he added.

Deployed: Swords man amongst the troop on mission to Golan Heights pictured is Private Thomas Carty from Swords with his three-year-

old daughter Aaliya at Cathal Brugha Barracks, after the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence Alan Shatter recently inspected the 43rd Infantry Group to be deployed with the United Nations to the Golan Heights between Israel and Syria. The troop will be deployed there this month, with the mission to establish and supervise the implementation of an area of separation and two equal zones of limited forces and armaments in Golan Heights.

Picture: Mark Stedman / Photocall Ireland

To celebrate the launch of their autumn/winter 2013 collections, the Kilkenny shop will be hosting a girls night out event in its Swords store.

The event takes place on Thursday, September 12 at the Pavilions Shopping Centre in Swords at 5.30pm Said to be a “fashion extravaganza”, the event will be a fun evening with a fashion show to be held in association with Catwalk Model Agency.

Irish and international designers will feature including FeeG, Aideen Bodkin, Fenn Wright Manson and Inwear, and guests will have the chance to win gift vouchers and prizes on the night. For more information, visit www.kilkennyshop.com.

4 swords gazette 12 September 2013

family fun Flavours of Fingal returns The Flavours of Fingal County Show will be returning to Newbridge House and Farm this weekend.

The event combines the sights and sounds of an agricultural show with a host of food, horticultural and family fun experiences.

Ideal for a family day out, the show will feature livestock and sheep competitions, equestrian contests as well as stalls filled with local delights and cooking demonstrations. Also on offer is family entertainment, walks, talks and festival antics.

The show will be held at Newbridge House and Farm, Donabate, on Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15.

See the full programme at www.flavoursoffingal.ie.

education Places for 700 pupils in 113 schools

New classes for children with special needs  natalie burke

Two schools in north Dublin will see new special education classes open for children with special needs this month.

B r a c ke n E d u c a t e Together National School in Castlelands, Balbriggan and Donabate Community College VEC will be two of a total of 20 schools in the Dublin region benefiting from the announcement made earlier this week by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

The NCSE announced

that 118 special needs classes will open in schools across Ireland this month. These new classes will cater for over 700 children with special needs in a total of 113 mainstream primary and post-primary schools across the country.

Special education classes in mainstream schools are one of the options available to parents of children with significant needs who cannot be educated in a mainstream class, for example some children with autism or a specific speech and language dis-

order.

Speaking to The Gazette, principal of Bracken Educate Together national school, Marian Griffin said the opening of the new special education class will bring good news to children needing the classes in the north Dublin area.

“It’s not just for the schools; it’s for the whole area. We were the first [special] education class to open in Balbriggan, there’s currently no other special education class in the area,” she said.

The new class is the second class to open at

The new classes means parents and children can have their needs met locally

the school, after it began its first special education class last year.

“There has been a big increase in spaces available,” principal Griffin said.

“The new class opened this month but is not full yet. But we have all the Department of Educa-

tion grants, we have the classroom furnished and all the equipment in place.”

Deputy Alan Farrell (FG) also welcomed the new classes, saying it will provide an option for students with significant needs.

“I’d like to commend

the schools in [north Dublin] for opening up their facilities for special education classes. It’s reassuring for parents and children that they can have their needs met locally, without having to travel long distances every morning for school,” he said.

12 September 2013 swords gazette 5

good news Swords ‘cleaner than European norms’

Results give town a clean bill of health  natalie burke

Volunteers within the Swords community were greeted with good news last week after the town was declared “cleaner than European norms” in the most recent IBAL anti-litter league results.

Nearby Dublin Airport and its environs were also classed in the results, being described as “clean to European norms”.

Following the release of the results, judges stated that it was “another satisfactory result for Swords”, after they ruled that there were eight top class sites in the area and two bad sites.

The judges commented: “All three approach roads into Swords got the top litter grade and other top ranking sites included Carnegie Court Hotel, Pavilions Shopping Centre and Lidl – the latter was particularly nicely laid out with attractive paving in the car park.”

In the case of the two “bad sites” referred to in the judges’ comments, they stated: “The river walk doesn’t seem to get the same level of attention as other sites in Swords.

The recycle facility beside Fingal County Council Environment was also in a poor state – the overall appearance was very grubby and the area to the rear of the recycle bins was riddled with rubbish.”

The results were welcomed by Fingal County Council, which found the recent survey reported “very positively” on both Swords and the Dublin Airport environs areas within Fingal.

“Swords scored particularly well,” said a spokesperson for the council, who mentioned in particular the eight top-class rated sites.

“The two [low-rated] areas, the recycle facility at Watery Lane and also the riverwalk, were heav-

ily littered and will require attention to bring them up to standard.”

In relation to Dublin Airport, the judges’ comments noted a “significant improvement” at a couple of sites.

“The Dublin Road from Cloghran Roundabout to Airport Roundabout was a top ranking site. This time around the Swords Road, from Collinstown entrance to Turnapin Lane, was cleaner than previously but still somewhat littered.

“Those sites directly

attached to Dublin Airport were not just clear of litter but exceptionally well presented and maintained. The R108 Naul Road from M50 to Collinstown Lane was the only bad site.”

The spokesperson for the council said they acknowledge “all the hard work many organisations and groups put in to keeping their town clean and litter-free”.

Irish Business Against Litter is an alliance of companies sharing a belief that continued economic

prosperity – notably in the areas of tourism, food and direct foreign investment – is contingent on a clean, litter-free environment.

As part of the IBAL anti-litter league, An Taisce monitors towns of population 6,000 and over, independently and in accordance with international standards.

The programme is run in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.

Visit www.ibal.ie for further information.

6 swords gazette 12 September 2013

rooftop bar New York fashion interior designer looking after new project

Revamped Wright Venue Penthouse set to open  Natalie Burke

nburke@gazettegroup.com

Fans of the Wright Venue can look forward to seeing some brand new changes in place this autumn, when the popular Swords hotspot unveils its new look rooftop bar in just a few weeks.

The Wright Venue Penthouse in Airside South Quarter is getting a makeover and will see some big changes happening in order to bring an all new singing and all new dancing rooftop venue.

The Penthouse has been closed for renovations over the past

number of weeks and is due to reopen its doors at the end of September with a brand new name and look.

Speaking to the Gazette, Lynn Ferrari, spokesperson for the Wright Venue, said the venue will be adopting a New York vibe, with New York fashion interior designer Marc Dizon looking after the new project.

“It was going for four years and we just felt like it was time for a bit of a change and a bit of a revamp.

“When we first opened, we were very Miami so we’ve kind of looked at something different,

like 1920s glamour New York for inspiration,” she explained.

Designer Marc Dizon has previously worked on projects such as The Millennium Church in Rome and The Modern Art Museum in Barcelona.

“He was the All Saints fashion-interior designer so he’s very trendy, very cool, very current and that’s kind of what we wanted to do with The Penthouse,” Lynn continued.

“So the Wright Venue is in good hands,” she said.

The last few weeks of August saw the Penthouse celebrate the end

The Wright Venue Penthouse will see some big changes

of an era and the popular venue held a special closing party, where guests enjoyed a night filled with confetti can-

ons, bongo players and champagne sprays.

DJ Dean Sherry, who has been a popular DJ at The Penthouse since

it first opened four years ago, took to the decks for the night.

“It’s going to be completely rebranded and

there will be a brand new name, a brand new offering, a brand new clientele and brand new membership,” said Lynn.

“There’s going to be an exclusive membership on offer and a loyalty system so there will be lots happening.

“People can expect something completely different, the complete opposite to what’s up there now,” she concluded.

For any more information and updates on the reopening, check out the Wright Venue website (www.thewrightvenue. ie), keep an eye on the Facebook page or email info@twv.ie.

suicide awareness: raising cash for charity

Fundraising family day  natalie burke nburke@gazettegroup.com

LocalMatters S u p p o r t l o c a l b u s i n e ss

Advertise with the Gazette call 60 10 240

A community family fun day in aid of suicide awareness will be held in north Dublin this weekend.

The day is organised by a local group, which was established in memory of a young man from north Dublin who died by suicide last year.

The Alan Leetch Memorial Fund will be hosting the fundraising event, which takes place on Saturday, September 14 at Fingallians GAA Club in Swords.

The memorial fund was set up by a number of Alan’s close friends and family members following his death in March 2012, with the hope of raising much-needed funds for a number of charities that work to prevent and create awareness of suicide in Ireland.

The fun day will take place from 1pm until 6pm, and this will be

followed by an evening of entertainment in the GAA club from 8pm.

During the day, those attending will enjoy everything from bouncy castles and face painting, to a barbecue and a petting zoo. A market fair and kids carnival will also feature on the day. On Saturday evening, the memorial fund organisers will host a raffle, live auction, bingo and live music.

Last year’s event was a huge success raising a total of €40,000, which was donated to four national and international charities including Pieta House, Console, Irish Men’s Group and the Fingal Suicide Bereavement Support service.

The same charities will benefit from funds raised this year. For more information, visit the Alan Leetch Memorial Fund Facebook page at www. facebook.com/TheAlanLeetchMemorial.

12 September 2013 swords gazette 7

give it socks Event held in memory of Frances Tobin

Cycle race raises €13,000 for charity  natalie burke nburke@gazettegroup.com

A charit y cycle organised by a Portmarnock family has raised €13,000 for ovarian cancer.

The Give it Socks cycle was organised in memory of Frances Tobin, a local Portmarnock wife and mother who passed away in 2011 after a brave battle with ovarian cancer.

The cycle was held on Saturday, August 31 in aid of Supporting Ovarian Cancer Knowledge (SOCK).

T h i s y e a r ’s c y cl e marks the second annu-

al race to be held in her memory.

Over 120 cyclists took part in the 140km challenge, which saw them cycle away from Three Mile House in County Monaghan, where Frances was born, and finish at her home town of Portmarnock, County Dublin. This year’s race saw an increase of 70 cyclists take part compared with the cycle held last year.

The route brought the fundraisers through Carrickmacross, Ardee, Collon, Drogheda, Balbriggan and Malahide.

Throughout the day, information leaflets on

SOCK were handed out en route, highlighting the symptoms of ovarian cancer to members of the public.

The cycle was organised by the Tobin Family, who hail from Portmarnock, in memory of their late mother Frances. According to her son Cillian, the people who donated their time to the event included many more than those who cycled.

“There were a lot of people who volunteered on the day. We had people helping with first aid, driving the truck and motorbikes, and we had stewards at the

roundabouts as well so there was a lot of time given by people. GAA clubs got involved as well, providing tea and sandwiches for those taking part which was really great. It was so nice to see people taking that time out of their day,” he said.

Speaking about what it meant to the Tobin family to be able to raise money in memory of Frances, Cillian said: “We all feel really proud that people would take the time out to help us and to take part in the fundraiser.

“It just shows what mam meant to them. Peo-

The cycle was held in aid of Supporting Ovarian Cancer Knowledge (SOCK)

ple took part who knew her and knew us and as a family, we’re just really grateful for everyone who showed their support – all the volunteers, cyclists and sponsors.”

Funds raised from last years’ cycle contributed to SOCK’s awareness campaign which has

seen almost 100,000 ovarian cancer information leaflets distributed through GP surgeries and various events over the past year.

T he money raised from this year’s cycle will help SOCK to continue their awareness campaign and assist in

the funding of ovarian cancer research in Ireland.

To h e l p s u p p o r t those who took part, donations can be made online at www.mycharity.ie/event/giveitsockscycle2013. For more information on SOCK, see www.sock.ie.

8 swords gazette 12 September 2013

gazetteGALLERIES

Helena Mooney, Nathalie Wille and Jacent Simmons

Warren Deutrom of Cricket Ireland and Dave GV Wright, Barry Gibney and former Taoiseach Brian Cowen. Pictures: Una Williams

Shannon

match: ireland take on England in malahide

Crowds go batty for cricket game

T

Sharon King, Sinead Noble and Alan Gannon soak up the after match atmosphere at Gibneys

Here was a carnival atmosphere in Malahide recently as the town hosted its first ever international cricket match between Ireland and England on its newlydeveloped cricket grounds at Malahide Cricket Club. Over 10,000 people descended on the popular seaside town to enjoy the

match, and despite Ireland losing, crowds were in a celebratory mood as they took over the local bars in the area that evening.

The event was an incredible day for Irish cricket, which judging by the massive amount of support that turned out, can only get better and better.

12 September 2013 swords gazette 9

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Brenda Donohue

Television presenter

Brendan Kennedy, Cllr Anthony Lavin (FG), Tina Lavin,

Ian, Ciaran, John and David Lazenby with Nikki Jordan at Gibney’s after

Aidan Power

Alan Hughes, president of Malahide Cricket Club

the match

Tracey Meade, Suzie Boyd, John Nugent, Siobhan and Tony Gibney

Rachel Kenny and Senator Darragh O’Brien (FF)

Marjorie and Sarah Tormey

10 swords gazette 12 September 2013

gazetteGALLERY

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CoderDojo co-founder Bill Liao presenting a 21st birthday present to fellow co-founder James Whelton

Aoife and Katie. Pictures: Conor McCabe Photography

Creative kids show off coolest coding projects Y

oung people, aged 8-16, from all parts of Ireland descended on Dublin City University recently to showcase their cool and imaginative projects as part of the CoderDojo Coolest Projects Awards.

Adian and James

The Coolest Project Awards, now in its second year, featured 60 projects, including four online from the USA, undertaken by young people as part of CoderDojo, the network of free coding clubs educating thousands of

Conor and Ryan

James with the youngest CoderDojo participant Lauren

young Irish people about the fun and creativity of computer programming.

The awards reward the creative side of programming, ranking entries using a “cool” factor assessment criteria.

Joshua and Joel

James Whelton sharing his views on Coolest Projects

12 September 2013 Gazette 11

farmleigh P14

asdfsdaf business P27 P16

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what’son doors open to great buildings:

Girl Band (above) will perform at this year’s Arthur’s Day on September 26 along with other artists such as The Script, Manic Street Preachers and Emili Sande

impressive line-up: Celebrating the best in Irish creativity, music and art

Arthur’s Day celebration brings 500 music events  ian begley ibegley@gazettegroup.com

Ireland is set to hold its fifth year celebrating Arthur’s Day on September 26, an international event where people from all over the world rejoice in their love of Guinness.

This year, Ireland will host 500 music events taking place all over the island, which will include a line-up of some of the world’s most distinguished musicians.

Some of the top-tier artists who

will perform at this year’s event will include The Script, Manic Street Preachers, The Original Rudeboys, Bobby Womack, Emili Sande, Daley, Girl Band, BOUTS, James Vincent McMorrow, Janelle Monae and many more.

Alan Duggan, Dublin guitarist from Girl Band, said his fellow members and himself were asked to perform at this year’s Arthur’s Day by a booking agency in the UK. “I can imagine they noticed we were Irish and that we suited the type of

musicians they were looking for,” said Duggan.

“We’re working on some new material at the moment, so it would be a nice way to try it out before we release our new single early next year.

“It would be nice to play for a bigger, more different type of audience as opposed to the smaller independent gigs that we normally play.”

Diageo, the company which owns Guinness, held the first-ever Arthur’s Day event back in September 2009 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the

brewery. The day has since become an annual fixture all over the world for Irish people and lovers of Ireland to celebrate the best in Irish creativity, music and art, while also enjoying a pint of the black stuff.

Arthur’s Day falls on Thursday, September 26, and ticketed events that will take place in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Belfast are priced at €10.

All money raised by the Arthur’s Day event goes straight into the Arthur Guinness Projects, which funds creativity and ideas within Ireland.

Open House Dublin returns this October opening doors of over 100 great buildings not usually seen by the public.

Great buildings of architectural quality, many of which are not normally open to the public, will open their door over the weekend of October 4-6.

This initiative, which is free of charge, invites people to explore and understand the value of a well-designed building.

The theme of Open House Dublin 2013 is 100 Great Buildings, from the obvious to the overlooked.

Speaking in advance of the launch, Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan (FG) said: “The idea of Open House Dublin is so simple but so powerful: to visit great buildings, in the company of an expert guide, for free.

“This year’s programme features buildings that keep the city running, buildings as landmarks, buildings with surprises, buildings known mainly to small communities – truly from the obvious to the overlooked.”

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12 Gazette 12 September 2013

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Orchestrate an A NEW start-up business, entitled Music for Fun, which was inspired by an urge to provide children with an entertaining and interactive way to see and hear a live orchestra play their favourite music, is putting on two concerts this month in the National Concert Hall.

In 2012, Dave McGauran and Julian Keable devised a format for family-friendly orchestral concerts to introduce children to an orchestra and foster a love of music in them.

The concerts are performed by a full orchestra, comprising Ireland’s best professional musicians.

McGauran said: “This is not your usual stuffy concert where bow ties and gowns are the norm.

These are fun and entertaining concerts. Most of all, they are educational and involving.”

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

The two performances will be held on Sunday, September 22 at 2pm and 5pm. Tickets start at €10, and are available at www. nch.ie, or by telephoning 01 417 0000.

design the new bt trophy ORGANISERS of the BT Young Scientist Exhibition are injecting some art into proceedings this year by running a competition with artist Graham Knuttel for budding artists to design the exhibition’s new trophy.

BT and the Institutes of Technology Ireland are searching for the most creative young artist’s design to mark the 50th anniversary of the exhibition.

Lead judge K nuttel said: “The calibre of artistic talent and creativity here in Ireland is undoubtedly among the

best in the world.

“This design competition is a fantastic opportunity for budding artists to see their creative ideas taken from conception through to masterpiece.”

The theme for the design project is the creativity of science. The top prize is a MacBook laptop and trophy, and the competition is open to all secondary school students. Those interested in competing can send their design ideas to youngscientist@bt.com.

info evening on Alzheimer’s A FREE information evening is being held by the Blackrock-based Alzheimer Society of Ireland this week.

The event is being organised in aid of World Alzheimer’s Day and to raise awareness and broaden people’s under-

12 September 2013 Gazette 13

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diary

enjoyable way to learn about music standing about Alzheimer’s and dementia.

It will provide a forum and an opportunity for people to become better informed by medical and legal professionals in a supportive and compassionate environment.

Expert speakers on the night will be Gerry Martin, chief executive of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland; Dr Frank Marmion, a GP with Carysfort Clinic and The Orchard Day Care Centre in Blackrock, and family carer Denise Monahan.

Free information and advice on all aspects relating to sufferers of Alzheimer’s will be provided throughout the evening.

The evening takes place on Thursday, September

19 at 7pm in the Alexander Hotel, Fenian Street, Dublin 2.

dublin to host citizenry forum THE 2013 international Interdependence Day Forum is set to take place in Dublin on the weekend of September 20 to 23, marking both The Gathering in Ireland and the celebration of the Irish diaspora – a symbol of growing global interdependence.

Previously held in cities across the world including Rome, Mexico City and Los Angeles, Interdependence Day brings educators, students, and cultural, political, social and religious leaders from around the world

together to discuss how to promote communication across cultures, and how to overcome parochialism.

The event is about supporting and acknowledging global citizens, and promoting constructive interdependence.

The Dublin theme is Migration, the Responsibility of Communities.

Discussions will include education rights and gender equality, religion and social justice, how immigration affects communication across cultures, the crisis of climate change in a world without borders, and more.

For further information on events and discussions, see www.interdependencemovement.org.

With help from three-year-old Emily, Dave McGauran of Music for Fun was keen to trumpet two upcoming concerts at the National Concert Hall which are specifically aimed at getting children involved with music

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14 Gazette 12 September 2013

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An Austen evening  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

Tranquil  laura webb

TO CELEBRATE the 200th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice, An Evening with Jane Austen is being held in Farmleigh House.

The evening will feature author Sophia Hillan, who will give a talk on Austen and read from her acclaimed book, May, Lou and Cass: Jane Austen’s Nieces.

This will be followed by some music from the period, and other attractions. Tickets for this free event will be chosen by lottery.

To be in with a chance to attend the event on October 3 in Farmleigh House, see www. farmleigh.ie/Events/ Title,24909,en.html.

Theatre director, writer and playwright Peter Sheridan, now writer-in-residence at Farmleigh House

FARMLEIGH has yet again succeeded in landing one of Ireland’s finest writers as its writer-inresidence, with theatre director and playwright Peter Sheridan taking on the role.

Now in its seventh consecutive year, Peter follows in the footsteps of Joseph O’Connor, Stella Tillyar and Dermot Bolger.

Writers are given a chance to live and work in the tranquil and historic setting of Farmleigh to work on their own projects, but they must also organise events for the public, which have proven extremely popular over the years.

Speaking to The Gazette about his involvement in the residency, he said it was his friends in high places hwo got him the gig.

“When Joe [O’Connor] did his stint and when he was moving on, they asked him for a list of six names he thought would be good at this, and among them was my name.

“They spoke to me and asked about my ideas. I knew the house, I had visited it as a punter and told them my ideas.

“Obviously, I would do my own show [Break a Leg]. I also wanted to showcase new voices in poetry, so I thought: ‘Who is the new voice now?’, and found Hol-

12 September 2013 Gazette 15

House has the write stuff lie McNish – a young Cambridge poet. She is sensational so I thought she would be perfect for this.

“Farmleigh is a fantastic place to work, because it is so quiet and the atmosphere – you really know you are away from everything.

“I have a little office in the back garden – granddad’s shed, as the grandkids call it – and I can always retreat there.

“But, there are always kids coming in and out – ‘interruptions’, which I do love, to be honest, but I could certainly come up here for a few days to get away if I am under pressure to do something,” Born on Abercorn

Road in East Wall, the Sheridan family had heard stories of Sean O’Casey – the man behind such plays as The Plough and the Stars, and Juno and the Paycock, who once lived in the area, which intrigued him.

Theatre bug With this and his father’s interest in acting, it wasn’t long until he too caught the theatre bug and at 16 he never looked back.

“My most recent book is Break a Leg; it’s about my theatre journey. My dad introduced me to the theatre. Once he introduced me to it, the light went on and that was that!

The exterior of the historic Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park

“I’ve never really been doing anything else – when I discovered [theatre], I was like, ‘Wow...’.

“Dad started a theatre group and he wanted me

in a play; naturally, we did our neighbour Sean’s plays,” he said.

His family later moved to Seville Place in North Wall where he and his

siblings, including film director Jim Sheridan, grew up.

As teens, Peter and Jim would head down to O’Connell Street to put

on impromptu plays to entertain crowds.

“We were doing really experimental stuff in the first few years of forming this drama group [his father’s].

“We were doing mad stuff, and we thought, ‘Why don’t we do improvised plays?’ On Saturday afternoon, we would do plays on the street and pass around the hat.

It was crazy!”

Being a director, actor and playwright, Peter is always busy, but for him it’s the best way to be.

To find out more about Peter’s events in Farmleigh, or more about what’s on in the estate located in the Phoenix Park, see www.farmleigh.ie.

Gazette

feature

Jack & Jill open shop THE Jack & Jill Foundation has opened its first charity shop in Newbridge.

Financial guru and Jack & Jill patron Eddie Hobbs was on hand at the launch to check out the value in store, while stylist Mariette Doran examined its style.

The foundation’s chief executive and founder, Jonathan Irwin, said they might be slightly late into the charity shop game, but people can bet that the Jack & Jill Shop will be a cut above the rest.

He said: “It’s a true saying that ‘charity begins at home’, and we can see that tenet alive and well through the Jack & Jill network and our great friends and supporters nationally and locally.”

Gazette

16 Gazette 12 September 2013

dublinlife

Edco helping thousands of students think ahead With students across the country settling back to school, the Educational Company of Ireland (Edco) is one company already thinking ahead.

With thousands of students set to sit State exams in June 2014, the company has once again launched the newest range of Edco Exam Papers for the Junior and Leaving Certificate.

With over 65 titles available in the range, the Edco exam papers are considered to be Ireland’s number one exam paper and have a number of services offered free, including online solutions, tutorials and exam advice through www.examit.ie The e-xamit.ie website is a unique learning system linking the Edco

exam papers to the internet and is used by over 50,000 students every year. Exclusive to Edco Exam Papers, the site is designed to help equip students with everything they need to succeed in exams.

Edco Exam Papers come with a host of other helpful features, including interactive language CDROMs to help students with the listening and oral exams, study podcasts on a variety of topics, exam analysis charts indicating what topics came up in which year, and study planners to help students get on the right track for the exams.

The full range of Edco Exam Papers is available in bookshops nationwide and at www.edco. ie.

Q&A

business

Andrew Kavanagh, Total Laser Health

Taking the pain out of treatment Andrew Kavanagh is the owner/ operator of Total Laser Health at The Spawell in Templeogue. After numerous injuries and frustration at them not healing quickly enough he decided to pursue the area of injury treatment himself. His research brough him to Total Laser Health which offers a pain free and safe

method of repairing soft tissue damage in injuries.

It also improves quality of life in patients suffering from chronic conditions that haven’t or don’t respond to conventional treatment methods (arthritis, tendonitis, plantar fasciitis etc) and reduces reliance on pharmaceutical interventions.

How long have you been in business?

Four years ago on July 24 I re-opened as Total Laser Health which had previously been operated since 2006 by a couple from Canada. So all in all, the clinic had been here for nearly seven years.

What makes your business successful?

We provide a realistic medical treatment alternative which caters for individuals who don’t achieve success through conventional treatment methods (injections, pharmaceuticals, operations, physio etc).

How has the recession impacted your business?

There have certainly been challenges over the past few years as with all business but we just focused on providing the best service possible and word of mouth has really done the hard yards for us in terms of retaining and gaining new business.

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

Edco has launched the newest range of exam papers for the Junior and Leaving Certificate

We have streamlined costs to be as low

as is feasible (€50 per session) and have not invested in unnecessary extras which add costs to an individual’s treatment.

food with a great ethos.

What is your ambition for the business?

1. Sean Kelly, legendary cyclist for the one-liners and short stories, 2. Arnold Schwarzenegger – for positivity and inspirational goal setting stories, 3. Luke Kelly – for some Irish history and quality songs.

To expand by opening more clinics around the country and expanding the Dublin clinic to provide even more diverse and specialist injury treatment options.

Who would your three dream dinner guests be and why?

What is the worst job you’ve ever had?

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

There’s a great array of people from all walks of life so you get to see the best of the community.

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

Never assume anything and be honest.

What living person do you most admire?

I admire anyone who is brave enough to pursue something they’re passionate about

What is your favorite Dublin restaurant?

Cornucopia, Wicklow Street. Great

Human signpost, during college on Grafton Street for a week. I pretty much worked at every job imaginable during my early years.

You are on death row, what is your last meal?

Cauliflower pizza.

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

Double tax credits for the self employed and give them the same social welfare benefits as PAYE employees.

We need to incentivise and encourage people to set up business in order to develop the local economy, not penalise them for doing so.

12 September 2013 Gazette 17

MOTORS P23

asdfsdaf P27 TRAVEl P24

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



Gazette

MUSIC P21

Pets can you give manny a new home?

Beth Nunan and Delo McArdle from Age Action hold some of the little woolly hats they have made for the top of Innocent Smoothie bottles. More than 76,000 bottles will have such hats on them, with 30c from the sale of each Smoothie going to the charity Age Action, which will use the money for its winter campaign, which advises older people how to stay warm and healthy during the winter months. Every year in Ireland, approximately 2,000 people over the age of 65 die from cold-releated conditions.

campaign: wool you help knitters to support our senior citizens?

Hat’s a great way to help  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

THE Innocent Big Knit for Age Action campaign is up and running again, marking five years since the first campaign to knit little hats for bottles of Innocent Smoothies began in Ireland.

Innocent gives 30c to the charity for every hatted Smoothie sold and, this year, knitters are meeting in Camden Street’s Age Action charity shop to knit together and spread the word.

Anyone can get involved in the campaign and knit their own colourful hats for the drink.

One of the initiative’s greatest advocates, veteran knitter Delo McArdle, spoke to The Gazette this week.

She said: “I was roped into the initiative years ago and never left it! A group

of us meet twice a week in the Camden Street shop and knit there for Innocent.

They’ve been very good at sponsoring Age Action.

“We knit little hats in any shape and form. Some of the ones I’ve seen so far this year are fantastic. There are brides and grooms and frogs and all sorts.

People’s imaginations are extraordinary.

“Then there’s the problem of how you are going to achieve your idea, so it’s difficult and takes a lot of designing and starting over if things aren’t working out.

“We meet on Wednesday and Saturday mornings in Age Action and it’s like a social club for a number of people who have lost their partner, or who never had one.

“We have great craic there, and the reaction we get from people coming into the shop is quite extraordinary.

“They come in to buy something or to browse, and they see these individuals sitting together at the back, knitting like something out of the French Revolution!

“I think I would have fitted in there; a lost vocation, perhaps ...!” she joked.

“From seeing us knitting, quite a number of people have joined the group, which is great. Knitting is something you can do on a long journey and is a great way of passing the time. I enjoy it, anyway.

“This is the fifth year of the Big Knit and it’s going really well. It’s for a marvellous cause, too, and that’s the main thing.

“Age Action helps senior people to do bits and pieces around the place, such as mowing the grass or changing a light bulb. We [older people] are not very safe on ladders any more, and we don’t like to ask the neighbours; often we don’t know our neighbours, and are fearful, too.

“So, the charity sends someone who’s been [security] vetted over to help them.

“People should buy the Innocent Smoothies, not only to support Age Action, but they can use the little hats again as egg cosies!” said Delo.

If you would like to get involved in the Big Knit campaign, you can learn more about it and get a great variety of knitting patterns online at www.thebigknit.ie.

The Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week is Manny, who is celebrating his first birthday later this month! This beautiful, energetic Pitbull cross, was born at our Dublin centre, found a home but was unfortunately brought back to us. Manny is a very loving young man who has a beautiful nature. He has some basic training but could use a little bit more.

He absolutely adores squeaky toys, children, food and above all, lots of love!

He doesn’t like to be left alone for too long. We are looking for an active, loving home for this gentleman, if there are children in the family, they would have to be 10+. If you think you could give this young man a perfect, forever home, please contact Dogs Trust on 01-879 1000 They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50 and directions can be found on www.dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/ dogstrustireland or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE.

GAZETTE

18 GAZETTE 12 September 2013

OUT&ABOUT

STYLE

Janice short faux leather skirt €44.95

Floral cap sleeve top €19.95

Veronika blouse €34.95

Autumn arrivals Vero Moda’s Veronika blouse €34.95, Margo jacket €89.95 and Erin pant €39.95

 LAURA WEBB

Margo jacket €89.95

Wild trend skirt €24.95

ACTRESS and model Poppy Delevingne made Vero Moda’s new Autumn/Winter collection her own at a photoshoot in London recently.

Vero Moda’s new collection is described as being feminine and versatile, with jackets, cardigans and knitwear being mixed and matched.

Detail on this season’s collection will catch stylish eyes, which includes silk ribbon along the leg of a classic black pair of trousers, sequins adorning the shoulders of a lightweight knitted cardigan and a checked shirt tailored for extra femininity.

Subdued colours fit perfectly with the autumn season’s collection.

Commenting on the photoshoot at London’s Metropolitan University with Poppy, Katja Hundrup, Vero Moda’s head of image and PR, said: “The location’s strong architectural features and overall look make an elegant backdrop for this autumn collection, and for Poppy’s light and feminine look.

The location formed a graphic element in itself, and made both Poppy and the collection stand out, which was the effect we went for.”

Check out the new collection in stores or online at www.veromoda.com

12 September 2013 GAZETTE 19

Jungle Gem



nated to complement the key autumn/winter fashion trends as seen on international catwalks.

The new contemporary metallics and nudes in the Sally Hansen collection are the perfect accessory to wear with textured tweeds and lace, which feature heavily in the Valentino 2013/14 collection.

The deep red, berry and precious gem shades reflect the wealth of colour in store for the winter months. This trend is mirrored perfectly through Ellie Saab’s collection for the coming season.

Mauve Along

The salon manicure shades are made with a 7-1 formula – a base coat, a strengthener, a growth treatment, rich colour, a gel like shine, chip resistance and a topcoat – all in a single polish.

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure autumn shades collection is out now. The collection is available in 48 shades, a colour for any mood – RRP €8.95.

The full range of Sally Hansen products is available from selected pharmacies, department stores and grocery stores nationwide.

Shoot the Moon

THERE’S colour, colour everywhere for nails this season with warmer shades taking centre stage.

The bright and light colours of summer are coming to an end and replacing them are warmer colours for the cooler season ahead.

Sally Hansen’s Complete Salon Manicure Runway Ready Autumn Collection features a rich palette of colours spanning royal reds and rich plums to chic nudes and beiges.

According to the Sally Hensen experts, the colours have been carefully coordi-

GAZETTE

colours for Warm a cool season …

Plum Luck

Girls’ night of fashion and fun at Harvey Nichols Yatsy jacket 39.95

IF you’re sitting at home wondering what to do with the girls in the coming weeks and how to make your night out that little bit different, then look no further than Harvey Nichols.

This is a really nice idea from the retail giant. Every Thursday until the end of October, Harvey Nichols in the Dundrum Town Centre will host an exclusive Girls’ Night Out pack-

age.

This means girls can enjoy a night out with a group of friends or colleagues, starting with a glass of prosecco and a beauty masterclass for the group at the counter

of your choice, followed by a cocktail and a twocourse meal in the first floor brasserie and a good bag each for just €25.

This is a great way to brush up on beauty

skills while having fun with friends.

This exclusive package can be booked by calling 01-2910488 or emailing firstfloor.reservations@harveynichols. com

GAZETTE

20 GAZETTE 12 September 2013

OUT&ABOUT

ARTS

BOOKS: UNLIKELY PROTAGANIST TRIES TO TACKLE TEEN SUICIDE, CYBER-BULLYING

A difficult topic gets accessible treatment

 BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

BEST-selling Irish crime writer Niamh O’Connor’s fourth novel, Blink, is set amidst the murky world of teenage suicide and cyber-bullying.

Teen suicide is a difficult subject which is still uppermost in the memory of middle Ireland fol-

lowing a spate of suicides by teenage girls allegedly bullied on internet chat site, Ask.fm.

O’Connor is not afraid to plumb these unsavoury depths and does so with a courage that is also a hallmark of her day job as crime correspondent for The Sunday World.

She’s used to the seedier side of life and approaches it with familiarity. She understands police procedure very well and how the Garda deal with crime scenes.

Because of this, the best character in the book is Sexton – a middle-aged, obese juvenile liaison officer who has

a back story to rival any of the shenanigans he investigates.

I am always fond of faulty heroes, who are full of their own complications yet nevertheless give everything to their jobs with relentless determination.

There have been many of these characters in crime fiction, from TV’s Cracker to Benjamin Black’s Quirke, and the formula is a winning one.

For all of its faults, Blink offers the reader a fresh version of this character in Sexton, a man who has a humanity and warmth it is impossible not to respond to.

The plot follows an investigation into a cluster of suicides in a Dublin suburb.

The theme of cyberbullying runs throughout all of the cases, but there is an enigma as to why these very different girls have taken the awful step they did.

One girl, Lucy, is a para-suicide, which means she did not die but survived, and is in a near vegetative state, with locked-in syndrome.

With this condition, Lucy’s mind is undamaged and fully alert, but her entire body is motionless, as she has lost any power to move.

However, Lucy is the only person who can explain why the girls, who all went to the same private school, decided to kill themselves in the same woods in Enniskerry.

Sexton, while investigating, visits Lucy and discovers that she can blink to indicate a letter, and in so doing tel-

Mentally alert but now trapped in her inert body, Lucy is the only person who can explain a spate of teen suicides, in Niamh O’Connor’s contemporary tale, Blink

egraphs a very sinister message to him which leads him to the conclusion that there is much more going on than meets the eye.

I believe that Lucy, the blinking girl, is not used to enough effect

by O’Connor and after Lucy’s initial communication, Sexton has to scramble about on his own with no more help from her.

He relies on his considerable gut and his training to investigate until the whole can of worms explodes dramatically.

The plot is often very complicated and yet

quite simplistic as all of the threads come together at last in one suspiciously neat package.

For me, there are too many characters in the book and I found myself having to stop from time to time to clarify which character was which.

However, despite this and the often choppy changes, the crime genre is well executed by O’Connor as she keeps

you on your toes with her fast-paced narrative.

The reader is absorbed into the stor y ver y quickly, and I found myself wanting to solve the mystery of why these girls did what they did.

If you like contemporary murder-mysteries, you will like Blink, which is published by Transworld, is priced €14.99 and is available in all good bookshops.

12 September 2013 Gazette 21

Gazette

MUSIC FASTtunes with Radio Nova’s Dee Woods

Waters builds a Wall in the Aviva next week

Janelle Monae delivers another highly-polished set of songs that will propel her towards mega-stardom in years to come

REVIEW: AN EVOLUTION OF FUTURE FUNK FROM ARCH-ANDROID

Singing Monae, Monae  ROB HEIGH

I’VE SEEN the future and it will be... funky.

The Tripod hosted one of the best gigs of the decade so far in 2011 when Janelle Monae and her Archorchestra brought their monochrome style into full techicolour glor y in support of the previous year’s debut album, The Archandroid. Recalling the theatrical and musical perfection of Prince’s unsurpassed 1986 Parade tour, the show was a classy lesson in bringing an audience on a dance journey and

having them screaming for more at the close.

The anticipation of Janelle’s next step was set, and she has not disappointed with her sophomore release, The Electric Lady.

The album represents the fourth and fifth suites in a seven-part arc that started with her debut EP, Metropolis, and continues the themes of outsider empowerment and identity, with all of their attendant racial and sexual associations being subtly addressed.

Monae’s strong presence flows through all of this almost-concep-

tual album ‑ the overarching concept is there, but doesn’t overwhelm the sheer enjoyment of this 68-minute journey into Monae’s imagination and easy familiarity with an array of styles that melt into something simultaneously fresh and familiar.

Starting with an o r c h e s t r a l ove r t u r e before locking into its first groove, The Electric Lady is clearly influenced by Prince, evidenced early on with his appearance on Givin’ Em What They Want.

Monae’s opening lines on that track ‑ “I am

sharper than a razor...

They want me locked up in the system, coz I’m on a mission” ‑ is a statement of intent. She clearly wants to use the platform she has created to break out of what she percieves as a conformist agenda for black women in music and make something that will connect with audiences everywhere.

Monae’s imagination and style has the potential to propel her beyond the norm, and make her one of the biggest acts on this planet, and possibly planets beyond this one as well.

The Electric Lady’s futuristic setting recalls Parliament/Funkadelic and Sun Ra at times, and John Barry and Burt Bacharach’s smooth easy listening stylings at others, the musical melting pot is bubbling and nothing is left out of the mix.

With funk, jazz, classical, loungecore, girlgroup, funk and rock inflections appearing, sometimes within the same songs, Monae and her Wondaland band’s ease with all of these styles and polished production make this an unmissable treat.

He’s just turned 70 and Roger Waters is not only running rings around performers half his age, he’s building walls around them too.

It’s probably misleading to say Waters will play The Aviva next Wednesday (September 18), because the Pink Floyd legend is set to rock the stadium to its very core with The Wall Live.

Fans who witnessed the spectacular production at The O2 in 2011 had a common complaint: scuffed chins from the jaw-dropping show that unfolded in front of them at the Dublin venue.

Now it’s returning to the city in the even bigger format of a multi-million euro arena show with Waters himself saying the outdoor environment helps the show sound better.

As if tracks like Comfortably Numb and Another Brick in the Wall weren’t enough of a draw to a concert of the entire The Wall album, the visual aspect of The Wall Live is unmissable.

Expect a larger-than-life wall to be constructed on the huge stage, which will display projected animations and powerful imagery before being torn down before your eyes.

You’re not just in the audience at a show like this, you’re part of the magic. This gig will not only change your view of concerts, but Roger Waters is also hoping it’ll change your view on the world.

He wrote The Wall in 1976 at the age of 36 in a time when he describes himself as “frightened” by the world around him, and as he’ll tell you, fear builds walls.

Not only will the massive wall be broken down at this production that’s “dedicated to all the innocent lost”, he hopes our thoughts will be too. Prepare to be amazed.

Dee appears on Nova Nights, Mon-Fri 7pm-12am and Sundays 12-2pm. @RaDeeOh

GAZETTE

22 GAZETTE 12 September 2013

OUT&ABOUT

BYTES&PIECES

Start saving those pennies, folks – the XBox One is on the way, and soon ...

XBOX ONE LAUNCH DETAILS CONFIRMED

Next Microsoft console to blast off on November 22 FINALLY steering its upcoming XBox One console away from the criticism that has dogged its heels since its initial (and badly fumbled) reveal, Microsoft have confirmed that the XBO is to hit 13 initial launch markets on Friday, November 22 – including Ireland.

It’s an auspicious date for the company, as the hugely successful XBox 360 was launched in the US and Canada on that date in 2005, before going on to massive success internationally (proving to be a highly-efficient devourer of thousands and thousands of gaming hours from me, too).

Continuing my notable skill at stating the obvious, there’s a great deal of interest in XBO-exclusive games and launch titles, with a mix of 23 titles available for day-one-release.

These include (right, downwards) such XBOexclusive titles as Dead Rising 3 and Forza Motorsport 5; expected system sellers Watch Dogs and Battlefield 4; curios like Ryse: Son of Rome and, err, Zumba Fitness: World Party. (Nobody knows anybody who ever zumbas – ever – yet zumba-whatever inevitably lurks in the charts for ages, for whatever reason, I do not know.)

On the XBO’s roll-out, Yusuf Mehdi, an XBox marketing wizard and bigwig, said: “We hit an important milestone as we began full production of the XBox One console recently. There is still a lot more work to do, but the teams are making excellent progress and are focused on launch.” No surprises there.

Interestingly, he also said: “In the spirit of continuing to bring new value and excitement to XBox, I am also pleased to confirm that the development team has increased the CPU from 1.6GHZ to 1.75GHZ – roughly a 10% increase in CPU performance. This is on top of the 6% increase we previously announced for the GPU.” In other words, Microsoft have some extra grunt going under the bonnet, which may silence naysayers who’ve been saying that the PlayStation 4 is more powerful – although it’s pretty much a case of apples versus oranges, for most gamers.

And finally – the price? Using my best waiter’s cough, I can delicately reveal the XBox One will retail for €499. Ouch.

However, different retailers will have different launch offers and bundles, so be sure to look around for the best value.

I’ll let you know more about such details, if and when I can ...

GAMING

REVIEW: TOTAL WAR: ROME 2

Roman over to a battle SEEING as my time machine is stubbornly preventing me from leapfrogging forward to September 17’s release of Grand Theft Auto V, here’s a review of justreleased Farming Simulator 2013 , available now for the XBox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC, instead, which will really test whether you know your Case IH multirotors from your Deutz-Fahr balers, and – Nah, only joking – let’s look at Total War: Rome 2 on the PC instead! Cool!

It’s the long-awaited sequel to the hugely-enjoyable Total War: Rome, which tested have-a-go praetorian’s skills to the limits in a tough-but-fair strategy game, pitting thousands of your soldiers against the computer, or other players, in historically accurate or influenced battles.

 SHANE DILLON sdillon@gazettegroup.com

Never has shouting “Send in the elephants!” been as much fun, I can tell you, as Stompy and friends were deployed to mop up annoying archers and the like.

Now, with TR:R2, its developer Creative Assembly has returned to lay waste to the strategy genre, stuffed to the gills with improvements and additions to its already illustrious predecessor.

With several playable factions to choose from, with soliders and strategies from the likes of the Roman Republic, Macedon, Carthage and more – each of which

You can lead your legions to bloody success – or crushing defeat – across a wide variety of terrains and battles in places only dusty scholars remember, today ...

has its own unique skills, strengths and weaknesses, there’s an empire of content to get stuck into.

Once again, players can follow the standard turn-based growth of their empire, as well as jumping in to real-time battles to command in person, and, hopefully, not snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Apart from the challenge of commanding such battles yourself – with literally thousands of soldiers clashing in a vast, increasingly chaotic battlefield – the empire you set up is equally challenging to master,

with countless economic, diplomatic and cultural choices to account for.

After all, a neglected province or two here, a weakened border there, and even your iron grip could quickly rust away.

Once you throw in the expanded importance and capabilities of naval units and waterborne battles, you have a truly vast game to keep tacticians and battlemasters of all ages busy until the next Roman empire rises.

(At which case, feel free to start shouting about elephants.)

Speaking of our big, grey friends, the elephant

in the room for such a review has to be the specs needed to run this game.

As is usual these days, your PC will have to be pretty damn powerful to get this beast of a game up and running, as it’s even more power-hungry than your empire-ruling (or failing) alter ego is.

However, assuming you have a rig that can cope with it, TW:R2 is an extremely pretty game in most respects, providing a clear view of everything going right (or wrong) as your own individual empire expands (or collapses). Have fun storming the castle!

BYTES&PIECES DISASTER HITS FINAL FANTASY XIV

MINECRAFT GOES MASS EFFECT

AT THE time of writing, Square Enix’s long-awaited relaunch of Final Fantasy XIV has turned into an unbridled disaster, as servers practically cremated themselves under the weight of so many gamers trying to play, leaving oodles of players offline.

It’s rare that a game suffers from being too successful, but Square Enix is now desperately trying to cope with the unexpected success of the newly relaunched title ...

YES, yes, I *know* that having yet another Minecraft story here risks seeing an angry mob descend on the building to get me to “Shut up about bloody M*******t, once and for all!”

However, tons of readers are also engrossed in it, and I’m happy to take time out from building a vast virtual palazzio (with a gold statue of me at the centre, of course) to point out an interesting development.

The first of a “mash-up” pack has arrived to add on to the game (for a small price) – a custom map that uses

IT catastrophe tramples relaunch into dust

Popular franchise collides with smash hit

textures based on Bioware’s hugely successful Mass Effect series, so that any would-be worldbuilders (or world-breakers, more like) can create some striking new buildings (above) and worlds using the Mass Effect look.

This is a welcome move that further adds to the game’s already huge playability, and hopefully similar packs will start to appear soon to dig into ...

12 September 2013 swords gazette 23

Gazette

motors road

NOISE

Ford to offer choice of trio of electric cars

The new E-Class offers state-of-the-art safety features as well as a high level of luxury and comfort

Avantgarde: new direction sure to earn new generation of followers

Mercedes go the extra mile with E200 facelift n Cormac Curtis

With their strategy to develop two sides to their personality, Mercedes envisaged appealing to both their traditional executive saloon driver, as well as a new, younger, urban driver - a customer not traditionally associated with this particular premium German marque.

And it would appear that they have succeeded.

It might sound superficial to simply offer two different facades on the same model, but, if you consider the effect it has had on yours truly, for

example, it clearly works.

Having spent a week in the new E200, I can say, without fear of contradiction, this car is unlike any other E Class that has come before.

For starters, the styling tells a story all of its own.

Like it or not, most of us form an opinion about a car based on our first look – and with the E200, that opinion will go one of two ways, depending on which model you are laying your eyes on.

From my point of view – that of a recently turned 40-year-old – a car that looks a little more current,

possibly verging on youthful, is more likely to appeal than the typical Mercedes-Benz saloon; and that is exactly what I got in the new E200 Avantgarde.

Without being too disrespectful, you could say that this car has been totally pimped.

The colour is what Mercedes call Polar White, and coupled with the nicely tinted dark windows, this car had a delightfully aggressive vibe.

But there’s the enormous air intakes, the over-sized logo on the grille, the aggressive angles and tilted head-

light clusters, not to mention the sleek body lines and indicators embedded in the wing mirrors, these elements have been carefully crafted to give this saloon some serious edge, and it works completely.

Inside, there is still a new, fresh look and feel; there is a nice nod to traditional Mercedes interiors with woodeffect trim, yet styled in black and grey colour shades that match the carbon fibre and steel elements of the dash and trim.

The smaller, sporty multifunction steering wheel is solid to the touch and gives

excellent feedback.

The upholstery was a beautiful beige leather that suited the bright exterior perfectly. The feeling in the seats was exactly what you’d expect from Mercedes, but with a tighter, more engaging feel, this is no comfy sofa, that’s for sure.

With a starting price of €44,305, there is a lot of car on offer here. As for the drive, there is surefootedness that is rare in this kind of car.

This is a new direction for the E Class that is certain to earn the brand a new generation of followers.

The Ford Motor Company has announced it will offer a choice of three distinct electric vehicles in its European showrooms by 2014 to complement its line-up of fuel efficient petrol and diesel powered vehicles.

Coming next year will be the new C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid and the Mondeo Hybrid.

They will join the Ford Focus Electric, a zero emission battery electric vehicle built in Saarlouis, Germany, which will arrive in Ireland in early 2014.

According to Barb Samardzich, vice president, product development, Ford of Europe: “Ford is leveraging our global experience and expertise to rollout a range of electrified vehicles that offers a wide and compelling power of choice.

“European customers care deeply about the environment and are increasingly seeing electrified vehicles as a way of balancing those concerns with a commitment to car ownership.”

Ford is the manufacturer of the second-highest number of hybrid vehicles in the world and the company’s share of the electrified vehicle market has quadrupled in the past year in the US, where Ford recently announced electrified vehicle sales of about 46,000 units this year through June – more than 400 per cent increase compared with a year ago.

Pass your way to the finals of the World Cup some lucky football fan, and a friend, could be jetting off to Rio thanks to a new app from official World Cup sponsor Continental Tyres.

ContiRioKick has just been launched and every month until and including April 2014, one player will win a trip for two to the world’s big-

gest football tournament in Brazil next summer.

For football fans across Europe it couldn’t be easier to play – download the free app, pass the ball to friends or anyone else in the game and every completed pass builds players’ points total. The top 11 players in the European league at the end of each month

will be entered into a prize draw with the chance to attend next summer’s action in Brazil.

Football fans from 15 countries across the world have already joined in the fun, passing a total of 136,141 balls to other players.

As well as starting a pass move, points can be earned if someone

passes you a ball and you accept it and pass it on.

The longer the passing sequence and the earlier in the sequence you are, the more points awarded – so getting more people involved leads to success. The app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Playstore.

Ford is set to offer three distinct electric vehicles

24 swords gazette 12 September 2013

Gazette

&ABOUT OUT fast

TRAVEL

TRAVEL Tuck into a bonnie dish

by Scotland’s beautiful lochs this autumn

Deliciously tempting festival  natalie burke

FOOD fans hoping to take a last-minute break this September will be pleased to know the Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight will continue until September 22 – the perfect opportunity to sample the best that Scotland’s larder has to offer.

T he festival has become a stalwart on the food calendar with hundreds of events ranging from foraging and farmers’ markets to cooking demonstrations and classes.

The Loch Ness Beer Festival takes place from September 20 to 28 in Inverness, and celebrates all the best Scottish beers, where you’ll also enjoy live music, food, competitions, dancing and more.

The Elgin Food and Drink Festival is set for September 20 and will see more than 70 exhibitors bringing market stalls to the streets of Elgin, along with cooking demonstrations and children’s activities.

A must for families, check out Autumn Harvest Day at St Andrew’s Botanic Gardens on September 22.

For more events, see www.scottishfoodanddrinkfortnight.co.uk/ events/events-2013, or www.visitscotland.org/ natural.

Located in midtown, Manhattan, the nyma hotel is an ideally-located base from which to wander and explore one of the world’s best-loved cities

america: the big apple has lots to take a bite at in the coming months

Fall for an autumn break in NYC  natalie burke

IF YOU’RE planning on taking a bite out of the Big Apple this September or October, your autumn getaway is sure to coincide with a number of unusual events to help make your visit a little different.

While you’re sure to take in New York City’s most popular hotspots, with a stroll through Central Park, a wander down Fifth Avenue and

a climb to the top of the Empire State, there’s also a host of other interesting, unconventional and high-profile events taking place, so be sure to take note.

Until September 15, New York will see Broadway Week begin, offering exclusive two-for-one tickets to a huge range of best-selling Broadway shows, including Annie, Wicked, Chicago, The Lion King and Mamma Mia!

From now until September 22, the city will see the annual Feast of San Gennaro take place in historic Little Italy.

It attracts more than one million people to its heady streets and revellers can enjoy everything from roadside music and colourful parades to food stands and a cannellonieating contest.

For the more literary types, the Brooklyn Book Festival takes place from September 16

until September 22 and has a packed schedule of readings and panels on indoor and outdoor stages.

There are also plenty of local events in streetside cafes, libraries and bookstores. Participating authors at the festival will include the likes of Karen Russell, Jamaica Kincaid and Sam Lipsyte.

Between September 28 and October 14, the New York Film Festival

will be celebrating its 50th anniversary, and is the ideal place to see cutting-edge films before they make it big.

Bringing some of the world’s most creative cinema to the city, this year’s offering includes Searching for Jason, a portrait of Jason Holliday filmed in 1967, as well as new film, Flight, from Robert Zemeckis, starring Denzel Washington.

For somewhere to

stay, check out “numa, the New York Manhattan hotel”, which is centrally located in midtown, Manhattan, and offers rooms in September from just $294.99 per double room (under €112 per person), along with free continental breakfast, free child stays for under-12s and complementary wi-fi.

For further information or to book, visit www.thenewyorkmanhattanhotel.co.uk.

donegal: arthur’s day by lough eske

Guinness-inspired getaway awaits ...  natalie burke

TO CELEBRATE Guinness’s Arthur’s Day on Thursday, September 26, the luxurious Donegal Town retreat of Solis Lough Eske Castle will be running a specially-chosen Guinness week menu, which will be available for

the week commencing September 23 until September 29.

The creator of the fivestar hotel’s Guinnessinspired menu is head chef Nicholas Le Toumelin and the three-course menu will feature Guinness-inspired dishes as their key ingredient.

The menu includes a starter of oyster and Guinness risotto, a main course of beef and Guinness stew with Guinness bread, and a dessert of warm chocolate brownie with Guinness ice-cream.

A Guinness truffle and a pint of Guinness are also included, for just €35

Relax in the shadow of the Bluestack Mountains at Solis Lough Eske, by Donegal Town

per person.

If you fancy combining your Arthur’s Day celebrations with a stay at the hotel, Solis Lough Eske Castle are currently offer-

ing a third night’s free stay when you book in for two nights in a luxurious deluxe room, coming to €540 for three nights for two people.

The offer is valid from Sunday to Thursday.

For further details, see www.solishotels.com/ lougheskecastle, or call 074 972 5100.

12 September 2013 swords gazette 25

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DUBLIN GAZETTERECRUITMENT

For Non Irish Residents ------------

When applying for a job in Ireland Ensure you have a Valid Greencard to work here.

If unsure of your Entitlements contact Irelands Department of Foreign Affairs to update you on a valid work permit For Ireland.

Contact Fidelma fclarke@ gazettegroup.com

Healthwave Pharmacy DUNDRUM SALES ASSISTANTS

Celbridge Cabs Require full and - Partime owner drivers Experience essential Full clean drivers license Available to operate Day or Evening For further information please contact Austin on 087 417 9090 Or email sending your particulars to Austindunne2005@yahoo.ie 19076

If you know of companies where you would like to work, your first step should be to check out the company website to find available openings and apply online. Going directly to the source will get your application in the system fast and you may be able to sign up to be notified of new job openings as soon as they are posted.

Please email fclarke@gazettegroup.com to feature your corporate role direct.

Sales Assistants Required for new store Pharmacy based in South Co. Dublin.

• Opening October 2013.

• Fluent English a must • Excellent communication skills • Strong customer focused • Ability to deal with people face to face • Knowledge of the Pharmacy Industry advantage but not essential • Retail experience a must • Must have EU passport Email CV and cover letter to: healthwavepharmacy@gmail.com Applications close September 8th.

19044

12 September 2013 SWORDS Gazette 27

sports fitness P28

asdfsdaf gaelic games P27 P31

dublinsport Let the Gazette keep you up to date with all the best local sporting action from around the city as we cover all the stories that matter to you and your community



Gazette

Judo P28

FastSport still time for etihad funding contest:

Women’s race winner Gina Murphy from Stillorgan at the end of the 2013 Liffey Swim. Picture: Jason Clarke Photography

swimming: stillorgan and south wall participants take 2013 crowns in sun

Long tradition continues as over 300 take to the Liffey The River Liffey was shining recently when 335 men and women of all ages took to the water for the 94th Dublin City Liffey Swim, supported by Dublin City Council and staged by the Open Sea Committee.

The race is the penultimate event in a season of 26 open water races held during the summer months.

219 men battled it out in their race which hit the water at 12.30pm at the Loop Line Bridge.

Ciaran O’Driscoll from Half Moon Swimming Club in Great South Wall

in Dublin won the men’s race with an impressive time of 26.16 minutes.

The women’s race followed an hour later when 116 women took to Ireland’s most famous river for their chance to swim competitively through the heart of Dublin city. Gina Murphy from Glenalbyn Masters in Stillorgan crossed the winning line at the East Link Toll Bridge after only 32.22 minutes.

A special presentation with the lord mayor took place on the Cill Airne when the winners were awarded their

winners cups as well as a print of the historic 1923 Jack B Yeats painting, The Liffey Swim.

Speaking about the historic race, the Lord Mayor, Oisin Quinn (Lab), said: “The Dublin City Liffey Swim has been growing in attendance year on year which illustrates just how important the legacy of the race is after 94 years.

“I would like to congratulate Ciaran and Gina as they have their names added to the historical list of Dublin City Liffey Swim winners.

“This year Dublin City Council is delighted to be in a position to provide additional support to this fantastic sporting event with the introduction of the first Liffey Living Festival and we hope that everyone that has attended the swim and festival has enjoyed an exhilarating free family day out.”

For more information on how to qualify for next year’s Dublin City Liffey Swim or to take part in the Leinster Open Sea Races, log on to www.leinsteropensea.ie

Dublin hurling clubs still have time to enter this year’s Etihad Airways Raise The Bar competition for the ultimate prize of a year’s sponsorship package with the Abu Dhabi-based airline.

Clubs can enter the competition before midnight on September 30 by submitting written and video entries on www. etihadgaa.ie to show how they have Raised The Bar, and why they deserve to win the sponsorship package.

Etihad Airways wants to reward one special club, whether that is being the focal point of their community, or managing to keep the club going against the odds or even expanding their club in recent times.

Further details can be found online at www.etihadgaa.ie.

c o n ta c t s Sports Editor: Rob Heigh rheigh@gazettegroup.com

For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@gazettegroup.com Phone: 01 651 6205

Gazette

28 SWORDS Gazette 12 September 2013

SPORT

FastSport prospective coaches invited to attend upcoming courses: Basketball Ireland are set to hold two introductory courses for people who want to be basketball coaches in the coming months.

Places are now available on the two upcoming one-day introduction to coaching courses that will take place at the Oblate Hall, Inchicore and in the National Basketball Arena in September and November respectively. Both courses are certified and run in conjunction with Coaching Ireland.

Participants do not need to have any prior coaching qualifications as they are first level courses, lasting eight hours.

The cost of the coaching events is €40 per coach, and the registration form is available to download from www. basketballireland. com, and must be returned with payment in advance of the course dates.

judo: DCU hosts international superstars of the martial art

A master class from the masters  sport@gazettegroup.com

13 0 jud ok a f r o m 12 different countries

gathered at Dublin City University recently to take part in this year’s pro judo camp which

John O’Gara, Dadash Kayko and European champion Aleksei Budolin take part in the masterclass

was led by an impressive coaching line-up of international talent.

Those who attended were privileged to be in the company of Beijing Olympic champion and London Olympic silver medallist, European champion and world medallist Ole Bischof; Olympic bronze medallist, European champion and world medallist Sergei Aschwanden from Switzerland; Olympic bronze and world silver medallist and European champion Aleksei Budolin from Estonia; and last but not least World and European champion Craig Fallon from Britain.

All the coaches are renowned for their range of judo techniques and impressed all camp participants with new tips and guidance to improve their game at all levels.

Ole Bischof takes time out to talk to some aspiring judoka

The camp also offered a variety of workshops to Irish Judo Association participants. National squad manager Keith Gough introduced a special gymnastics workshop led by former gymnastics world medallist Craig Filmer to IJA coaches in order to improve gymnastic fundamentals in their clubs.

These basics are vital in judo for future success and the theor y followed by a two-hour practical workshop was well perceived by the participants. Craig then stayed on to do the general warm-up session for the full camp for the afternoon and showed off a couple of his own impressive gymnastic

abilities.

A strength and conditioning workshop was held by Shane Mahon, a professional sports scientist from DCU. Again, the workshop was split in two parts, one theoretical and one practical part for the IJA squad members.

All adults had the pleasure of joining Aleksei Budolin and Sergei Aschwanden for an additional adult session on Friday evening – the Masterclass, while the under 18-year-olds had a little climbing competition with qualified climbing instructor Fergal in the climbing hall beside the main arena.

Saturday evening was the last official evening of this training camp

and all par ticipants gathered in the NU Bar beside the sports centre for a well-deserved BBQ after the last session.

This was another opportunity for everyone to “mingle off the mats” and develop new friendships and contacts made at the camp.

Last but not least, the Commonwealth Games Squad from Northern Ireland joined the camp on the last day for a special training session in preparation for the Games qualification period.

The dates for next year’s camp are already confirmed. They will be held from August 6 to 10, 2014 and more information will be available at www.pro-judo-camp.

Three show APPitude combining fitness and tech  sport@gazettegroup.com

The Jawbone UP system is one of the smartphone initiatives on offer to help people track their progress

Pe opl e d e t e r m i n e d t o maintain their fitness and dietary goals and who are prepared to make the most of their smart technology will have the opportunity to do so using a new programme from Three Mobile.

T he Positive APPitude campaign commenced last week, which is now offering free one-to-one coaching sessions across Three stores nationwide.

T hree staff are advis-

ing individuals during a 10-minute coaching session on recommended lifestyle apps, products and accessories that help track habits, set goals and keep motivated.

This includes the Jawbone UP system, which tracks your activity and interacts with a smartphone app which displays your data and delivers insights that keep you moving forward.

Clara Martin, store manager at Dublin’s Grafton Street, said: “With the apps and lifestyle products available

today - from logging sleep to tracking steps and counting calories - the days of having a PA, personal trainer or concierge might be coming to an end.”

Shane O’Brien, device and accessory portfolio manager at Three, said: “We’re in the middle of a technology revolution. Smartphone users are downloading millions of lifestyle apps to improve and monitor the way they eat, sleep, exercise and organise their life. Three’s Positive APPitude facilitates this

emerging global movement.”

People seeking a Positive APPitude can drop into their nearest Three store, bringing their current smartphone for a one-to-one coaching session.

Smartphone users can visit Grafton Street, Henry Street, Blanchardstown, Swords, Santry, Liffey Valley, Dundrum and Tallaght for their tailored Positive APPitude session.

For further details on the programme, log on to www. three.ie/lifestyle.

12 September 2013 SWORDS Gazette 29

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Smarter, better, H STAR faster, fitter... MONTH

DublinGazetteNewspapers 2013 dublin sports awards august winners

of the

Experience of training at the highest levels of international competition has led Jonny Bruton to bring those conventions to Dublin sportspeople in the form of the Smart Fitness facility

THREE Rock Rovers Hockey Club’s Jonny Bruton is hoping to provide Leinster’s sporting community with a new fitness experience and a fresh approach to training when he opens the doors to the Smart Training fitness facility this week.

The Irish international has taken a break from the men’s senior training panel since playing in World League round three in Rotterdam in June to set up the new venture, based in Churchtown Business Park.

He and his team of five are hoping to offer a new approach to fitness training.

“Smart Training is for people who want to lose weight, tone up, be more active and feel good. All

 stephen findlater sport@gazettegroup.com

this without feeling pain.

It’s all about smart training: training smarter, not harder.

“Training hard is good but if you’re training either with an injury or have a mobility issue like tight hips, they will make themselves worse in the long run. Fixing those issues before people go on to train harder is where the idea started.

“The services we offer are small group training, class membership and one-to-one training. The reason we are different is

because with your average gym, about a month in, people get bored, feel they are getting no results and just leave.”

Smart Training will run a variety of classes including pilates, Zumba, core, RIP 60, high intensity interval training (HIIT) and kettlebells, along with classic boot camps, something which Bruton has been running with Three Rock for the past three weeks.

Indeed, he is looking to run classes with a strong hockey-specific basis, something he has had in mind for several years.

“I’ve loved sport all my life and hockey is my main background.

When I moved to Dublin [from Australia] three years ago, I wanted to do something in that area

Three Rock Rovers’ and Ireland international Jonny Bruton

[in terms of training].

“I got into fitness instructing first and then I went further into personal training. I saw a niche in the market for what we are doing here at Smart Training.

base.”

Bruton’s brand of fitness training and the areas he is making the focus of his programmes have proven results in the international arena.

“I’ve only noticed in

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

‘The reason we are different is because, with your average gym, people get bored about a month in’ - Jonny Bruton

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

“I want to feed the hockey in through the personal training. Especially for young lads, if you want to aspire to be a top player, strength and conditioning are key for that.”

He cites the development of a player’s core as a key element in the make-up of a modern athlete.

“Core is essential.

Any guy coming into the international hockey scene will see, you need to be low to the ball for which the core area is extremely important.

Areas like your glutes and lower back muscles are key areas to remain low and strong on the ball.

“What we do would be very much on those areas, working your hips and quads with squats and dead lifts and rotation of your core. If you aspire to be a top player, you have to be fast, light on your toes, have a strong core and a strong

the past three or four years that the Irish team has got big into it and you have seen their strides.

We have come a long way through our conditioning to match the big teams. Our physical conditioning has been really good and progressed a lot since I earned my first cap in 2008.

“I want to promote this to the hockey community. It is actually a big enough market.

“I want to make it part of that friendly hockey community. I’m so excited to have this team together because they will work well together,” said Bruton.

He also says that Smart Training can provide an alternative venue during the winter months when the temperatures drop.

“When the pitches are frozen, it is an opportunity for teams to talk to me and use the facility and we can do things in there to keep them active.”

fintan mcallister A FINTAN McAllister innings to remember helped Malahide to defeat Derriaghy by 46 runs in a high scoring RSA National Cup final encounter in Downpatrick at the end of last month, in what was a thrilling and impressive team performance.

TEAMof the MONTH H BALLYROAN KARATE THE KICKING kings of karate in Ballyroan under Sensei Brendan Perry travelled to Japan with the Irish team and brought home a quintet of medals at the WSKF World Shotokan championships held in Tokyo.

Serving 8 thriving communities of suburban Dublin.

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30 SWORDS Gazette 12 September 2013

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FastSport

soccer: republic pegged back as germans show force

Three wins for Celtic against Maynooth SWORDS Celtic clashed with Maynooth Town in three games, one away and two at home, last weekend with the north Dublin club coming out on top in all, scoring a total of 16 goals in the three games.

The Under-14B team knocked in seven with two conceded while at home the Under-15Bs won 4-1 and the Under-15D team had a 5-1 win. James Roddy scored a hat trick in the latter game.

In the Under-14C game against Kilbarrack, Tes Babalona scored a fine goal while David Flaszmann scored four goals. The final score was a 7-1 for Swords.

Ciaran Daly scored both goals for the Under13A side in their 2-1 win over Mid-Sutton. That gives the team three wins out of three and a comfortable position at the top of the league at this early point in the season.

Elsewhere, after the summer break, it was full steam ahead last Saturday as the new season got under way for the nine- and seven-a-side teams.

The Under-9s welcomed Skerries and the Under-11s were up against visiting St Francis.

Malahide go fifth after Terenure win MALAHIDE cricket club continued their winning ways as they got the better of Terenure last Saturday to see them land fifth place in Leinster’s division two.

Centuries from former Scottish international Jim Govan (108) and Yogesh Kashyap (110 not out) helped the village to an imposing 288 for six from their 50 overs on a rain-affected day.

Terenure, meanwhile, fell well short

from their revised Duckworth-Lewis target despite Kenny McDonald’s knock of 76 unbeaten. Ryan Gallagher nicked a couple of wickets to slow their progress as the visitors could only muster 165 for five form just under 39 overs.

This left Terenure – who ended the season in second place – 43 runs shy of the par score. For Malahide, they conclude the campaign in fifth place, just shy of Dublin University and Rush but with the Irish National Cup in their trophy cabinet.

Swords soccer star Matt Doherty, left, was on target with a brace for Ireland against Faroe Islands in Toftir but found Germany too strong

Doherty limited for Ireland  sport@gazettegroup.com

SWORDS man Matt Doherty was given limited opportunity to repeat his Republic of Ireland Under-21 goalscoring feats of three weeks ago when Germany knocked Ireland off top spot in their European qualifying group following a comprehensive 4-0 win in Sligo’s Showgrounds last Monday.

He was on the mark twice against the Faroe Islands in Toftir in August but his side found Germany a different proposition altogether despite some decent early chances.

Ireland were rocked by the opener on 12 minutes. A good German move saw the ball make its way to Moritz Leitnar 25 yards out. The Stuttgart midfielder had time to take a touch before firing a low shot into the bottom right-hand corner.

Samir Carruthers blasted a rebound over after good work from O’Brien and Sean Murray but, again, Germany profited from lax Irish defence to give the maximum punishment.

Anthony O’Connor sliced a routine-looking clearance into the path of

brothers in arms

Happy faces at close of St Finian’s camps ST finian’s George Howard and

Ciaran McKinney were among the many children who took part in the 2013 Cul Camp at Rivervalley recently when the club brought their series of summer camps to a close for this year.

Three weeks of hurling and football camps came to an end, seeing 28 coaches and helpers delivering coaching and skills sessions for the children who attended.

Kevin Volland who was left with the luxury of strolling in and tapping it home unchallenged.

It quickly went from bad to worse for the Irish as Volland grabbed his second just two minutes later. This time a cross from Armin Younes found the head of the Ho f f e n h e i m s t r i ke r who dispatched the ball unchallenged.

Horst Hr ubesch’s team were now dominating proceedings and were unlucky not to grab a fourth on 31 minutes when Eric Durm found himself in acres of space on the edge of the area

but he only succeeded in firing his shot into the side netting.

The second half began in much the same vein as the lively Nico Schulz burst through the Irish cover. His shot was well blocked by Shane Duffy, who was probably Ireland’s best player.

The first bright moment of the half for Noel King’s men came on the hour, when a neat passing move gave half time substitute Connor Smith space for a shot which forced Ter Stegen to scramble down to his right to save.

Ireland were reduced

to 10 men two minutes later as Carruthers was shown a second yellow for a late tackle on another substitute, Leonardo Bittencourt.

The Germans were able to take their foot off the gas after that without ever looking seriously threatened. The fourth did eventually come with six minutes left. A slip from Smith let the ball fall for the newly-introduced Phillip Hoffman on the edge of the area and he smashed a powerful drive low past McCarey.

Ireland are back in action next month when they meet Romania.

12 September 2013 SWORDS Gazette 31

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Fingallians set for junior championships  sport@gazettegroup.com

FINGALLIANS face yet another big date this Sunday as they hope to finally land some silverware after an eventful couple of weeks for the Swords club.

Their Junior D footballers are in the semifinals of their championship where they will

meet St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh at 2.15pm in Balgriffin in the first of a doubleheader at Innisfails’ ground.

To date, they have seen off St Peregrine’s in the opening round with a narrow 1-9 to 0-9 win before opening up with some impressive wins, netting seven goals in

their last two games to eliminate Ballyboughal and O’Toole’s.

It follows their Junior B side’s run to the championship final a fortnight ago in which Fins were undone by an impressive Whitehall Colmcilles side.

Then, the ladies footballers produced a strong fightback

last Friday night in the senior championship in Parnell Park to earn a replay against Na Fianna. They play again in midweek in the rematch.

On the other side of the Junior B draw, Wild Geese take on St Pat’s Palmerstown at 3.45pm, also in Balgriffin on Sunday.

football: late strikes mean draw in senior final

Club Noticeboard fingallians True grit, fight and determination

Athletic Update: Training is now

were all very evident as the senior

back in full swing in preparation

ladies never gave up in their champi-

for the juvenile cross country race

onship final draw on Friday evening.

in Ardgillan Park. Please contact

The replay is this Wednesday in Par-

jdevansathletic@hotmail.com for

nell Park.

further information.

Our intermediate hurlers

Diary date: The club’s four th

advanced to the quarter-finals of

annual coaching conference will

the championship after beating St

take place on Saturday, October

Mark’s 2-9 to 1-6. Setanta are next

26. It is open to all adult and juve-

up, details to follow.

nile mentors. The theme this year

The minor footballers started their championship campaign in style with a big win over neighbours Fingal Ravens on Sunday morning.

is “Making a difference through the years”.

This is the last week for All-Ireland football ticket applications.

Our academy will commence after

The club shop will re-open on Sat-

the summer break this Saturday,

urday morning after the summer

September 14. Football and hurling

holidays at 10am.

for boys and girls. New members are

Alan Leetch Memorial Family Fun

welcome aged four to seven years.

Day in aid of suicide prevention and

Please call in for further details

awareness: This will take place in

from 10 to 11.30am.

the club on Saturday, September 14,

Camogie update: The omens are

from 1pm. The sporting highlight will

good as our U-14s and U-9s beat Na

be a Paul Flynn selection v Darren

Fianna at the weekend. Our U-9s

Daly selection of Alan’s friends. The

also had another blitz win. Check

evening highlights will be the auction

out the club Facebook page for pho-

of a unique signed Dublin jersey and

tos of the new U-8 jerseys.

include live entertainment.

st finian’s Fingallians’ Lyndsey Davey goes in search of the winning score in injury time last week. Picture: GAApics.com

Hudson’s free nets replay for Fingallians Dublin SFC final Fingallians Na Fianna  sport@gazettegroup.com

2-6 2-6

Fingallians’ Fiona Hudson was the last minute heroine last week when the Lawless Park ladies came back to secure a replay in their Tesco Home Grown Dublin senior county final against Na Fianna.

An impossibly tight encounter between the two top ladies teams in Dublin football did not disappoint, with Hudson’s late free bringing the teams back to do it all again this week in

Parnell Park.

An end-to-end opening that saw a close fight between the midfields and half forwards kept the ball moving between the teams until Na Fianna’s Aoife Nolan scored the opening goal of the match, before Niamh Rickard responded with a point for her side.

An ankle injury for Niamh Hurley meant that the influential Fins player could not continue, and was replaced by Victoria Browne.

Possession and points passed between the teams but it was the goal that was the gap between

the teams at half time, Na Fianna leading by 1-3 to 0-3.

The see-saw nature of the tie continued from the off in the second half, with points being scored by both sides in equal measure.

However, the balance of the game switched when Na Fianna kept the pressure on with a goal scored by Fiona Tuite.

Seeing their final aspirations evaporating, Fingallians upped a gear and were rewarded when they turned possession over and marauded up the pitch

for Amy McGuinness to score a point for her side, before their first goal came from the boot of Hudson, whose shot initially appeared to be saved before the Na Fianna keeper mistimed her save and the ball nestled in the net.

McGuinness once again was the saviour when her late strike found the net again, bringing the scores to a single point in the difference, before Hudson’s free tied the encounter and meant that Fingallians live to battle for the crown once again this week.

Special congratulations go to our

Raffle tickets (€5) for two All-Ireland

U-11 camogie girls who completed a

tickets are available from team men-

remarkable season by achieving their

tors or committee members before

eighth win out of eight games, beat-

September 18.

ing Commercials and thereby wrap-

The St Finian’s football mini-leagues

ping up top place in their league. Well

will take place from September 15 to 19

done to all the girls and mentors Nuala

in River Valley. The leagues are open to

Halpin and Suzanne O’Shaughnessy.

boys and girls aged five to 12.

Our minor footballers started their

Our fashion show is on the night

championship campaign with a draw

before the All-Ireland football final,

against St Damian’s in an exciting

September 21. Tickets are €20 and

game in River Valley.

available from the club office.

Paid-up members who wish to

The Lotto jackpot was €2,200 and

apply for a ticket for the All-Ireland

the numbers drawn were 1, 7, 18 and 24.

football final must contact the office

There was no winner. The €50 Lucky

on 01-8132656 or email stfiniansgaas-

Dip winners were Jean McGill and

words@dublin.ie before Tuesday, Sep-

Margaret Davis. Next week’s jackpot

tember 17 at 9pm.

will be €2,300.

fingal ravens Thanks to all members who attended

and participants do not need to be

our club AGM last week.

members. For further information,

Hard luck to our U-13, U-14 and minor teams who were defeated at the weekend. Congratulations to the U-16s on a great league win.

contact Maura Norton on 087 993 6458.

Duck race will take place on Sunday, September 29, at 2pm at Kinsella’s

Our senior team play St Maur’s in

Bridge, Lispopple. Ducks are €5 each,

the Garristown tournament on Tues-

available from Ann Fox 086 177 1027; we

day evening. Throw in is at 8pm in

will also have a raffle on the day for a

Garristown.

real duck.

A Strictly Come Dancing informa-

Lotto: Numbers drawn were 3, 10, 17

tion night will take place this Thurs-

and 25. There was no winner. €250 to

day, September 12, in the Arkle Suite

Roisin Griffin for matching three num-

of Kettle’s Hotel at 8pm. All welcome

bers. Next week’s jackpot is €7,935.

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

do it again: Fingallians ladies come back to secure a draw in the 2013 football championship P31

September 12, 2013

hooked on fitness: New approach to training from Ireland international P29

Swords Celtic manager Larry Clare says the prospect of facing Wayside Celtic is “one of the attractions of being back in intermediate football”

Swords to face Wayside Tough draw in FAI Intermediate Cup for Celtic as they prepare to face one of the strongest LSL Sunday Senior team in Jackson Park

 stephen findlater

sport@gazettegroup.com

SWORDS Celtic boss Larry Clare admitted there were not too many tougher names that his side could have drawn from the hat following his club’s return to the FAI Intermediate Cup. His side must travel to the far end of the M50 to meet perennial LSL Sunday Senior challengers Wayside Celtic in Jackson Park, a side residing three divisions above them in the league chain.

In the past month, they reached the semi-final of the Leinster Senior League Cup, ousting League of Ireland side Bray Wanderers before

bowing out to Shamrock Rovers.

But Clare says that it is a big boost to test his squad against higher ranked opposition and see what their target is for the coming years having recently moved up from the junior football ranks.

“It’s going to be a difficult tie against Wayside,” he told GazetteSport. “They are one of the top sides in the Leinster Senior League and regularly lock horns with League of Ireland sides and do themselves justice.

“It’s a tough old draw but that is what you want to be pitting yourself against. It is one of the attractions of being back in intermediate football but I would have maybe preferred getting them a round or two later but,

hey look, you have to go with whatever way the dice rolls.”

His side have shown few nerves about their new surroundings, defeating a fancied Parkvilla 3-0 and Ratoath 4-1 before falling to Templeogue last weekend.

“It was great to get a couple of good wins under our belt and it settled us down. We lost 1-0 to Templeogue last weekend in a very tight game that we could possibly have got a draw out of. Things like that happen over a season and you might get three points on another day when you don’t deserve them. We played well but got nothing from it but it’s all positive.

“My goal from the start of the season was promotion. There’s three up and three down

so I think it’s an achievable goal.”

He is facing a few challenges to juggle his panel with star striker Robbie Farrell out for a month among other issues to be managed.

“We have some fellas leaving, some getting married, some playing Gaelic and some on holidays so we always have to try and add to the squad and get stronger while at the same time trying to keep the bond.

“You think you have a strong squad and then one or two guys will get injured. All of a sudden it’s not quite there; it’s swings and roundabouts that go with a season. Sometimes you have guys who come in and surprise you with what they can do so I’m still very upbeat about the season.”