blanch

Election posters bring a risk of fines

LAURA WEBB

DUBLIN West byelection candidates are so eager to get their campaign started that they risk facing a €150 litter fine for putting up elec-tion posters days before the writ was officially called.

Election posters from a number of candidates in the upcoming Dublin West byelection have been spot-ted by local residents across

D15, days before the Dublin County returning officer offi-cially called the election.

Under legislation, election posters are only allowed to be erected 30 days before the polling date, or the date the writ is formally ordered, which ever is the lesser. The writ was formally moved on Tuesday, October 4.

Full Story on Page 4

YOUR COMMUNITY • YOUR PAPER October 6, 2011

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES .........8 and 10

TRAVEL ......................... 24

BUSINESS .................... 18

MOTORS ....................... 23

ENTERTAINMENT ........ 25

CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

Rugby: Coolmine RFC register double over GardaPage 28

Football: Erin Go Bragh reach championship quarter-finalsPage 32

RECYCLE THIS COPY. KEEP DUBLIN TIDY.

INSIDE: Pop-Up Bank gives out some top

fi nancial advice P10

FREE GAZETTEGAZETTEBlanch

On yer bike: Taking part in a charity cycle for the hospiceLAST week we brought you a great story about a fantastic charity cycle involving 130 gardai in aid of St Fran-cis Hospice which had local Holly-wood star Brendan Gleeson showing up to wave them off on their journey.

This week, we are bringing you a whole gallery which shows the great support this worthwhile event attract-ed. Pictured taking part were Rebecca Doohan and Mervyn Henson.Full Galley on Page 8

YOUR PENSION: Our essential guide for planning your future See Pages 19-22

Enjoy a rail-y good break in Northern Ireland

TRAVEL: P24

2 BLANCH GAZETTE 6 October 2011

LAURA WEBB

FINGAL county council “acknowledges” a resi-dents’ petition calling on the local authority to restore a full-time park ranger in Hartstown Park, but believes the new mobile service is working successfully.

There has been huge opposition from Hart-stown residents to the recent changes in the park ranger services. The service was changed from a static service to a mobile service, meaning park rangers are not sta-tioned at just one park.

Signatures were gath-ered from residents in Hartstown calling on the council to restore a full-time park ranger to their local park. Local Labour councillor and Dublin West byelection candidate, Patrick Nulty, handed the petition to council officials.

During a recent area committee meeting in Blanchardstown, Cllr Nulty asked FCC man-agement to restore a full-time ranger to Hart-stown Park.

Responding to the councillor, a spokes-person for FCC said the council “acknowledged” the petition signed by local residents, but did not agree to make chang-es to the new system.

“As previously report-ed to the area commit-tee, the park ranger sys-tem in Dublin 15 was recently changed from a static service to a more mobile visible service. As a result of the changes

the rangers are no longer permanently stationed in Hartstown Park, but visit a number of parks in Dublin 15,” the spokes-person said.

“The indications since these changes have been made are that they have been successful so far, particularly with regard to the new areas which we can now cover. There has also been no notice-able deterioration in the condition of Hartstown Park. It is still widely used during the day by the public, and the sports clubs have not registered any complaints to the council in this regard.

“Seven new litter bins have been installed in the park in the last month at strategic and conven-ient locations. This is a huge improvement on the previous situation, and the park rangers are responsible for the emp-tying of the bins when in the park.

“Other improvements are also planned for the park in 2011, particularly around the boundaries, which are a continua-tion of the extensive pro-gramme of park improve-ments commenced in 2009,” the spokesperson added.

MEETING: LOCALS LOBBY FINGAL COUNCIL

Petition to restore D15 park ranger

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‘Seven new litter bins have been installed in the last month at convenient locations’- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

SOCIAL ‘A hot issue during the byelection campaign’

A&E cuts protested as Minister visits hospital

LAURA WEBB

AN official visit by the Health Minister, James Reilly, to open a new unit at Connolly Hospital was interrupted by protestors opposing cuts to services at the D15 hospital.

The Health Minister was on site at Connolly Hospital on Monday to officially open the 20,000 sq ft state-of-the-art Endoscopy unit, one of the largest facilities in Ireland.

However, his visit was not welcomed by all as a number of protestors lob-bying against cuts to the services at the hospital were there to make their feelings known.

Socialist Party bye-

lection candidate and Mulhuddart Councillor, Ruth Coppinger, was at the protest. According to Cllr Coppinger there are threats to services in the hospital and to the 24-hour Accident and Emergency department there.

“This protest coincides with a visit by Minis-ter Reilly who is here to open an Endoscopy unit. The opening of this unit is welcome, but there is a plain irony that it is taking place against a backdrop of cuts in other services and the downgrading of an A and E that services a catchment area with a population over 100,000.

“I am committed to making the downgrad-

ing of the hospital a hot issue during the impend-ing byelection campaign. There are positive indica-tions that the community want to get active on this issue. The campaign will be hosting a debate on the issue of the future of Blanchardstown hospital to which all candidates and the two ministers in the constituency will be invited,” Cllr Coppinger said.

But Fine Gael byelec-tion candidate Eithne

Loftus believes it’s time Sinn Fein and the Social-ists “stop scare-mon-gering” because there is “no plans to downgrade the A&E service at Con-nolly”.

“The Minister for Health, Dr. James Reilly, today stated that there will be no changes to the level of services operat-ing at Blanchardstown Hospital A&E. He made his comments while per-forming the official open-ing of the new Endoscopy department,” Councillor Loftus said.

“I attended the open-ing along with my other constituency colleague, Minister Leo Varad-kar, and Minster Reilly was unequivocal in his

comments – he said the idea was not even in the back of his mind, that it simply was not practical to reduce services,” she added.

“I am calling on repre-sentatives from Sinn Féin and the Socialist parties to accept the Minister’s statement and to put an end to their scare-mon-gering. The A&E service is to remain intact and any reports to the contrary on this is simply an attempt to scramble for votes, ahead of the bye-election at the end of this month.

“Today’s announce-ment is great news for the people of Dublin West and indeed the wider Dublin community,” she said.

An official visit to Blanchardstown Hospital by Health Minister James Reilly (inset) was greeted with a protest this week

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‘Minister Reilly is here to open an Endoscopy unit ’- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

6 October 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 3

LAURA WEBB

[email protected]

FINGAL County Council has received a planning application from Irish Rail for a temporary car park adjacent to Hansfield Train Station.

The train station has been lying idle for over a year because an access road to it has not been built. Recently it was announced that building on the access road is to start this year.

Now a planning appli-cation from Irish Rail has been submitted to the planning department of Fingal County Council seeking permission for a temporary 198-space car park adjacent to the train station in Hansfield, Dub-lin 15.

In the planning descrip-tion, Irish Rail also intends to alter the original plan-ning application for the access road (F08A/0488) by increasing the six car park-ing spaces to nine spaces.

Car park planning

TRANSPORTSPORT Council, FAI launch innovative new Stay Active programme

Teaming up with free events to aid local jobless

MIMI MURRAY

[email protected]

FINGAL County Coun-cil have teamed up with the FAI to launch a new innovative Stay Active programme aimed at men and women aged 18-50 years who are job seekers, unemployed and particularly long-term unemployed .

This free programme will take place at three locations across the county and is run over three phases, starting with week-day recrea-tional five-a-side football, progressing to FAI Coach education courses for interested participants and finishing with link-ing to local clubs to assist with coaching underage

teams. Co-ordinated by Fin-

gal County Council/FAI development officers Paul Keogh, Michael Pender and Sharon Boyle, the programme will be rolled out in Balbriggan, Swords and Mulhuddart, and is fully supported by Fin-gal Leader partnership, Community Gardai, and Rapid in Blanchardstown and Fingal County Coun-cil’s sports unit.

Capture

Chief Executive of the FAI, John Delaney, said: “The Stay Active League pilot scheme is one that I hope will capture the interest of people who are currently out of work. As we all know, the unem-ployment rate is increas-

ing and we are happy to use our game, in partner-ship with local authorities, to address this difficult social issue. Sport, and the motivation it provides, has an important role to play in assisting people, who, through no fault of their own, find themselves without a job. If the pilot schemes prove success-ful we hope to be able to roll it out in other areas through our co-funded development officers.”

Commenting on the programme, Marion Brown, Principal Sports officer with Fingal Coun-ty Council said: “We can’t underestimate the huge social benefit of an ini-tiative such as this, which allows people to develop and improve their sports

and fitness skills, and encourages them to become involved in their communities.

U n e m p l o y m e n t , particularly long-term unemployment can be damaging to people’s confidence and self-esteem, and the proven health and social ben-efits of sport and active lifestyles can help reduce

these issues in a positive manner. Fingal County Council fully support this initiative.”

The programme will start in Glebe North All-Weather, Balbriggan on October 12 between 12pm and 1.30pm and will run every Wednesday. Contact [email protected] or call 086-0444435; Rivervalley All-Weather,

Swords starts October 12 between 12pm and 1.30pm and runs every Wednesday.

Contact [email protected] or call 087-1273258. At Mulhuddart All Weath-er it begins on Octo-ber 27 and runs every Thursday from 12pm to 1.30pm. Contact [email protected] or call 087-1323260.

Giovanni Trapattoni, oversees team training


Candidates jumping the gun with posters

POLITICS ‘Should be classified as litter’

LAURA WEBB

[email protected]

DUBLIN West byelec-tion candidates could face litter fines for putting up election posters days before the byelection was officially called.

Election posters from a number of candidates have been seen by local residents up to three days before the byelection was officially called by the Dublin County returning officer on Tuesday, Octo-ber 4.

One Dublin 15 resident was on his way home on October 1 and noticed Socialist Party candidate Councillor Ruth Cop-pinger’s election posters up on the Blanchards-town Road South and said “it is illegal to have

posters up before the bye-lection is called which is on Tuesday evening”.

Sinn Fein’s byelection candidate, Paul Donnel-ly, had posters up around Dublin 15 for a few days before the official announcement, promot-ing his election campaign launch.

Another Dublin 15 resident noticed Labour’s candidate Cllr Patrick Nulty’s posters on the Ongar Road roundabout a day before the byelec-tion was officially called.

“I think that until the election has been called, these [posters] should be classified as litter and those responsible should be fined,” the resident told the Gazette.

Fianna Fail candidate, Cllr David McGuinness,

had put up election post-ers in Dublin 15 on the morning of the official announcement.

Under legislation for the governing of election posters, posters are only allowed to be erected for a certain specified time period before an election – either 30 days before the poll date or (b) from the date the polling day order (or equivalent) for the election has been completed, whichever provides the shorter peri-od of time.

The byelection was officially called by the Dublin County returning officer on Tuesday, Octo-ber 4. An on-the-spot fine of €150 for breach of leg-islation could be served to candidates by the local authority.

Responding to the issue, Socialist Party Director of Elections and Dublin West TD Joe Hig-gins said it’s “a non-issue” and that critical issues like unemployment, cuts to Connolly Hospital and withdrawal of spe-cial needs assistants from schools, are issues “that must take precedence”.

“The notice of motion of the Writ was given in the Dail last week and should have been moved last week but both Fian-na Fail and Fine Gael delayed for their own reasons of not having

candidates long enough in place or wanting the shortest possible window for the election. This is a manipulation of the law for party political rea-sons, is undemocratic and highly unfair on the peo-ple of Dublin West who deserve ample notice of the byelection and adequate time to engage with the campaigns,” the director said.

Councillor Patrick Nulty (Lab) said he sought permission from Fingal County Council to put up poster before the writ. “On Monday morning I rang FCC, who regulate the postering, and said that two other parties had posters up before the writ, and did I have permission to put up posters. The Director of Services in FCC gave me permission to put up posters. None of my post-ers went up without prior consent from the author-ity that regulates it.”

Campaign spokesper-son for Fianna Fail candi-date David McGuinness said: “Our posters were put up overnight in antic-ipation of the writ being moved for the byelection today [Tuesday]. This was in response to the actions of the Coppinger, Nulty and Donnelly campaigns, who had already erected their posters throughout the constituency.”

Campaign posters adorn the lamppost Socialist Ruth Coppinger poster


ADDITIONAL informa-tion on a planning appli-cation for a new nursing home facility situated north of the Waterville Housing development has been submitted to Fingal County Council.

The Adroit Company submitted the clarification of additional information to the planning depart-ment of the local author-ity on September 20.

The proposed devel-opment consists of the demolition of an existing disused hospital boiler house complex and the construction of a nursing home facility, including 104 single en-suite bed-rooms.

Nursing home

COUNCIL

Healthy times: TV talent launches Kellogg’s All-Bran New road show

IRELAND AM presenter Sinead Desmond helped to launch the Kellogg’s Feel All-Bran New road show this week. The road show will visit six regional centres across the country throughout October, kick-ing off at the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre on October 15.

IT’S YOUR POETRY

It’s all gone from Tigerland, all gone forever, The builders and the bankers say, “We’re all in this together”. They must have necks of rhino hide or balls of pure titanium,

Yet when they yank the puppet strings we all rush in to save them.

The Cunning One, he tamed the beast; at least that’s what he told us, He threw a saddle on her back and a harness o’er her shoulders.

He rode in pomp from west to east, dispensing wealth and favour, He flogged the Magic Beast to death, nothing now can save her.

It’s all gone to Kingdom Come, all gone to FTSE Hades,

All we want is a couple of bob and a home to raise our babies.

The Queen of Tarts, some thought her smart, her Big Plan was a folly, She left a trail of broken hearts and patients on a trolley.

Don’t fall off the gravy train or develop a condition, This is no land for the sick or old as it tumbles towards perdition.

The ghost boys on the merry go round were born to times of plenty,

They stripped the gilded horses bare, now their pockets are all empty. The stride with hands behind their backs and smiling double faces, All they want is a corporate trough and a tent at the Galway Races.

It’s all gone to idle hands, all gone to casual malice,

All we need is little bread, some red wine in the chalice.

It’s all gone to penury for this splendid little nation, No milk left, the Tiger’s tit has shrivelled with deflation.

It’s all gone for the babes in arms, all gone to indentured labour, The water rises hour by hour, but the ships have left the harbour.

Splendid Little Nation (Apologies to Louis McNeice)

D.O’Laighin, Tyrrelstown, Dublin 15

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Fingal County Council first for age-friendly

EVENT Discussing issues of concern to older people

Minister for Health, James Reilly, attended the event which launched Fingal as an age-friendly county

FINGAL County Coun-cil has become the first county in the Dublin region to go age-friendly and will support any future developments under its new age-friend-ly county initiative.

A special event at the Europa Academy in Swords, and host-ed by RTE’s Miriam O’Callaghan, launched Fingal as an age-friendly county.

On the day, repre-sentatives from Active R e t i r e m e n t / S e n i o r Citizen’s and Over 55 groups, and representa-tives from statutory

and state-funded agen-cies and organisations attended the event, where it discussed issues of concern to older peo-ple and explored new ways of dealing with these concerns.

T he in i t i a t ive i s described as a new opportunity, both for Statutory and State-Funded Agencies, Com-munity and Voluntary Organisations and older people themselves, to plan differently by con-sulting with older peo-ple and by delivering on services for older people in the county in a col-

laborative way.Fingal County man-

ager, David O’Connor thanked everyone for their commitment to the initiative.

He assured partici-pants that all of the issues, concerns and ideas raised as part of the day’s event would be considered and acted upon where possible.

He promised that Fin-gal County Council, in collaboration with State and State-funded agen-cies and community and voluntary organisations, were committed to deliv-ering on an age-friendly

strategy for Fingal.Minister for Health,

James Reilly reminded participants that Ire-land was going to have substantially greater numbers of older people in the future and that we needed to challenge the assumption that this might be a negative

prospect.“Playing our cards

right, means having age-friendly policies and programmes in place so people enjoy the possible quality of life as they grow older; older people should be able to live health-ily and independently.

They should be active participants in their own communities,” said Minister Reilly

Noel Mulvihill, HSE, assistant national direc-tor of Services to Older People, welcomed the collaboration of all statu-tory, voluntary and private agencies coming together with a shared vision to make age friendly happen in Fingal.

“It is only through consulting that we really know what older peo-ple want, but that this should not just be about older people, but for all of Fingal to ask.”

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INVESTMENT: JOBS CREATION

DUBLIN North has received some much-needed direct funding for job creation, accord-ing to Fine Gael TD, Alan Farrell.

“Fingal County Enter-prise board will receive extra funding for job creation over the coming months,” Deputy Farrell said whilst commenting on the announcement by Minister for Small Business, John Perry, this week, that a further €3.1 million will be allo-cated to City and Coun-ty Enterprise Boards for direct investment in job creation, as a result of savings in his depart-ment this year.

“This is great news for the Fingal County Enterprise Board, who will be in receipt of an extra €175,000 this year, which, in turn, will create up to 18 jobs in Dublin North.

“Having previously served as both director and a member of the Fingal County Enter-prise Board, I find it very encouraging that there is sufficient demand from projects in Dublin North to justify these requests, and this shows that the start-up spirit is alive and well in the area.

Support“The provision of this

additional funding to support businesses is further evidence of the Government’s commit-ment to the small busi-ness sector.

“If we are to get out of this crisis, it is crucial that we strive in every way possible to encour-age the start-up and expanding businesses that will create the jobs of the future.

“The County and City Enterprise Boards around the country have a key role to play in providing much-needed capital for these businesses,” he said.

Vital funding boost for Dublin North

6 October 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 7011 BLANCH GAZETTE 7

With Jim LaceyPhone: 087-2401308

Email: [email protected]

Laurel LodgeCarpenterstown

The group held a similar event this time last year which was very well receivedI

was fingering the small change in my pocket wondering if it was

worth my while having a little punt on the Dublin West byelection.

Paddy Power was giv-ing the following odds last Saturday – Patrick Nulty, Labour 5/4, Ruth Coppinger, Socialist Party 9/4, Eithne Lof-tus, Fine Gael 9/4, David McGuinness, Fianna Fail 11/2, Paul Donnelly, Sinn Fein 22/1 and Rod-erick O’Gorman, Green Party 80/1.

I tried to second-guess Paddy Power and looked at the candidates and decided to eliminate the long shots.

I hasten to add I mean eliminate them from my choice in the bet-ting stakes - nothing else intended.

One has to be care-ful of one’s words when we see the dissection of phrases, sentences, even punctuation in the Presi-dential debate.

So I eliminated Roder-ick O’Gorman, a decent guy and a hard worker,

but I don’t think the Greens have been forgiv-en yet for their participa-tion in an administration that did so much damage to the country.

I am also discounting David McGuinness for the same reason.

The late Brian Leni-han’s retention of his seat was purely a personality vote and owed nothing to his membership of Fian-na Fail – in fact it was in spite of that membership that he retained his seat.

Curiously David may benefit from people mix-ing up their McGuin-ness’s, on the other hand he could lose votes for the same reason.

Paul Donnelly is also unlikely to get a seat on this occasion from a rise in Sinn Fein support as the increase required would have to treble his last vote of 6.1% to leave him in with a chance.

On the other hand, Martin McGuinness’s pa r t i c i pa t i on may encourage more Sinn Fein voters out.

However, Sinn Fein are

not yet as transfer friend-ly so that leaves us with Patrick Nulty Labour, Ruth Coppinger, Social-ist Party and Eithne Lof-tus, Fine Gael.

Last time Labour got 29% first preferences, Fine Gael got 27.2% first preferences and the Socialist Party got 19%.

Eithne Loftus would be well known in the Castleknock/Park Ward and secured 3,023 votes in the council elections. However, the elimina-tions of the Sinn Fein, Fianna Fail and Green candidates are unlikely to favour her as much as the other two remaining candidates from Labour and the Socialist Party.

So, Eithne Loftus needs to secure at least every percentage point of the 27.2% Fine Gael got last time and, as she has not stood as a Dail candi-date since 1989, it will be some trick to pull off.

Ruth Coppinger is bet-ter known in the Mul-huddart Ward and needs to keep the 19% Joe Hig-gins secured in the last

General Election. I believe most of Joe

Higgins vote was a per-sonal vote and Ruth Coppinger is unlikely to get 19% first prefer-ences, for those reasons I am eliminating both Ruth Coppinger and Eithne Loftus from my choices and going to put my loose change on Patrick Nulty the Labour candidate.

The Labour Party got 29% of the first prefer-ences in the last General Election, of which Patrick Nulty got 6.3%.

That is the highest per-centage achieved previ-ously by any of the stand-ing candidates. (Kieran Dennison of Fine Gael got 7.5% last time but is not standing).

So, my money is on Patrick Nulty to capture the seat for Labour and a great tussle for second place between Loftus and Coppinger.

In any event, if nothing else it will be an insight-ful foretaste of what is in store for us in the next General Election.

Under starter’sorders in the West

Benefit night and

auctionTHE Niall Mellon Township Trust is the largest provider of social housing in South Africa. Over the past 10 years they have provided homes for 80,000 shanty dwellers.

Alan O’Rafferty and friends are hosting a Gala Dinner and auction/raffle on Saturday, October 22 at 8pm in Castleknock Golf Club. The Simple Side will provide music on the night. Tickets for a great night’s entertainment and for a very good cause are only €30 per person. Contact Alan O’Rafferty at 087-6241361 for tickets.

New radio show I AM presenting a regular programme of yarns, history and

music every second Tuesday at 11.30am on Phoenix FM. My next program will be on Tuesday, October 18 on Phoenix FM.

The program is entitled Rambles in Dublin West with Jim Lacey, and is a lighthearted look at history and heritage, with a few yarns and some light music.

Tune in to Phoenix FM at 92.5 and have a listen.

Hamilton Walk THE annual Hamilton Walk

takes place on Sunday, October 16 and is organised by Fiacre O’Cairbre of the Mathematics faculty of Maynooth College.

The walk is scheduled to leave Dunsink Observatory between 2pm and 2.30pm and the route is through the fields to Dunsinea Cross, Ashtown, and along the

Royal Canal from the 10th lock at Ashtown to Hamilton Bridge, Cabra (formerly Broome Bridge and still not designated it’s correct name in signposting by local authorities and Irish Rail).

The walk commemorates William Rowan Hamilton’s discovery of quaternions while walking along the canal with his wife on October 16, 1843. Without this important mathematical discovery we would not have radio, television, space exploration, radar or, heaven forbid, computer games.

It’s an idyllic walk across a pathway through the fields and along the pleasant waters of the Royal Canal.

To participate telephone the organiser Fiacre O’Cairbre at 7083763 and he will book your place on the walk.

AN evening of music and song will be hosted by Mary Flynn (soprano) and friends in St Mochta’s Church, Porterstown, on Friday, October 21 at 8pm. Tickets at €15 each are available from the Parish Office at St Mochta’s or contact Sally at 085-2869380 or Mary at 087-2585398.

The concert is in aid of two very good charities, St Francis Hospice Blanchardstown and The Rise Foun-dation, a support group for families with a loved one in addiction.

The performers on the night will be Mary Flynn soprano, Mary and Ter-esa O’Donnell harpists, Jane Hughes cellist, Eoin Tierney on keyboard, Jon Henderson on guitar and vocalists Fr Marino Nguekam, Susan Dowling and Patricia Bourke.

Mary Flynn and harpists Mary and Teresa O’Donnell have been perform-ing together over the last 10 years.

The group have performed in three continents and have appeared on RTE, BBC, CNN and NBC.

Songs for a winter’s evening


Actor shows supportH

OLLYWOOD star Brendan Gleeson took time out from his busy career to show his support for a local charity when he was on hand to wave off

130 gardai who were participating in a charity cycle in aid of St Francis Hospice. The cycle started at the new St Francis Hospice in Dublin 15 and went to Kilkenny in one day. Both Brendan’s father and mother were cared for by the team at hospice in Raheny so he was only to happy to help the fantastic work he says that the staff and the hospice do.

Visiting the new state-of-the-art hospice in Blan-chardstown, he said he was amazed to see how it looks. “It is phenomenal, light, air and space, I was staggered by it. I have been trying to get out during the sum-mer and I haven’t been able to, but being here today I couldn’t believe it, its phenomenal.”

Mayor Gerry Maguire with Paul Donna and William Sharkey Gerry Keogh and Greg Reddin

Bernadette Gillis, Darah Hannigan, Ethel McKenna (CEO), Sr Patricia Walsh, Brendan Gleeson, Bernie O’Hare, Aine MacCallan,

Nora McCarrick, Dee Kinnane and Sr Margaret CashmanJamie Dernisse and Gemma Brown

Garda Paul Doona, William Sharkey, Brendan Gleeson, Chief Superintendent Declan Coburn, Inspestor John Kelly

Rebecca Doohan and Mervyn Henson Dan Joe O’Mahony and Barry Hreffernan

EVENT 130 gardai participate in a cycle for local hospice


Popping in for top financial adviceA COLLABORATION “with

a difference” between state support agencies, financial

institutions and BES investment companies took place during Fingal Enterprise Week.

Aimed at small businesses and entrepreneurs looking for advice around loans, grants,

venture capital funds and Business Expansion Scheme investments, the Pop-Up Bank was the brainchild of the Fingal County Enterprise Board.

Billed as a drop-in exhibi-tion of financing options for new start-ups and existing businesses, the free event also

offered enterprise workshops and confidential mentoring ses-sions with experienced business people.

Organisers also gave busi-ness owners and managers the opportunity to meet financial advisors, accountants and legal professionals.

Motorcycle touring company owner and Fingal Enterprise Award finalist, Paul Rawlins, from celticrider.com, Oisin Geoghegan, CEO, Fingal County Enterprise Board and Garrett Maher, GPM

Distributors

Neal Morrison and Ruth Bereton, from McInerney Saunders

Eric Chaloner, mentor with Finglas County Enterprise board, mark Zhant who was receiving advice on setting up

a new company

Fingal Mayor Gerry McGuire and Oisin Geoghegan, CEO, Fingal County

Enterprise Board checking out the Heineken Cup

EVENT Pop-Up Bank opens at Fingal’s Europa Academy

R1

LEILA JOHARI

FOR many people autumn can be a gloomy time. Summer has ended, holidays are over, days are getting darker and colder. There is not much to look forward to and often people feel slightly depressed and low.

Autumn doesn’t have to be this way. It can be seen as a second new year. It is the perfect time to rev up your energy lev-els and prepare for those winter months.

Poor eating habits can lead to lack of energy, anxiety and depression. By understanding bal-anced eating, it is easy improve your energy lev-els and boost your mood. To function properly, your body needs a daily intake of a full range of essential nutrients, including a vari-ety of fruits, vegetables, pulses, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish and healthy oils such as olive.

The foods we eat con-tain two main categories

of nutrients. Macronutri-ents include proteins, car-bohydrates and fats, and provide energy. Vitamins and minerals are micro-nutrients found in fruit and vegetables. They play a critical role in main-taining the body’s normal functions and processes. The key to achieving a healthy, well-balanced diet is to eat a wide vari-ety of different foods.

Raw materials

Levels of depression are higher among people eating mostly junk food. These foods are heavily processed and contain additives. People who eat lots of junk foods tend not to eat enough healthy food. In simple terms, your body and brain are made from the foods you eat – if you don’t give it the basic raw materials then nothing will work the way it should. If you put unleaded petrol in a car that runs on diesel the consequences would not be good!

So, what foods are best

to avoid and what foods are best to eat in order to achieve optimum health?

A high-sugar diet can affect our mood. While high levels of sugar in the blood make us feel better temporarily it is followed by a sugar crash that causes a severe dip in mood. Instead of snack-ing on sugary foods, such as cakes and biscuits, choose foods, such as oatcakes, which help bal-ance blood sugar levels by releasing energy slowly.

Junk foods contain saturated fats. Such fats are unhealthy and on digestion can release a lot of toxins into your body. Saturated fats are found in foods, such as red meat, cheese, butter and cakes.

There are certain nutri-ents that are particularly beneficial for keeping the brain, and so our moods, healthy. Iron is essential for healthy brain develop-ment and is found in lean red meat, chicken, turkey, green vegetables, such as

spinach and pulses. Antioxidants help to

protect the body from toxins and keep blood vessels healthy. The best sources of antioxidants are fresh fruit and veg-etables.

It is the perfect season for apples which help fight the effects of bad cholesterol and prevent heart disease. Next time you want dessert, why not try a stewed apple with cinnamon?

Omega-3 fats are essential for healthy brain function. They can be as effective as some antide-pressants in treating mild depression. Oil-rich fish such as mackerel, salm-on and trout are good sources.

Finally, B vitamins, especially thiamine, improve mood. The best sources are B vitamins are found in high-fibre foods, such as whole grain cere-als and bread, and in forti-fied milk and yogurt.

This autumn don’t let your mood fall like the leaves!

GazetteNUTRITIONNUTRITIONFEEDING THE BODY AND MIND: LEILA JOHARI EXPLAINS HOW FOOD EFFECTS MOOD

Kick the autumn blues with some healthy eating

The Gazette’s new nutrition expert, Leila Johari

6 October 2011 GAZETTE 11

PAUL HOSFORD

FOR any 18-year old, spending six weeks in a foreign country is an intimidating prospect, but for Seth Smith the chance to spend the summer after com-pleting his Leaving Cert in Sin-gapore was one that was too good to refuse.

The confident youngster, who begins studying Computer Science in Trinity this month, was part of the Digital Life Academy (DLA) an intensive six-week programme designed to inspire young people to start up their own companies. Even so, he bristles at the notion of being labelled an entrepre-neur.

“I think an entrepreneur is someone who takes on a risk. It’s a word that is thrown around a lot, but I would like to be a successful businessman.

“To be completely honest, it was quite random becom-ing involved. My friend got an email from his brother about the internship and I looked at it and thought it sounded

amazing. “So I went home and made

a video presentation and sent it off.

“Then I got a few missed calls and checked my email at about midnight and there was one saying I’d got the internship.”

Given that Singapore has spent S$1 billion setting up the Technopreneurship Invest-ment Fund (TIF) to attract and encourage companies to undertake risks of backing promising ideas, it is the ideal place to kick off the DLA and a place Seth had no problem going to.

“I’ve always been an inde-pendent type and I quite like that. I’m currently looking for an apartment myself for col-lege.”

The DLA aims to educate a new class of entrepreneurs, who thrive on the usage of social media. Interns are given training in areas like company formation, fundraising, product development, marketing and financial management. Talks feature key figures in internet

and business, including Yahoo! Inc’s David Gowdey, Google’s Julian Persaud and Ocean Group International’s Timur Sardarov.

The whole experience is one that left Seth in awe.

“It was mind-blowing. There was 33 people from 17 different countries and the atmosphere created was a serious buzz.

“We were all running around, working on various projects and it was amazing.

“I think Singapore is much more upbeat. We’d work from 9am to 8pm and you wouldn’t even notice. We’d all go for din-ner and then go back to work. It was never forced on us, but we felt obliged to do it because we enjoyed it.

“The DLA is an unforgetta-ble experience that will change your whole perspective on what it takes to start a company. I feel so fortunate in being given the opportunity to work with like-minded individuals who share the same passion as myself. Hopefully,

I will work with peo-ple like this in the future.

“The DLA is going to be repeated b e t w e e n January and March and I will be very involved and, hopefully, we’ll have an Irish person involved.”

For more, see here http://www.digital-l i feacademy.com/about

12 GAZETTE 6 October 2011

A big day at Green Isle HotelTHE Green Isle Hotel Dublin offers an inno-vative and elegant wed-ding programme with a trained, professional team to ensure that every wed-ding is truly memorable.

A combination of excel-lent menus and wines, the loveliest linens and floral arrangements and a choice of banqueting suites make choosing the perfect venue easy.

The team will work tirelessly to ensure the big day is a special one for all involved. The staff will help choose the best menu to suit every budg-et, and, with their years of experience, can advise on entertainment, wines or ideas on table decorations and photography.

All-inclusive pack-ages, such as a wedding reception for 100 guests for only €3,300, are avail-able. Call 01 4593406 to make an appointment to meet the team and see the room set for a wedding.

WEDDINGS EDUCATION Student spends six weeks in Singapore

An internship of a lifetime

Dubliner Seth Smith

took part in a six-week

programme with the Digital

Life Academy in Singapore


Wedding bliss: Ideal location for the big dayEVERY one wants to be somewhere special for their Wedding Day.

The five-star Radisson Blu St Helen’s Hotel is very special, centered on a fine 18th-century mansion set in four acres of formal gardens.

Guests get all the advantages of a world-class, five-star hotel with all of the character of a Georgian stately home, with stunning photo opportunities!

For that special wedding day, be it an intimate or large, traditional gathering, the Radisson Blu St. Helen’s Hotel can cater for both in the perfect surround-ings of the magnificent garden.

The hotel recently hosted a Wedding Fair including a fashion show on the lawns that featured newly crowned Miss Ireland, Holly Carpenter.

For further information contact Radis-son Blu St Helen’s Hotel, Stillorgan, on 01 218 6000 or visit www.radissonblu.ie/sthelenshotel-dublin, or see their facebook page on www.facebook.com/radissonblusthelensdublin.

GazettePETSPETSBrought to you by Miriam Kerins of

the DSPCA

PETS AND FAMILIES: DON’T FORGET, THERE IS MORE TO OWNING A DOG THAN WALKS

Kids, do you have what it takesto own a dog?A

S A small child, I grew up with dogs, and, as an awkward, geeky

teenager, most of the time the only friend who totally understood me was Kim-mie, my beautiful, faithful, chocolate brown Wheat-en Terrier whom my dad bought for me when I came home from hospital as a one-year-old toddler.

Kimmie remained my Almost all kids dream of having their very own dog, but answer our questions to

see if they have what it takes to take care of their new best friend

faithful best friend until his death from testicu-lar cancer when I was 17 years old.

So, it’s fair to say I love dogs; (regular readers will know this), and I always knew when I became a mom, my kids (now adults) would have dogs and would be brought up to love, care, nurture and cherish them, just as I was. And, no, we’re not the Brady Bunch; we’re more like The Simpsons.

So, when parents ask me if I believe kids and dogs go together, my answer is always going to be a resounding YES!

But I also ask the parents if they person-ally want a dog and if the answer is “NO,” then I advise them to consider asking their child who will “absolutely love and walk and care for the dog,” the following ques-tions in order to help them plan effectively for their new best friend.

So, if you’re a kid who’s trying to prove to your parents you’re capable of taking care of a dog, see how many of the fol-lowing questions you can answer:• Am I kind and gentle

when it comes to dealing

with animals?

• Have I got lots of time

to spend with a dog?

• During the past week,

how many times and

ways have I shown

kindness to people and

animals?

• Am I responsible? (This

means, that I can think

for myself).

• Do I know when the

right thing needs to be

done and do I do it?

• Do I know when

someone needs help and

do I help them?

• During the past

week, how many times

and ways have I been

responsible?

And then…I know I’m responsible, but how do I let my fam-ily know I’m responsible enough to have a dog as a pet?• Tell them about a time

when you were kind to

an animal. For example,

did you help an injured

animal? Did you feed

the birds who visit your

garden?

• Decide how much time

you’ll have to spend with

your dog and tell your

mom how you plan to

spend it. How much time

will you have to walk,

groom and play with

your dog?

• Find out what type of

food you’ll feed your dog

and how much it will cost

each week.

• Read the Dublin SPCA’s

special information

on the importance of

spaying and neutering

your dog.

• Ask your family if

everyone else living in

the house is happy to

have a dog.

When your child has read and understood the above, ask them to keep the following in mind:• Puppies are cute but

they grow into big dogs.

Not all dogs grow big but

some do; so check with

your vet and find out

what type of dog is likely

to be large and what

type is likely to remain

small.

• Dogs bark. Some bark

an awful lot of the time.

• When you take your

dog for a walk you must

pick up the poo. You

must carry poo bags

and you must bin them

properly.

• Dogs shed hair.

• Dogs can vomit.

• Dogs can chew

furniture; especially a

teething puppy.

• Dogs can pee and poo

and make a mess on the

carpet.

• Dogs can jump up

and down on your new

clothes and chew your

favourite toys.

• Dogs need to be taken

to the vet, they need to

be groomed and bathed

and they need their nails

clipped.

• Dogs get worms, ear

mites and fleas.

• Dogs can run away

from home so they must

be microchipped.

• Dogs need to be put

into boarding kennels

when you go on holiday,

or they need a pet sitter.

• Dogs need lots of

things, like leads,

collars, a kennel, a bed

for the house because

a dog must be allowed

access to your home; he

cannot be left outside all

of the time.

• And… the saddest fact

of all kids; some day,

sadly, your dog will die.

So, boys and girls, you’ve answered all of the above and are happy you still want a dog as a pet. Wonderful. Get Mom to get in touch with the Dublin SPCA; at www.dspca.ie we’ve lots of cuties just waiting on their forever homes.

For more information email me at [email protected]



GazetteMUSICMUSICMagic and hard graft the keys to music success

ROB HEIGH

THE playing field for new bands keeps changing as new media avenues open up, but one thing that stays true is that hard graft and dedication will get you to the next level.

This is especially true of local band, Last Second Magic, who are travelling to Canada next week to take part in Toronto Indie Week for the second con-secutive year.

The hardest working band in Dublin 15 have built up a dedicated fol-lowing across the city and across the wider world with their melodic styl-ings, exciting gigs and inspired cover versions.

But their ongoing suc-cess is based on more than just those strengths, as GazetteMusic found out when we spoke to lead singer, Paul Hosford.

“More and more peo-ple are getting interested in the band. We’re keen to make sure we know and understand what is work-ing for us, because there are thousands of bands out there, and you need to be smarter about that kind of thing to make sure you are seen.”

The band came from the ashes of Blanchard-stown band, A Careless Thief, and the collective have seen a number of personnel changes, which have led to a settled line-up who are reaping the rewards of hard work and understanding how to reach their audience.

“Since we went to Toronto last year, we have had a lot of change; we have had a member leave and two new ones join us, so we are a different band in many ways, includ-ing the way we approach making music.

“We were looking at

our sets, and we have only two or three songs that are still in the set from this time last year. We are still playing to our melodic and clever strengths, but there is a more crafted approach in what we do.

“This will be our third Indie Week, as we did Toronto last year, Indie Week Ireland in March and now back to Toronto. We’re playing a gig in Nia-gara Falls, and there will be a week of gigs for us.

“We learned a huge amount the last time we were there as a band. In terms of the business side of things — PR, design, how you portray yourself in the media and social media, getting things organised.”

The band came back

inspired by their last trip to Canada, and recorded and released their last EP, We Miss You, Black Sta-lin, and the expectation is that all they have learned since then, together with another great experience in front of international audiences, will see anoth-er burst of creativity and career building.

“The last EP was recorded with Lee Boylan, drummer with Fight Like Apes, and taking time to put a bit of effort and care into what we do is really important, as we learned in Toronto last year.

“When we come back, we’re planning to record a full album. We have a set of songs that we’re happy with, and our enthusiasm and energy is rising with

INTERVIEW: DUBLIN 15 BAND LEARNING THE ROPES ON THE ROAD AND ONLINE

Last Second Magic are on their way to Toronto to take part in the Indie Week showcase


SHANE DILLON

ALTHOUGH I certainly don’t want to get in the habit of returning to pre-viously mentioned titles, or to seem like I favour one console over another (as I don’t), I’m returning to Gears of War 3, as I said I would do so in my previous column.

By now, Gears has swept aside all opposi-tion in the charts, which was a sure-fire certainty for Microsoft, with Gears being a key franchise for the XBox in ways that, say, the Metal Gear Solid franchise is for PlaySta-tion.

So, having blitzed through the single-play-er campaign, as well as stormed through the multiplayer modes, how does this conclusion to the trilogy play out?

Fortunately, the series has reached a satisfy-ing conclusion, along with all of the manic set pieces and all-out action fans could expect, with an hour spent with Gears generally providing more action than many a film director’s entire canon.

And yet, lest non-gamers or mildly curious readers dismiss the game as just another frantic shooter, there’s a notice-ably thoughtful under-current underpinning the trilogy’s conclusion, thanks to the series writ-er, Karen Traviss.

Sensibly deciding that, even in such a hectic action game, the good guys don’t always win – and that heroes die just like everybody else – she’s given emotional and intellectual depth to the conclusion, for those

A highly-polished Gears

GazetteGAMINGGAMING

who look behind the vis-uals and gameplay.

And what gameplay. The single-player mode is, of course, packed full of memorable pieces, but the mutiplayer is pretty striking, In addition to the usual player-vs-player, team-vs-team modes, the most interesting, Horde,

sees a random group of people team up to fight through progressively tougher waves of enemies, requiring teamwork, skill –and a little luck.

I have to make special mention of the multiplay-er maps, with some, such as the Overpass level, providing superb visuals.

The artistry of Gears’ “destroyed beauty” in its environmental design has simply never looked better.

In short, while gamers wait for the likes of Bat-tlefield 3, and Skyrim, Gears of War 3 is a franti-cally entertaining title for adult gamers to enjoy.

Things don’t look good for Marcus and his friends as mutated Lambent attack, in a

fairly typical scene from Gears of War 3

Masterpieces re-released in HDTWO “new” PlayStation 3 titles have been re-released that are practically reason enough to buy Sony’s console. Conveniently bundled together, Ico and Shadow of the Colossus (below) are two titles that, individually and collectively, come as close to defining pure genius in gaming as any-thing else in the past 30-odd years or so.

Both titles were released on the PlayStation 2 sev-eral years ago to universal acclaim – and universally underwhelm-ing sales. Critics adored the titles, but the general gam-ing public ignored them (as the comprehensive reviews of both titles on Wikipedia may explain).

However, with both titles constantly appear-ing near the top in critics’ Best Games of All Time lists, Ico, and Shadow of the Colossus, have been re-released in HD. There’s no highly-polished rede-sign; the games re-use the same assets – but, pre-sented in crisp, widescreen glory, there’s no excuse for PS3 gamers not to grab a copy now of these two singularly memorable titles. My reason to just buy a new PlayStation 3 has hit the shelves ...

Bytesandpieces

t

p

twfut the general gam


‘It’s about all of us working together’I AM running for President of Ire-land because I

want to do for jobs and enter-prise what President Mary McAleese did for peace.

Fourteen years ago, Mary McAleese chose building bridges as her central theme and she used her back-ground, work history and life experience to help to build and consolidate peace on our island, despite there being no political or consti-tutional role for President McAleese to do this.

I have a background in farming and agriculture, youth and community work, public service, enterprise and entrepreneurship. I have worked hard to overcome many challenges, including unemployment and a visu-al impairment. Yet, I have always focused on what I can do and what I am good at.

When I travel around the country, as I have done for the past few years, mentor-ing, advising and support-ing groups of young people, those unemployed, business

networks, entrepreneurs, community, voluntary and advocacy groups, my mes-sage is always the same: We all must put our strengths to work to achieve our goals.

When I decided, to run for the Presidency, it was because, after years of chal-lenging others to be leaders in their own communities, I felt I had to stand forward myself.

After I launched my web-site, www.seangallagher.com in July and I embarked on a listening tour of the country. I wanted to hear from peo-ple in community groups, in businesses, in shopping

centres and at festivals what they wanted to see in their next President. It has been a wonderful journey. I have visited 22 counties, over 60 locations and travelled almost 20,000kms.

Those I met have told me of their greatest concerns and that has been for their jobs and for their families. They have told me that they want a President who will believe in them and in the future of our country. I heard that people want a President who is beyond politics, who is truly independent and who will be the voice and face of Ireland – not just now, but the Ireland we want to see in the future.

As President, I want to focus on what we do well. I want to highlight and cel-ebrate the work done by enterprise groups, business networks, Chambers of Commerce, those support-ing unemployed people and entrepreneurs. I want the excellent work that is being done to inspire others to cre-ate jobs in their local towns

and villages. These jobs pro-vide the glue that holds the community together – it provides money to keep the school open, the services running and the sports team on the field.

Abroad, I want to use my enterprise background to lead trade missions to help open new markets for Irish businesses, attract tourists and bring foreign investment to Ireland. All of this has the potential to increase jobs at home.

I believe that, as a country, we must focus on what we do well, including food pro-duction, tourism and new innovative industries such as technology and pharma-ceuticals. We need to tell the world the story of our success and stop wallowing in our failures. That is why I want to put enterprise at the heart of the next Presidency.

While this focus on enter-prise and job creation is important, it is even more essential for what it can do for our local communities. As our economy has suffered,

so have our communities. Yet, what I have seen on my listening tour is a fantastic reliance and a giving spirit as people have more time to offer. Just last week, I was at a World Suicide Prevention Day with Pieta House, and I was heartened by the work and energy of the volunteers who were coming together to support those in real distress. These are the real heroes in country, who need to be commended and celebrated as they can inspire such great work in others.

I am not a politician and I do not have the war chest or resources of a political party behind me. That is why I value those volunteers who are coming forward to work on our campaign, to canvass and fundraise. This campaign is not about me, it is about all of us working together to secure the Presidency for the people.

Sean GallagherPresidential Candidate

OPINION A candidate’s Presidential vision

Sean Gallagher

GazetteContacts

Block 3A, Mill Bank Business Park, Lucan Tel: 01 6010240 Fax: 01 6010251

General Manager: Michael McGovernemail: [email protected]

Editor: Cormac Curtisemail: [email protected]

News Editor: Dawn Loveemail: [email protected]

Production Editor: Jessica Maileemail: [email protected]

Sports Editor: Rob Heighemail: [email protected]

Financial Controller: Carly Lynchemail: [email protected]

Advertising Production: Anita Wardemail: [email protected]

Advertising Sales: 01 6010240email: [email protected]

Gazette Group Newspapers Ltd.

Terms and Conditions for acceptance of

advertisements

Reserve the right to omit or suspend or alter

any advertisement(s) in any of its publications.

We also decline any responsibility in the event of

one or more of a series of advertisements being

omitted for any reason whatever, nor do we accept

liability for any loss or damage caused by an error

or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertise-

ment. If your advertisement appears incorrectly,

contact the Advertising Department immediately,

as responsibility cannot be accepted for more

than one week’s incorrect insertion. Responsibility

cannot be accepted if the complaint is made more

than two weeks after insertion. If one places an

advertisement for more than one week and then

cancels it after the fi rst week, no refund or credit

will be given for weeks cancelled. The advertiser

undertakes to indemnify the Proprietors against

any liability for any civil action arising out of the

publication of the advertisement or any other

matter printed or published in the Blanchardstown

Gazette, Castleknock Gazette, Clondalkin Gazette,

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Gazette, Malahide Gazette and Swords Gazette. The

placing of an order or contract will be deemed an

acceptance of these conditions.

Don’t be left out in the cold this winter

The team at Topaz Local Fuels is ready for a busy winter

DROPPING THE MORTGAGE GUARANTORQ – Seven years ago, my mother, who is now

76, guaranteed my mortgage – I was a little

shy of the required income level then but the

bank insisted she be put on the mortgage.

Even with a recent salary reduction, I am

nearly at the level where my own income now

is sufficient for the mortgage while I also have

savings that could reduce my mortgage to even

more acceptable levels. I now want to take my

mother off the loan while my mortgage is also

on a fixed interest rate with my bank. What’s

the best way to proceed with this ? Jenny –

Malahide

A - Hindsight is a wonderful thing – accepting a

69-year-old mother to guarantee a daughter’s 30+

year home loan should never have been allowed in

the first place. You have a number of steps to take :

Make an appointment to meet your

lender ( the sooner the better )

Bring your P60 from 2010, your last 3

pay slips and ideally an up-to-date status

employment note from your employer

First you should request that, based on

your current income and job security, your

mortgage be placed solely in your name

and that

Your mother’s name be deleted from the

mortgage deed – with the repayment and

loan amount to remain the same

If they deem your income insufficient to

warrant the request ( and parameters are

changing all the time ), ask them what level

of borrowing would satisfy them based on

your current income that would allow your

mother’s guarantee to be waived ?

If you have savings, offer to either pay

off the amount to the level they desire – the

bank should be delighted with the lump

sum - or if they are going to charge a fee

for breaking the fixed rate, then place that

amount in a deposit account with the bank

when they can attach a lien as security for

the mortgage until the fixed rate matures

and it can be repaid against the mortgage

at that stage. In the interim, ensure you are

receiving top deposit rates with that bank.

If you are allowed to repay without

penalty, it will also reduce your monthly

mortgage pro rata. Better for your cash

flow.

You will need to brief your solicitor to

make the necessary legal changes.

Contact John Lowe with your money ques-

tions at [email protected] or visit his

website at www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe,

Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder

and managing director of Money Doctor

GazetteBUSINESSBUSINESS Supported by AIB

IF YOU’VE felt the chill that has crept into the autumn air over the last few days, you know that winter is well and truly on its way. There are even predictions that there will be a cold snap as early as October, this year.

Last year, many people did not realise that their oil tanks were so low and the increased demand during the cold snaps put pressure on oil com-panies, meaning many people had to endure the harsh cold while they waited days or even weeks for their delivery. With this in mind, the message from

fuel distributors nation-wide is strong and simple. Prepare and order early.

With Christmas edging ever closer on the hori-zon, getting the expense of home heating out of the way now will ensure you are in a much better financial position come the festive season, not to mention the reassur-ance it brings that you and your family won’t be experiencing a truly cold wintry night.

First things first, get your boiler serviced. An effi-cient boiler will save you considerable money over the winter months. Next,

HEATING: TOP TIPS FOR KEEPING THE FAMILY WARM THIS WINTER


ANSWERS TO YOUR PERSONAL FINANCE QUESTIONS

NOREEN MULDOON

FROM January 1, 2011, the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 came into effect. There are over 120,000 co-habitants in Ireland who are possibly affected by this Act.

This new act allows unmarried couples apply to court for finan-cial relief similar to that allowed under the Judicial Separation and Divorce Act.

To qualify the adult individu-als must have been living togeth-er as a couple for a period of:

Two years or more in the case where they are the parents of one or more dependant children

Five years or more in any other

case. Under the Act an “ex” may

now look to court for an order of maintenance, pension and/or an interest in a property (property adjustment order). They must meet certain criteria. For exam-ple, they need to show they have been financially dependant on the other party as a result of the relationship.

An application must be brought before the court within two years “save in exceptional circumstances” from the time of the breakdown of the relation-ship regardless of how the rela-tionship ends.

A party can also apply to court to look for a share of a deceased partner's estate, although there

is not an automatic entitlement to this.

To stop rights being estab-lished a “co-habitant agreement” can be entered into, which can set out any financial arrange-ments between the parties. If a couple decide to opt out of the provisions of the Act and draft such an agreement, independent legal advice needs to be obtained from a solicitor by both people. Also be aware that, if such an agreement is fundamentally unfair and unjust, a court can set the agreement aside or vary it.

In summary, it is important to note that previously unmarried couples had no legal rights to the assets or the estate of their partner; now, however, couples

New legislation affecting couples living together

living together can automatically obtain rights under the Act even if they have not taken steps to register their relationship. Maguire Muldoon Solicitors

Clonskeagh

Dublin 14

Tel (01) 296 4266

www.maguiremuldoon.ie

make sure that draughts are eliminated. Often, we waste more heat than we enjoy. Finally, set your thermostat to a pleasant background level, some-where between 18 – 20 degrees.

Reducing temperature by 1 degree can decrease fuel usage by 10%. Also, set your timer so you can enjoy the benefits of a warm house. You should

be able to rise in the morning to a chill free bathroom and kitchen. And if you are out all day, is there anything more enjoyable than returning to a warm, welcoming home?

Last winter, Keith McGouran, the Depot Manager for Topaz Local Fuels, Dublin took the decision not to let any of their customers endure

the freezing temperatures. A lot of learnings were gleaned from last year’s experience and Topaz Local Fuels have pulled out all the stops to ensure their product offering has diversified to cater for the worsening economic and weather climates.

Visit www.topazlocal-fuels.ie or call 1850 250 650 for more informa-tion.

SUSAN GIBSON

Head of Pensions, Irish Life Retail

FOR most people starting a pension was just something we did when we started working or when we set up our business. It just seemed sensible to start putting money by while we had it, to take account of the years ahead when we wouldn’t have it!

Saving for a more secure

future

Despite the challenging finan-cial environment we all face, the critical fact remains – saving for our retirement is as important and as sensible as ever. And, for those who put plans in place, the

benefit is immediate. A recent study by Amarach Research showed that people who are saving for their retirement with a pension were twice as confident about their future compared to those who weren’t putting any-thing by.

Know your pension options

It’s important to understand that not all pension plans are the same. There’s actually a range of options to choose from when investing into a pension plan. So you should be able to choose from safer, lower-risk options right the way though to more adventurous ones. Then, as your circumstances change over time, you should be able to switch

between funds easily, whenever you need to. At Irish Life we’ve a wide range of options so we’ve got something to suit all tastes.

Put your pension in good

hands

More than 1 million people choose Irish Life to help them look after their financial futures. In fact we currently manage pen-sions and investments of over €31 billion. As Ireland’s leading provider it may not surprise you that we look after the pensions of most of Ireland’s leading companies. However, you may not be aware that seven of the 10 biggest US companies choose Irish Life pensions for their Irish employees.

Get some advice

Getting your pension sorted is one of the most important decisions you can make. With so much at stake, choosing your pension provider, and understanding all the options available, has never been more important.

For advice on planning for your retirement, talk to your independent broker, or contact your local Irish Life Financial Adviser to help you plan ahead for a more secure future.

Information is correct August 2011. Pensions are long-term savings plans that can only be taken at retirement.Irish Life Assurance plc is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Safety first for pensions in 2011

13 January 2011 GAZETTE 19

Jedward factor: Roisin Ni Mhorain on how there are far worse role models than the twins from LucanPage 29

G A Z E T T E G R O U P N E W S P A P E R S O C T 2 0 1 1

GETTING THE RIGHT ADVICE: Are pensions still a good option?Page 20

THE FAMILY BUSINESS: Providing for your company’s futurePage 22

YOURPENSION

Susan Gibson, head of pensions, Irish Life Retail

Y O U R G U I D E T O P L A N N I N G F O R Y O U R F U T U R E

DAMIAN EVANS

Fingal Financial

OVER the last few months, I have heard a number of discussions relating to the continued use of private pension plans. This is usually related to the falls in fund values, negative sentiment regarding glo-bal economies and taxa-tion changes. My advice is that, for most people

funding long-term for retirement, pensions are still the best game in town. Some of the key points to remember are:1. Security

IT IS important to remem-ber that insurance com-panies are not banks. The liquidity requirements for insurance companies are much, much more oner-ous than for the banking sector. An insurance com-

pany must at least match assets and liabilities and, indeed, most insurers exceed this. If you have a Self Administered Fund with a Pensioneer trus-tee, your assets are held in a ring-fenced trust, so should the Trustee com-pany face difficulties or indeed become insolvent, your assets are protected.2. Investment

Performance

YES, it has been a pretty torrid time for global equity and bond markets. The credit crunch that started in the US has now turned into a European Sovereign Debt Crisis and we have had our own property and banking problems along the way. Advisers can’t pretend to be able to predict the future; however, we can plan a portfolio and guide our clients through the various behaviours of assets so that there are fewer surprises. Invest-ment markets will rise and fall. It is their nature. You can, however, have a lot of influence over how your overall investment port-folio rises and falls com-apred with global market benchmarks.3. Investment strategy

MATCHING your invest-

A pension? I’d be better off in the Post Office

l G E T T I NG THE R I GHT ADV I C E l

For most people, pensions are still one of the best options for saving for your retirement


ment portfolio to your investment term, and tak-ing into account your atti-tude to risk, should lead to fewer surprises when receiving your fund valu-ations. There have never been more investment options out there, ranging from 100% capital pro-tected to riskier leveraged investments, and every-thing in between.4. Tax Benefits

TAX relief at up to 41% is still available. Ignoring charges and investment performance, to accumu-late a fund of €500,000 outside of a pension, it would cost you nearly €850,000. Compare that to saving into a pension

plan where the equivalent cost would be €500,000 and you can access 25% of that tax-free upon maturity.5. Review – Regularly

INVESTMENT markets change. Attitude to risk changes. In my experi-ence, during the boom years, investors became overly aggressive about their own capacity for risk and many have subsequently come to realise this, to their cost. Experieneced independ-ent professional advice can offer diversification solutions and offer an impartial view to ensure that both the investment growth potential and risk

profile are within specific agreed criteria.Damian Evans is Account Director with Fingal Financial. He can be contacted at 018404012 or [email protected]

Not all recommendations are necessarily suitable for all investors and Fingal Financial recommend that specific independent advice should always be sought prior to entering any financial contract, based on the particular circumstances of the individual. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future returns. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise. Any person acting on the information contained in this article does so entirely at his or her own risk. All estimates, views and opinions included in this article constitute Fingal Financial’s judgment as of the date of the article but may be subject to change without notice.

ON moving abroad, many British expatriates will have left their UK pension rights retained in their existing arrangements.

These private pensions remain subject to UK pensions law with the effective requirement to pur-chase an annuity at a later stage (and in any case no later than attaining 75 years of age without the later prospect of huge tax charges otherwise). Additionally, UK taxation may be suffered on pension payments.

Under UK legislation intro-duced in 2004, effective from April 2006, expatriates or UK residents who have a demonstrable inten-tion to reside outside of the UK may transfer the value of their UK pension rights to a non-UK pen-sion scheme and thus avoid all the normal restrictions imposed on the pension fund if it remained in

the UK. The transfer must be made to a Qualifying Recognised Over-seas Pension Scheme (QROPS for short) that is approved by HMRC.

Do I qualify for this scheme?

Cases should be examined on an individual basis but the basic rules are:

The pension holder must become non-resident of the UK and remain so for at least five complete UK tax years.

The existing UK pension scheme can be in drawdown (i.e. benefit is being paid from the fund directly – an approach now referred to as “unsecured income”) before transferring to a QROPS. How-ever, there are restrictions and, if the permitted lump sum has been taken, no further lump sums are allowed.

Characteristics of QROPS

QROPS are established so that the underlying investments are not subject to tax and, with careful planning, the pension fund can be continued until retirement date on a tax-free basis.

The other principal benefit in transferring a UK Pension to QROPS is that the member can use the pension fund for his lifetime and any remaining balance can be passed on to their heirs upon the member’s death.

What do I do next?

If you have worked in the UK and left your pension behind, please contact Imperius Asset Manage-ment by telephone: 01 437 088 or by email: [email protected], to find out how to take advan-tage of the benefits that may be available to you.

What, exactly, is QROPS?


YOURPENSION

Hardiman’s offer real choice and security

the top 50 safest banks in the world.

“There are some good reasons why Hardiman’s free reviews should be considered:

“The process for our review is quite simple and we do not charge our customers an initial con-sultation fee. If we can’t improve your existing arrangements, or reduce the charges on your pen-sion, we will make you

aware of this from the start. We will provide our clients with a concise report tailored to your personal circumstances, which will outline our recommendations.

“We can arrange house appointments at a time convenient to you. Call 0877662657, e-mail us at [email protected] or visit our website www.hardimans.ie for further details.”

l F I N ANC I A L S ERV I C ES l

THE Hardiman name is a tried and trusted one in financial services, where Pat Hardiman has been providing financial advice since 1976.

Pat says: “The most important point that we want to make custom-ers aware of is: Review-ing where your pension is invested could make a substantial difference to the value of your retire-ment fund.

“Do you know where your pension is invest-ed?

“We will review your attitude to risk and invest

your pension accord-ingly. Daniel Hardiman, Chartered Accountant and Qualified Financial Advisor, who has recent-ly joined the team has observed various types of investment strategies used by the leading fund managers in his career to date and will ensure the investment funds select-ed will be suitable to the individual’s age and risk profile.

Example

“For example, it is important that when an individual is approaching

retirement, their pension is invested in a low-risk secure fund.

“We now have a plat-form to invest individu-als’ pensions in a range of 100% Capital Guar-anteed investments. For example, our cus-tomers can now invest their pension in the best deposit interest rates on offer in the market and get a guaranteed return of 4.5% AER and not expose themselves to any investment risk. For low-risk individuals, we have access to invest pensions in banks who have made


Finding someone you can trust to help you with your

pension needs is extremely important

DO YOU own a fam-ily firm and worry about providing for the future? Is your pension fund sig-nificantly depleted and/or property portfolio now floored?

“It’s time to act to ensure you get the busi-ness disposal tax relief, which may be reduced in next Budget.”

Business owners who are over 55 years of age, and over 10 years in busi-ness, can currently avail of substantial tax reliefs when selling their busi-ness or passing it on to family members. How-

ever, these are under attack.

Currently, if a business owner sells his or her business (within guide-lines) for up to €750,000, there is no Capital Gains Tax (CGT) payable – but it is likely that the tax benefits will be reduced in the next Budget – pos-sibly down to €500,000. Businesses held by hus-band and wife could avail of €1.5m.

Over the last three years in particular, many people have seen their pension funds significant-ly eroded and many own-

ers of small family firms despair of ever being able to afford to retire. “But there is a very viable way to enable business own-ers to retire even if their pensions are substantially diminished,” says Gerry O’Reilly, of Newmarket Partnership.

One of Gerry’s clients, who he helped with this problem, is Moneywise.ie – a boutique wealth-management family firm. Moneywise was estab-lished by Owen Morton in 1986 and, in more recent times, he and his two sons shared owner-

ship with each owning a one-third share.

Owen was approach-ing retirement but, like many people over the past three years, his pension fund has suffered badly. Although the business is sound and profitable, neither of his two sons – Alan and Richard – had the money to buy out his shares from him.

“Richard and I were really stressing about this as we wanted to enable Dad to retire when he chose to do so – safe in the knowledge that he would have adequate resources with which to enjoy his retirement. The company had some reserves, but, having a young family, we had no spare cash personally to buy him out. So we spoke to Gerry O’Reilly at New-market, who has been advising Moneywise for a number of years now. We had known about the relief – as, in a twin strat-egy with pension funding, we had advised clients on it ourselves but Gerry really approaches the problem in an innovative way,” says Alan.

Future

“Gerry advised us how we could use the compa-ny’s current reserves and future cashflow to fund Owen’s retirement.

“He said there were several ways to structure this, but bottom line is that Owen ended up with a good fund over time and Richard and I ended up in control of the business. We agreed a value on the shares and are paying him this in regular monthly install-ments – tax-efficiently, thanks to CGT Retire-ment Relief. Gerry calls this WIN, WIN, WIN and we agree.

“My Dad’s retirement

Taking care of family firms

l P L ANN ING FOR THE F UTURE l

Owen Morton, of Moneywise.ie, client of Gerry O’Reilly of Newmarket Partnership

issue is significantly eased –WIN. We get to take over the business with little outlay –WIN. The outcome is tax friendly – WIN. Collectively, Richard and I and the Company save the tax my Dad would have paid on PAYE – WIN. In summa-ry, Newmarket saved our family €750,000, which certainly makes for a bet-ter quality retirement for Dad. This was not some-thing we ever envisaged a relatively small company could achieve.”

Complex

However, Alan warned that it is not as simple a transaction as it sounds. “It’s actually pretty com-plex,” he says, “and this is why we needed Newmar-ket’s thorough knowledge of the Taxation Code, as well as good legal advice to guide us through share-

holders’ agreements, and what would happen in the case of default for whatever reason.”

Gerry O’Reilly com-ments: “We used the Capital Gains Tax Retire-ment Relief for this trans-action. This means that people can sell their busi-ness without incurring tax up to a maximum value of €750,000 once they are over 55 years of age, have worked for 10 years or more and are a shareholder/director in the business.

“This is ideal for small family-owned businesses in particular. In certain circumstances, people have found they have not actually retired but just passed on their shares to the next generation and realised some or all of the value.”

However, Gerry warns that this €750k figure

could be reduced to €500k in the next Budget as the Government has to claw back money from wherever it can. This measure will particularly affect business owners who have seen their pen-sion fund substantially reduced in value, or who were relying on a proper-ty portfolio, which is now in negative equity.”

So the advice to owners of family businesses who want to retire, or want to plan their retirement, is to act now. “Don’t leave it until near the end of the year and Budget time, as you need to allow time for the complexities to be worked through,” Gerry concludes.

Gerry O’Reilly can be contacted on 01 429 3600 or by email: [email protected] or log on to www.newmarket.ie for further information.



YOURPENSION


GazetteMOTORSMOTORS

WHEN it comes to our children’s safety takes pri-ority. And, for

many families, that means that when you sit down to look at what’s on offer in the MPV market you need to start by consider-ing cars with three rows of seats.

No matter what options you examine the Renault Grand Scenic will almost always come into the final running.

And that’s why I took the Grand Scenic for a test drive. The Grand Scenic is a family oriented car. It is a big car as it’s longer and wider than most of the

competition.I took it with the slight-

ly higher power 110bhp 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine for a recent test drive. It was the TomTom version so it had all of the best features, especially the TomTom satellite navi-

gation system. And the car was fitted with Renault’s six-speed automatic gear-box that delivers extra driving comfort.

The test car was the ultimate in the Grand Scenic range, called the top-of-the-range TomTom model. This car comes with a TomTom satel-lite navigation system as standard, along with an impressive host of extra goodies.

The seating is very flex-ible and easy to use. The second row of seats con-sists of individual seats, all of which can slide and fold individually to suit the needs. They can be

folded forward for extra boot space. And, while the third-row seats are not really for adults they are very suitable for children or short runs. You can be sure that with a Euro NCAP five-star rating for the car they will all travel in safety, with proper seat belts and IsoFix fittings for baby seats in the mid-dle row.

The third row of seats is easily folded to give a flat boot area. That makes it more spacious than the Opel Zafira or Toyota Verso.

Renault is using an easy-to-read digital type layout for the dash infor-

mation, with speed and other features clearly vis-ible for the driver and pas-sengers. Radio controls are on the steering wheel stalk for added safety and there is an iPod connec-tion for those who want their own music.

I’m glad to see that Renault still fits a space saver space wheel in all Grand Scenic models, which is the only option in our road conditions.

Renault uses a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine in the Grand Scenic where there is an option of either 95bhp or 110bhp without much compromise in per-formance or economy.

The car has reasonable acceleration at 14.3 sec-onds in a 0 to 100km/hr dash.

It’s not the fastest mid-range MPV around but you can hold a steady 120km/hr on the motor-way at just over the 2,500rpm figure on the engine.

The Renault Grand Scenic has impressive safety features and the seating is comfortable and supported by a good suspension ride.

The car is reasonably thrifty, and very spacious while being good to drive with the benefit of the automatic gearbox.

Renault’s space machine

VOLKSWAGEN ANNOUNCES NEW TIGUAN MODELS: VOLKSWAGEN’S latest version of the company SUV, the four-door and five-seat Tiguan is now available in the Irish market, with prices starting from €27,995.

The Volkswagen Tiguan features a new look dominated by horizontal lines on the front grille, bringing the model into line with other new Volkswagen models.

The Tiguan once again bears a strong resemblance to the big-ger Touareg. At the rear, new two-part light clus-ters give the Tiguan a distinctive appearance.

Again, similar to those of the Touareg, they form an ‘L’ shape, while the lower bor-der of the lights also follows a horizontal geometry. Volkswagen offers three trim levels, Trend and Fun, Track and Field and Sport and Style. All will be available with Blue Motion technology diesel engines ranging from 2.0-litre 110hp, 2.0-litre 140hp and 2.0 litre 140hp BMT 4Motion. They all feature Stop/Start and battery regeneration systems to enhance fuel economy and reduce emissions.

RoadRoadSignsSigns

HONDA in Ireland has introduced a new 180bhp Type S diesel version of the Accord for 2012. The car aims to be an alternative to the BMW and Audi options with a more powerful engine and improved driving feel and plenty of extras as standard for a list price of €39,465, plus delivery charges.

The exterior of the Type S 180PS, with its 18-inch alloy wheels and aero bump-ers and side sills, has a sporty look that reflects the power under the bonnet. The car is equipped with a high beam sup-

port system with Bi Xenon headlights and active cornering lights. Standard features include leather seating and elec-trically adjustable heated front seats. The car has an advanced dual-zone climate control linked to the satellite naviga-tion system to detect the position of the sun and set the temperature accord-ingly. Cabin noise has also been reduced through a new floating sub-frame struc-ture with insulated carpets, all adding to an enriched driving experience.

Type S 180bhp is combined with a six-

speed manual gearbox. Honda claims that the aim of the engine and transmis-sion development was to maintain the high-performance driving experience whilst improving the overall efficiency of the engine and resulting in lower run-ning costs. Power output is at 180bhp at 4,000 rpm while peak torque is 380Nm at between 2,000 and 2,750rpm. That delivers an improved acceleration per-formance of 8.8 seconds in a 0-100km/hr race and a top speed of 220km/h.

Despite the extra power the CO2 emis-

sions are below Euro 5 levels at 147g/km putting the car into Road Tax Band C with an annual road tax cost of €302.

Honda boosts the Accord range with a new Type S

Top speed: 180 km/hr

0 – 100km/hr: 14.3 secs

Economy: 20 km/litre

(5.0l/100km)

CO2 emissions: 124g/km

Road Tax Band: B (€156)

Entry Price: €26,790

SPECS: RENAULT GRAND

SCENIC 1.5

The new Type S boasts lots of features

The market for family cars that have more than five seats remains as strong as ever. MICHAEL MORONEY reports on the Renault Grand Scenic

The new Renault Grand Scenic is a competitive people carrier with an entry price of €26,790

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Organic beauty brand VOYA arrives at The Ice House

THE Chill Spa at The

Ice House in Co. Mayo

drew a host of familiar

local faces to the official

launch of VOYA last

week.

Almost 100 people

attended the event, with

general manager Claire

O’Sullivan welcoming

guests and treating all to

a sophisticated soiree.

Spa specialists,

including Chill Spa’s

award-winning thera-

pist Elaine Armstrong,

showcased the new

VOYA products and

treatments and treated

guests to complimen-

tary mini treatments,

including mini-mani-

cures, hand, arm and

head massages.

VOYA expert

Michelle Roche was on

hand to demonstrate

the amazing VOYA Sea-

weed wraps.

For full details on all

treatments and offers

please see www.theice-

house.ie or phone Chill

Spa at 096-23500.

What’sOn

Tourism Ireland’s Brian Harte and Mark Henry

celebrate reaching a half-million Facebook fans

BREAKAWAY: TAKE A SHORT TRAIN RIDE THIS AUTUMN

LEAVE the car a t home th i s autumn and enjoy a relaxing break in

Northern Ireland from only £75pps* and avail of 1st Plus rail travel on the Enterprise.

That is the message from the Nor thern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) following the launch of a selection of short breaks that include breakfast and NIR Trav-el.

People can sit back and relax on the Enter-prise from Dublin Con-nolly to Belfast Central Station, enjoy accom-modation in a selection of 3, 4 and 5-star hotels across Northern Ireland and three days unlimited Metro, Ulsterbus and NI Railways travel.

“The launch of the

rail breaks from only £75pps* not only repre-sent an affordable way for visitors to enjoy a short break in Northern Ire-land, but also provide a relaxing way to get there given that rail travel is included.

“Travelling 1st Plus on the Enterprise is a fantastic way to start a short break as you can really relax in style and even enjoy a nice meal and a glass of wine,” said NITB’s market manager (ROI) Fiona Cunning-ham.

“There’s a great selec-tion of hotels available across Northern Ireland with something to suit everyone, for example visit Belfast for a cosmo-politan city break with a spot of shopping, Por-trush and Bushmills if you

Rail-ax in style - head north

Fiona Cunningham, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s market manager, is

encouraging people to leave the car at home this autumn

HAVE A howl of a Halloween this year at Westport House’s annual Halloween Fest, which runs for the duration of the mid-term break from October 29 to November 6.

A total of 5% of all proceeds from the freaky festival will be donated to Childline.

Families with monsters will have a haunt-ingly good time as they experience the thrills ‘n’ chills of the Pirate Adventure Park – they will board the eerie Westport House Express train ride, get into high ‘spirits’ on the swing-ing ship and swan boats on the lake, have a devilish time on the cannonball run slide, and take an exciting trip on the log flume water ride.

To really bite the Halloween apple, guests will step into the stunning 18th-century Westport House, which will be transformed into a (not too) scary haunted house for the week.

The little devils will be mesmerised by the captivating White Witch’s story time, while Scrooge and his friends will paint their faces to ensure they’re looking frighteningly good for the family workshops that are taking place all day.

Not only that, but for guests who are there over the October Bank holiday weekend, there will definitely be a treat in store (no tricks, promise) with an explosive Fireworks

Extravaganza and haunting Halloween dance on the front lawn of Westport House.

Make sure to dress to impress and look scarily good if you plan on joining in the fun, as you could be in with a chance to win some fantastic prizes in the costume competition – adults too!

All of these additional activities are includ-ed in the regular Westport House & Pirate Adventure Park ticket prices, other than the fireworks extravaganza, making Halloween Fest and the Fireworks Extravaganza fantas-tic value for the family.

For further information see www.west-porthouse.ie

Frightening fun at Westport House

GazetteTTRAVELRAVEL Edited by

Mimi Murray

would like to explore the breathtaking Co Antrim coast; Derry to find out more about the historic City Walls or Newcastle to enjoy a short break by the seaside.

“With breakfast and three days unlimited NIR travel included in the price, visitors will

be spoilt for choice on where to go and what to do, and they can really take the time to explore more of Northern Ire-land at their leisure,” Fiona said.

To find out more information on these great value breaks, or for further information on

things to see and do in Northern Ireland, check out the free booking and advice service and call-save 1850 230 230, visit NITB’s Tourist Informa-tion Centre in Suffolk Street, Dublin 2 or click on www.discovernorth-ernireland.com.

* Subject to availability

Land of a thousand welcomes reaches 500,000 Facebook fansTOURISM Ireland has reached a half-million fans

on Facebook, making it the third most popular

tourism board in the world on the popular social

networking site, after Australia and the UK.

Social media played an important role in increas-

ing the impact of high-profile TV programmes

featuring Ireland this year, including BBC’s Terry

Wogan’s Ireland and Monty Halls’ Great Irish

Escape; as viewers were tweeting while they

watched, Tourism Ireland communicated with them,

highlighting some of the great places to visit that

featured in the programmes.

Mark Henry, Tourism Ireland’s Central Marketing

Director, said: “For Tourism Ireland, effective use of

social media is about building online communities

and starting conversations that allow word of mouth

about Ireland as a holiday destination to reach a

truly global audience.

“When you consider that each of our fans has in

turn an average of 130 friends, this fan base for Ire-

land means that we can potentially engage with 65

million people world-wide each day,” he said.

Tourism Ireland took the top eMarketing award

at the Marketing Institute of Ireland’s All-Ireland

Marketing (AIM) awards in May, primarily for their

social media successes.


GazetteENTERTAINMENTENTERTAINMENT

Just hasn’t a ClouseauThis isn’t the sequel that Atkinson fans have Bean waiting for,

as the bumbling spy genre has been better done in other films KATE CROWLEY

READERS may recall that, a few weeks ago, I reviewed Tinker, tailor, Soldier, Spy - the master-ful tale of the spy game played out in the 1970s by icily-cold spymasters.

Well, the 1970s – just like a few weeks back – was aaaaages ago, and the spy game’s moved on a lot since then.

Right along to Johnny English, it would seem – or so the filmmakers would have you believe.

A curious sequel to the 2003 film that started this series (not that I’m entirely convinced that a two-film series is really a series, any more than someone riding a bicycle expects to see any further developments or wheels appearing at the back), this sees Rowan Atkinson returning to the role of a deadly, if incompetent, British spy.

After all, it’s not like we haven’t seen spy spoof tales before, right, dear readers?

(Let’s ignore everyone who starts shouting out that spy spoofs have been a lazy cinematic cliche since the likes of televi-sion’s Get Smart show – from 1965 – or even

Morecambe and Wise’s The Intelligence Men, from the same year. Hush, Mr Crowley, hush.)

Reprising his role as the brilliant but bungling British superagent, Atkin-son returns as English – the only man who could take on J***s B**d and win – albeit not without

lots of chaotic messing about.

Perhaps in a nod to the slightly long gap between the films, the film sees MI-7’s (see what they did there, folks?) top agent living life away from the agency, having retired to Ye Olde Monastery in deepest, orangest Asia.

Johnny English (Rowan Atkinson), MI-7’s greatest spy, has a licence to – well, ineptly stumble through one crisis after another, as he

attempts to save the Chinese premier’s life in the face of a deadly conspiracy, with English’s “skills” just one of many obstacles to beat

GoingOUTGoingOUTMILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 We’ve Only Just Begun

THE enduring beauty of the songs left behind by The Carpenters will be expertly brought to lilfe by talented singer, Kim Dickinson, and her band, in a show set to delight Carpenter fans, with everything from Yesterday Once More, We’ve Only Just Begun, (They Long To Be) Close To You and many, many more for fans to listen out for. The show is at 8pm on Friday, October 7, with tickets priced at €18/€15.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622My Way

GARVAN Gallagher’s commendable exhibition examines the “invisible” status of older citizens, with a diverse range of work examing the status and self-image of our elders. Whether personal texts, short films, or even fashion shoots replacing younger models with more mature citizens, My Way is an excellent, diverse project underlining how valuable our “invisible” citizens are. My Way runs at Driaocht’s ground floor gallery until Saturday, November 5.

PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929When Jolie Met Christie

THIS imaginative production marries the music of the late, great Christie Hennessy with the legendary Al Jolson. As a boy, Hennessy was fascinated with Jolson, and this toe-tapping production reunites the two in Heaven, where a meditation of their lives – and music – can play out in what’s described as “a quirky, funny and sometimes dark meditation on the price of fame”. Catch the show on Friday, October 7, or Saturday, October 8, at 8pm, with tickets priced at €19/€17.

FILM OF THE WEEK:

Johnny English Reborn (PG) 101 mins

OUR VERDICT:PERHAPS best described as a sequel that nobody was looking for, Johnny English returns with a mildly amusing – yet highly derivative – spy spoof tale. Deadly villains? Check. Ingenious gadgets? Check. Explosions? Check. Audience interest? Err ... It’s difficult to see how English can return after this adventure, which, much like English, stumbles along, but isn’t quite as entertaining as similar spoofs.

Director: Oliver ParkerStarring: Rowan Atkinson, Rosamund Pike, Dominic West,Gillian Anderson

There, English can meditate, learn more about who he is – and train in pretty predictable ways, messing up ancient oriental skills as he goes. Oh, English!

However, with this new-found affinity with Asian ways, English seems to be MI-7’s best hope of getting to the bottom of an impend-ing catastrophe, as a plot against the Chinese pre-mier’s life is uncovered, with deadly assassins on the loose for nefarious reasons.

Semi-retirement can wait, as the agency’s best spy is needed back on the beat, with – shock, horror –a sinister conspiracy at

work within a number of intelligence agencies.

With the clock work-ing against him almost as much as his lack of skills, English has to uncover the truth before an all-important heads-of-state conference, at which the premier’s life is at risk.

Now, pay attention, English!

It’s very much more of the same for this sequel, with Atkinson mugging, glaring, staring and stum-bling his way as the frosty agent who, despite every-thing – including his own ineptness – manages to get the job done, thanks to his super gadgets, super sidekicks, and a super amount of luck.

BLANCHclassifiedsGAZE

TTE

GAZE

TTE

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PLANNING NOTICE

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[email protected]

GAA stars past and present lined out at Croke Park recently to declare their support for the GAA’s official charity for 2011, the Playing For Life organisation, when it announced the launch of its next project in Ethio-pia.

Dublin’s Eamonn Fen-nell, Niall Corcoran and Barney Rock attended the launch along with Limer-ick’s Gavin O’Mahony

and Kilkenny hurler, Tommy Walsh.

Playing for Life has worked in Tanzania, Kenya and Malawi since 2005. The charity’s work focuses on self-develop-ment by providing educa-tion facilities, skills train-ing and HIV/Aids aware-ness through sport.

Tracy Piggott, founder of Playing for Life, said: “As a team, we are extremely honoured, proud and pleased to have been named as an official GAA

charity. Over the years, we have had tremendous support from the GAA community throughout the country.

“On both a national and international level, Playing for Life’s success is a tribute to the sup-port and sponsorship it receives; we are so thank-ful to the GAA for provid-ing us with a platform this year to ensure that this success continues.”

Having been selected as an official GAA Charity

GAA CHARITY: AFRICA AID ORGANISATION TRAVELLING TO ASSIST IN ETHIOPIA

Dublin footballer Eamon Fennell with nine-year-old Behailu O’Chonaill, of Ballyboden St Enda’s, at Croke Park

Playing for Life gets backing as official charity

for 2011, Playing for Life’s Ethiopia Trip will take the opportunity to bring Irish and Ethiopian communi-ties together.

While the two countries may seem worlds apart, there is an uncanny simi-larity – a passion for hurl-ing! In Ethiopia, a similar

game is played with a wooden hurl-like stick and a ball, called Karsa. The Irish GAA players and the Ethiopian Karsa team will challenge each other to what is bound to be a thrilling hurling match on Ethiopian soil.

Criostoir O’Cuana

lauded the work under-taken by the Association’s newest official charity and wished it every success in its on-going endeavours. “It’s worth noting the plans that Playing for Life has for the remainder of 2011 are most worthwhile and I hope we can sup-

port them in a tangible way with this excellent work.

If you are interested in joining in the charity’s efforts on this charity trip of a life time, log onto www.playingforlife.ie or email [email protected].

GazetteSPORT6 October 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 27

SEPTEMBER STARS: SEPTEMBER STARS: This month’s Dublin This month’s Dublin Sport Awards winners Sport Awards winners announced announced Page 29Page 29

GazetteSportSport


LEINSTER LEAGUE DIV 2Garda 22

Coolmine RFC 32

[email protected]

COOLMINE’S first and second XVs both faced local rivals, Garda, in Westmanstown last weekend in the first of this year’s derby match-es, and came away with a brace of wins.

Garda firsts came into this competition as the form team, having eas-ily secured the Division 2 title last season with games to spare and beat Coolmine in the cup.

However, they have lost their opening two games and were hoping to put things right on home ground.

However, it was the visitors who started the stronger and, after nine minutes, Donal Crotty found a gap in

the Garda defence after receiving the ball from the back of the scrum deep inside Garda ter-ritory, and went over for the first try of the game, and converted his own touchdown.

Six minutes later, Garda narrowed the gap with a converted penalty, but Coolmine responded with a sec-ond try from a wide sweeping solo run from Fionn Lacey.

Soon after, Coolmine were on the attack again, this time soft hands between Donal Crotty and Geoff Mul-len led to the final-off load to Sean Lee for the third try of the game.

At 3-19 up, it looked like Coolmine could secure the bonus point before half time, but Garda pulled back a try from the back of a driv-

ing maul, leaving only nine points separating the teams going into the break.

Five minutes into the second half and Garda further reduced the def-icit to only four points with another penalty, but Coolmine soon slot-ted two of their own to restore their advantage.

However, Coolmine had lost their momen-tum, and Garda had come into the game more as the minutes ticked on.

The visitors eventu-ally got the bonus point on the 35th minute of the second half with a show-and-go from Crot-ty that left the defence wrong-footed, and he ran in for his second try of the game.

A yellow card for Coolmine with three minutes to go left them

a man down, and Garda capitilised on the situa-tion with a try in the dying seconds.

The win moves Cool-mine up to third place, sharing with Enniscor-thy just ahead on points difference.

At the same venue, Coolmine’s seconds did not have such a tough time, scoring 20 unan-swered points to take the spoils.

With the rain pour-ing down, the condi-tions did not make for free-flowing expansive rugby, which appeared to favour the home side.

However, scrum-half Morgan Smyth pro-duced a penalty with seven minutes on the clock to open the scor-ing, with David Fagan stepping forward to put the ball between the

posts. R ichie Armstrong

scored a try, and Fagan once again slotted a penalty to give the visi-tors a 13-point advan-tage at the turn.

The second half con-tinued as the first had ended with Coolmine bossing the game and, after just 13 minutes, Coolmine scored another converted try when Dar-ren Kenna crossed the try line after some good work from the forwards.

Garda began to come back at Coolmine and long periods of the sec-ond half were played in Coolmine’s half. Garda came very close to scor-ing after a kick and chase from the backs was almost perfectly executed only for the touchdown to be adjudged to have been knocked on by the referee.

’Mine cop victories

RUGBY: DOUBLE WINS FOR COOLMINE TEAMS IN LOCAL DERBY

Coolmine RFC were tested but not bested when their first and second XVs faced Garda at Westmanstown last weekend

Fins’ Flynn one of 12 Dubs on All-Star listFINGALLIANS’ man Paul Flynn was named among a dozen Dublin nominees on the GAA GPA All Stars, sponsored by Opel, 45-man shortlist.

Just four members of Dublin’s All-Ireland starting team did not make the nominations list – Mick Fitzsimons and James McCarthy in defence, along with captain Bryan Cullen and Barry Cahill in the forward division.

Super-sub Kevin McManamon has been rewarded for the influence he had in the All-Ireland decider and semi-final as well as his league displays, with a nomination in the half-forward sector.

After the Dubs, beaten All-Ireland finalists, Kerry, come next in terms of representation with nine followed by Donegal with seven nominees, ahead of Mayo and Kildare with five apiece, league champions Cork with three, Tyrone with two and Wexford and Derry with one each.

Flynn was included on the list along with player-of-the-year elect Alan Brogan with whom the Fins’ man dove-tailed with superb-ly this summer.

Bernard Brogan is up for one of the full-forward berths while Kilmacud Crokes’ backs Kevin Nolan, Rory O’Carroll and Cian O’Sullivan are also up for a gong.

It follows a few days after ten Dublin hurl-ers were short-listed for their equivalent hon-our. The Dubs had an impressive year, win-ning the Allianz NHL Division 1 and Walsh Cups and were narrowly beaten by Tipperary in the All-Ireland SHC semi-final.

Goalkeeper Gary Maguire, full-backs Niall Corcoran and Peter Kelly, half-backs Joey Boland and Shane Durkin, midfielders Liam Rushe and John McCaffrey, half-forwards Conal Keaney and Ryan O’Dwyer, along with Paul Ryan in the full-forward line are the Dubs nominated.

FastSport

in association with


Schoolchildren taking part in the Fingal Athletics League will take part in the finals at Morton Stadium next year

Fingal league ready to run this month

[email protected]

The Fingal Athletics League, organised by Fingal County Coun-cil’s Sports Office in partnership with Athlet-ics Ireland, is set to start this year on Tuesday, October 11, in Porter-stown Park for schools in the Dublin 15 area, and on Tuesday, Octo-ber 18, in Balheary Park for schools in the north Fingal area.

The league has been running for five years, with the number of schools participating increasing every year.

Last year, 26 schools took part in the league,

with approximately 1,000 students par-ticipating. Already this year, 30 schools have registered to take part in what will be the big-gest league to date.

Schools will have four race meets in their respective venue before a F inga l A th le t i c s League Finals Day next May 2012 in Morton Stadium, Santry, which sees both leagues com-ing together to race at Ireland’s premier ath-letics facility.

Fun phys-edNiall McGuirk, Sen-

ior Sports Develop-ment Officer for Fingal

County Council, said: “This programme was aimed at creating a fun environment for chil-dren to become physi-cally active.

“It is important that at this stage of a child’s sporting development tha t the emphas i s should be on participa-tion and learning fun-damental skills, rather than competition and elitism.

“I have to give special thanks to Bart Rodgers from Athletics Ireland, who works tirelessly on the project and I’d also like to thank the teach-ers for getting involved, promoting athletics

and who are all devel-oping a strong sporting ethos in their respective schools.”

Schools can enter a maximum of 50 pupils, both boys and girls from third to sixth class, with race distances ranging from 300 to 600 metres, depending on the age group.

Race days start at 11.30am sharp and fin-ish at 1pm.

Places are still avail-able for schools to take part in the league, and to register or, for more information, contact Niall McGuirk at [email protected] or 01-890 6232.

ATHLETICS : PLACES STILL AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOLS

STARof theMONTHDEIRDRE RYAN

DUNDRUM South Dublin ath-

lete Ryan secured her berth

at the 2012 London Olympics,

reaching the A standard in

Daegu where she claimed

sixth place in the high jump

world championships this

month, against the best ath-

letes in the sport, and the

people she will face when

chasing the gold medal in

London next year.

THE INDIAN summer has been and gone, but the sun is still shin-ing for our star and team of the month for September.

In a year such as this, they have achieved two of the highest possi-ble achievements in sport - a place in the London Olympics next year, and the highest honour in the land in Gaelic games.

Deirdre Ryan’s success at Daegu was impressive, not only for the fact that she will be going to Lon-don next year, but also that she achieved sixth place in the world against the best competitors in the high jump.

Dublin have been on the cusp of Sam Maguire success for several years, and they finally took the honour at Croke Park last month with an epic performance.

Let us know!Let us know about your achieve-

ments in sport, so that the Gazette can tell the rest of Dublin — and give you, or your team, a chance of being one of our monthly stars.

Contact us on 01 601 0240 or [email protected] to tell us all about your successes, and fol-low us on Facebook at facebook.com/gazettesportII.

DUBLIN FOOTBALLERS

THE sons of Dublin foot-

ball finally achieved

their potential on the

national stage when they

put 16 years of hurt

behind them to lift the

Sam Maguire trophy at

Croke Park in front of a

jubilant home support.

Stephen Cluxton’s ice-

cold last-minute free to claim the title in front of a jubilant Hill 16

will be one of the most memorable moments of the year in sport.

TEAMof theMONTH

2011 DUBLIN SPORTS AWARDS SEPTEMBER WINNERS

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

U C D A F C h a v e announced recently that they will host two friend-ly matches at the Belfield Bowl against Scotland’s St Johnstone FC on July 10, and Spain’s Villarreal CF on July 16.

St Johnstone finished eighth in the SLP last season, and have a long tradition in Scottish football. Former players include Sir Alex Ferguson and Ally McCoist.

Villarreal finished fourth in last seasons La Liga and so are qualifiers for next season’s Cham-pions League. As well as this, they have a wide range of talented foot-ballers at their disposal with Barcelona target and former Manchester United player, Giuseppe Rossi, on the top of the list.

GazetteSport and UCD are giving lucky

readers the chance to win pairs of tickets to these matches.

Simply answer the fol-lowing question:

Where was Villarreal striker Guiseppe Rossi born?

Send your answer, together with your name, address and mobile phone number, to [email protected], with “UCD Friendlies” in the subject line of the mail.

Win tickets to see UCD in friendlies

UCD’s Robbie Benson

Barking for charity: Dublin ladies walk onDUBLIN Ladies’ Gaelic Football, in associa-tion with our official charity, Irish Guide Dogs, is inviting all Dublin ladies clubs, teams, players and mentors to join in the Guide Dogs’ Family Dog Walk on Satur-day, October 8.

Dublin LGFA are encouraging clubs to sell the official guide dogs high-viz wrist bands to players and members in order to raise funds for the charity. For more infor-mation, see www.guidedogs.ie

GazetteSportSport


[email protected]

PHOENIX star Danny Giffney was part of the Leinster Senior League side that just missed out on the interprovincial title when they fell 1-0 to Munster last Sunday in Tullamore, after big wins against Connacht and Ulster.

They stormed to a 5-2 success against their western rivals, while the northern province was undone 5-1, to leave them needing just a draw to retain the title.

Karl Caulfield’s goal, however, saw the Blues fall behind in the first half of the decisive

game and while Wayne Callaghan was felled by Brendan O’Connell on the hour to see Mun-ster reduced to ten men, Leinster could not break through and eventually fell by that single goal.

It meant the MSL won their first title since 2008, with a typically determined and hard-working performance.

Leinster were seeking to complete a third con-secutive success in the FAI Umbro Intermedi-ate Inter-League com-petition.

Against Connacht, the LSL were pushed hard and had to wait for a two goals scoring burst in

the closing ten minutes to make sure of victory over a determined Con-nacht in Edenderry.

Leinster were given an early boost when Connacht centre-back Stephen Ryan conceded an own goal within five minutes of kick-off.

Peter Sherlock scored a second after 41 min-utes to suggest that Lein-ster were well on their way to three points but Connacht struck back as centre-forward Liam Lynch cut the arrears in the 57th minute.

David O’Sul l ivan restored Leinster’s two goals cushion after 61 minutes but a game

Connacht responded once again as Ronan O’Boyle scored three minutes later.

Leinster made their position secure with two goals in the last ten min-utes from Lee Roche of St Patrick’s CYM. He scored in the 82nd and 90th minutes.

Roche was again to the fore against the Ulster League as he brought his personal goals tally to four from two games as Leinster followed up their win over Connacht on Friday in Portlaoise.

Carl Forsyth was also in good scoring form for Leinster and he scored twice in a match which

found Leinster in charge for long periods. He opened the scoring after 25 minutes to settle any nerves that Leinster might have been expe-riencing.

Roche then added a second in double quick time in the 29th minute and he had Leinster three in front with his second goal after 47 minutes.

Richard Moore cut the deficit for Ulster with a goal after 66 minutes but Leinster confirmed their superiority with goals from Dan Lough-ran, after 73 minutes and Carl Forsyth, again, in the 90th minute.

LSL miss out on Interpro

SOCCER: LEINSTER FALL AT FINAL HURDLE IN NATIONAL CUP

Phoenix’s Danny Giffney was one of the Leinster League stars who brought the representative side to within one with of the national title

Summerfest

set for next

weekendTHE 2011 Tesco mobile SARI Sum-merfest, the largest intercultural soccer tournament in Ire-land, is set to take part this year at the Garda and Camogie Sports Grounds, in Phoenix Park on September 10 and 11 from 11am to 5pm each day.The Summerfest will also coinciude with the CONCERN kitefest, where kite flyers from around the world will dis-play their kites and give kite workshops for children.The two-day festival also includes a wide array of entertain-ment for all the family.

For more informa-tion, see www.facebook.com/sar-ireland.

Castleknock

Celtic seeking

ladies talentCASTLEKNOCK Celtic FC’s ladies and girls section are recruiting new talent to the cllub for the soccer season start-ing later this month.

If you were born in 1996 or earlier, visit the club’s website at www.castleknock-celtic.com, and pass on your name and contact details in the How To Join section provided on the site.

The club are also looking to recruit girls born in 2001/2002 to play soccer in the Dubli-Girls Soccer League.

FastSport

METRO St Brigid’s had an impressive rep-resentation in last week’s Berlin Marathon as Dave Fitzpatrick took his racing to a new level, recording a fantastic new personal best of 2:36:45, to place 122nd overall.

Special mention goes to Paddy Parrott clocking 3:07:28, for 23rd in his category, while the rest of the club’s entrants were pleased with their personal performances, with John Whelan clocking 3:13:15, while Mel Hilliard was just over a minute behind.

Gerry Quinn was in the 3:18 range, while Vincent Brady, David Goodall, Robert Mur-ray, Raymond Wright and Martin Wright all completed the gruelling course.

MSB stars take Berlin marathon plaudits

Corduff stars on the rise: Locals get trialsCORDUFF players Dylan Travers and Alex Wright, pictured here with FF leader, Micheal Martin, Councillor David McGuinness and fellow play-er Johny Pomme, have been invited to Manchester United at the end of the month for a week-long assess-ment. Pomme has also been asked by Birmingham City to attend for a trial. Their team is supported and sponsored by Councillor McGuin-ness.

in association with

. CLUB NOTICEBOARD

TYRRELSTOWN


CONGRATULATIONS to the U-13A hurl-

ers who captured their league title,

beating Faughs.

The U-16 hurlers progressed to

their semi-final, beating Thomas

Davis. Hard luck to the U-15 hurlers

who were beaten by Lucan in their

semi-final.

The senior footballers edged out

Na Fianna, the inter footballers beat

St Peregrine’s to reach their semi-

finals.

The minor hurlers had a good win

over St Vincent’s.

New opening hours for the new club

shop are Friday from 7 to 8pm and

Saturday from 10 to 11.30am.

The senior hurlers face Vincent’s

on Friday at 6.45pm in Parnell Park.

Plenty of games this Saturday

in Russell Park at 3.30pm with our

U-13, U-14 and U-16 footballers all in

action. U-15 footballers face Syl’s on

Sunday at 11.30am in Bridgefield in

the A Shield semi-final.

The minor footballers face Naomh

Mearnog at 11am this Sunday in Rus-

sell Park.

Club lotto takes place in Russell

Park this Thursday with a jackpot of

€15,000.

We have collect 110 old mobile

phones so far. We need 90 more to

get our new AED. No matter how old

the phone is please drop it into the

club bar.

ST BRIGID’S

JUNIOR: Training takes place every

Thursday evening from 6pm on the

pitch at Belgree.

We play both Gaelic football and

hurling, and there has been a mas-

sive increase in numbers in recent

months.

Due to this, we are always on the

lookout for mentors. It may be just

to throw a ball or even make the tea.

Come along and have some fun.

Seniors: Training takes place

every Thursday at 7pm and Sunday

at 11am.

Training takes place on the pitch

at Blanch IT.

New members are always wel-

come. There are some important

matches coming up so why not

come along, get fit and be part of a

very strong and growing club.

For information please contact

Clare ( juniors) on 085 161 7718,

Charlie (Seniors) or why not like

our page on Facebook for regular

updates.

ST PEREGRINE’SJUNIOR A footballers and minor hurl-

ers were unlucky in championship

action. Junior hurlers are in league

action this Sunday at 3pm and the

minor footballers continue their

championship campaign on Sunday

at 11am away to Naomh Barrog.

Club lotto was not won. Numbers

drawn were 2, 11, 14 and 25. Next

week’s jackpot is €5,200.

Any member not buying lotto tick-

ets should visit cnp.ie and support

your club for only €2 a week and is

also available to play online using

the link on the club website.

Entertainment this Saturday from

Blindside.

If anybody has any submissions

for this year’s yearbook, could you

please email pro.stperegrines.dub-

[email protected], no matter how small or

big the reports are.

Annual race night will take place at

Shelbourne Park on October 29.

Peregrine’s Christmas ball is on

December 3, details and contacts

on the club website cnp.ie.

There is a Christmas fair on in the

club on December 10, please contact

Cara for futher details.

DUBLIN SFC ROUND 3St Brigid’s 0-14

Na Fianna 0-11

[email protected]

ST BRIGID’S set up a repeat of the 2010 Dublin senior football championship f inal with Kilmacud Crokes after they got the better of Na Fianna last Satur-day in Parnell Park.

Br ig id ’s d id jus t enough to get past a battling Glasnevin out-fit who were never fully out of sight in a decent, quality encounter that was appealing to the fans and the neutral observers.

The Russell Park men had built a 0-9 to 0-6 at half-time, but their Na Fianna opposition stormed back into the game early in the sec-ond half, benefiting fron a string of points from Adam Caffrey, Niall Cooper and Johnny Cooper, to achieve par-ity going into the final third.

But a bumper spell from Brigid’s followed when they snagged the next four points, with Paddy Andrews starting the run, to get themselves back into the box seat and, while Na Fianna fought back late, it was not enough to threaten St Brigid’s lead, and the home side took their place in the next round of the cham-pionship.

Final dateIt means a high-qual-

ity last 16 date on the cards, and Brigid’s will aim for instant revenge against Crokes for the defeat at their hands in the 2010 final.

They made it to the final without the serv-ices of Dublin senior player, Declan Lally, while Sean Murray and Cian Mullins were only introduced from the bench, the former coming on to the field of play after 19 minutes had elapsed.

However, they had a flying start, with scores from Ken Darcy, Gavin McIntyre and Gavin Kane see ing them charge into a three-point lead inside seven minutes.

However, Dubl in U-21 star David Quinn was showing well for Na Fianna to kick two points and, by the 15th minute, the minimum, 0-4 to 0-3, divided the sides.

And, in a flowing first half, Brigid’s then took the momentum back with Mark Cahill on the mark.

Na Fianna stole back into the game when they enjoyed their pur-ple patch soon after the break to get back on terms and make for an intriguing closing period.

But Barry Cahill’s mazy runs through the heart of the Na Fianna defences were proving irresistible and the rest of the forward line fed

off his energy.Andrews recovered

the lead with his side’s tenth point, with Lor-can McCarthy’s 45 and scores from both Philly Ryan and Mark Cahill putting the side four points up.

That spell was the game-breaker, leaving four points in the dif-ference with 12 min-utes remaining and Na Fianna could not find a goal threat to reel in the gap.

Plunkett’sMeanwhile, St Oliv-

er Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh found out they will play O’Toole’s in the next round after the Larriers swept by Ball-inteer St John’s at the weekend.

St Peregrine’s, though, are still awaiting a last 16 opponent after Bal-lyboden St Enda’s and Fingal Ravens drew 0-12 after extra time in Lawless Park last Sun-day afternoon.

FOOTBALL: BRIGID’S EASE PAST NA FIANNA IN SFC

St Brigid’s will get another shot at facing Kilmacud Crokes in the Dublin senior championship

Brigid’s set up rerun final against Crokes

ERIN GO BRAGHLAST Sunday, our junior football-

ers travelled to Somerton and beat

our local rivals, Castleknock, in the

championship.

Thanks to the many supporters

who travelled to watch the boys in

green. The quarter-final details will

be confirmed over the coming weeks.

Pictures are now on Facebook.

Our U-11 boys beat Clontarf in one

of the only home matches that went

ahead due to the weather.

We need your unwanted clothes: We

will recycle your unwanted clothes,

shoes, handbags, belts, curtains,

bedding, towels, and raise vital funds

for the club. Bags can be left outside

clubhouse from Monday to Friday

before 2pm.

Drop location is at our clubhouse in

the grounds of Mary Mother of Hope

National School.

ALL OF YOUR BLANCHARDSTOWN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31 OCTOBER 6, 2011

REPEAT APPOINTMENT: Brigid’s set

up championship match with Crokes P31

SEPTEMBER STARSSports Awards winners are announced P29G

azetteSPORT

[email protected]

ERIN Go Bragh advanced to the quarter-finals of the junior D football championship last week when they defeated a hard-working Castleknock side at Somerton Park. It proved to be a game that was more closely contested than the final scoreline of 4-10 to 1-8 would suggest.

Erin Go Bragh signalled their intent almost straight from the throw-in and got a dream start to the game, racking up 1-1 in the opening minutes, with full forward Darren McFaul sliding home the goal after a lovely pass from Mick Burke that split the Castleknock defence.

Castleknock replied with a pointed free soon afterwards to reduce the deficit to three. However, this score only temporarily halted the early Erin Go Bragh onslaught, and a free from Paul Nulty, quickly followed by a goal from corner forward Martin O’Callaghan, gave Go Bragh a seven-point lead after only ten minutes.

This signalled the beginning of Castleknock’s best spell in the match as they tagged on a goal and four unanswered points before Darren McFaul replied for Go Bragh just before half time, to leave the scores at 2-4 to 1-5 in favour of the men in green at the break.

Castleknock began like men possessed at the start of the second half and were level within five minutes. This was the last time they would man-age to gain parity, however, as Erin Go Bragh embarked on a scoring spree that would prove decisive. Paul Nulty slotted over two frees and Dar-ren McFaul also added a point to provide a three-point cushion midway through the second half, and Go Bragh began to play with confidence.

The superior fitness of the likes of Conor Quinn and Mick Burke around midfield began to show, and substitutes Paul Goodall and Dermot Molo-ney combined with Steve Walsh to create a third goal for Erin Go Bragh, opening up a six-point gap.

The sending-off of Castleknock’s centre-half back soon after this goal dented their hopes even further, and the gap could have been even greater had Paul Nulty managed to convert a pen-alty. However, he made amends with another two points for a personal tally of 0-6.

Corner forward Dylan Stephens added a late goal, and a solitary point was all that Castleknock could manage in reply, meaning that Erin Go Bragh emerged victorious by an eleven-point mar-gin and secured their place in the quarter-finals.

Speaking after the game, club spokesman Keith Edgley said: “It is great for the community of Erin go Bragh that our junior footballers have reached the quarter-finals in the 25th anniversary year of the re-emergence of this iconic club.

“The squad has been working hard since last November and their hard work is paying off. We are still in with a shout of promotion, and this would not have been possible without the dedica-tion and hard work of the squad of players.”

Erin Go Bragh go Erin Go Bragh go into quartersinto quartersDetermined performance from Littlepace men sees them reach last eight of junior championships

On the up: Erin Go Bragh’s junior footballers are looking forward to the next phase of the competition after their win over Castleknock

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