A Note From the Editor

Hi everyone welcome to issue 40 of Griffiti.

The magazine has undergone many
changes since it began back in November
2004 but it has always strived to keep you in-
formed with whats happening on campus
and hopefully bring a smile to your face. This
month the brilliant Maiken Woll Eide brought
her skills to bear in making this months por-
traits of Graham, recently elected Joe Uzah
and myself.

Cover by: Oscar Finn A lot has happened this month and Griffiti is
full to the brim with articles and photos of
Issue 40 whats been happening on and off campus.
November 2010 We had several photographers down at the
USI march on the 3rd of November turn to
Editor: Oscar Finn
page 14 to check them out. We also have a
Sub-Editor: Jonathan Keane
great article on the difficulties facing people
wishing to adopt in Ireland written by Julianne Lawlor and you can find that on
Design: Oscar Finn
page 17. Competition wise we have tickets for you and 5 friends to see Man in
the Mirror see details on page 13. Lastly I would like to say thank you to everyone
Contributers:
who submitted work this month and if you haven’t submitted anything yet why
Antonia Luehmann
not? As always we are looking for new and exciting features to put in the maga-
Brendan Beagon
zine so if you want to contribute drop us a line. I hope you enjoy this months mag-
Brian O’Donoghue
azine and I’ll see you next month for our December issue. Bye for now.
Dan Huangshou
Oscar Finn - Editor
Darren Cleary
Emma Loughran
Helena Nilsson
Ian Donnegan
Jessica Park Funn Lou
Contents
Jojo Chau
Julianne Lawlor
4 state of the union
Maiken Woll Eide
Sam Boal 6 students union news
Shane Cunnane
Tim Whelan
10 party people

Advertising Enquiries:
12 super 80’s roller disco
(01) 4150463
14 students movement - Usi March
Printed by:
Speciality Print 16 booze cruise to an early grave
Griffiti Magazine
Griffith College Students’ Union 18 difficulties adopting in ireland
South Circular Road
Dublin 8
Ireland
19 in focus: fashion
Ph: (01) 4151463
Email: griffiti@gcd.ie
www.gcd.ie/griffiti
22 griffiti at the movies
Griffiti Magazine is a publication of Griffith Col- 24 Gareth Pearson Interview
lege Students’ Union established in 2004.

All contents copyright of Griffiti, Reproduction of

26 the genuine article
any part of the magazine without permission
from the publisher is strictly prohibited. 29 movember
The views expressed in Griffiti do not necessarily
reflect that of the college or the Students’ Union
30 shamrock rovers

3
 StATE OF THE UNION
I hope you guys enjoyed all the events that
happened over the past month, some of
which included the Catherine McGuinness
talk, LGBT Karaoke Night, the Glen-
dalough, Enniskerry and Wicklow Day Trip,
the Halloween fancy dress Ball, a Super
80’s Roller Skating Disco and Diwali. Over
the coming months we hope to build on the
frequency and mass of the events that
have occurred to date.
Upcoming, we have the Poker Tournament
upstairs in the SU, a School Disco down in
Arthurs, the International Trip to Galway
and the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare at
the end of the month and a few surprises
in store for the run up until Christmas time,
which I won’t ruin for you now.
I’m delighted to be working with Joe Uzah,
who was recently chosen as the new Vice
President in the Student Council by-elec-
tion. I believe Joe will give the clubs, sports
and societies which he is so passionate
Office Opening Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 09:30 - 19:30
Friday: 09:30 - 17:30
email: su.president@gcd.ie
Ph: (01) 415 0418
4
about his upmost attention and
will do a fine job throughout the
year of serving students to the
best of his ability.
In the past weeks, we had the first
Student Council meeting of the
year which was very successful,
where everyone in attendance
had an input. You can read the full
minutes on Page 8. Also this
month, we re-ignited our cam-
paign to lobby members of the
Oireachtas for Maintenance
Grants to become available to
Griffith College student on a
means tested basis. At present,
this is not the case as private col-
lege students are automatically
excludes. With the new re-written
Student Support Bill to be pub-
lished soon, we’ll be pressing all
TD’s and Senators across all par-
ties on this matter to ensure pro-
vision is made so Griffith College,
and other private college students
alike can potentially avail of a
Higher Education Maintenance
Grant.
Over a weekend in mid-October, I attended
the Activist and Officer Training day organ-
ised by USI in Trinity College. There were
presentations and workshops given by a
host of speakers available for Students’
Union officers across the country to help
them improve their working skills with each
other in their Unions, as well as with stu-
dents in their respective colleges. It also
gave necessary and relevant training for
Executive Officers, which would not be
available in their own colleges, including
Griffith. I firmly believe that these gather-
ings that occur throughout the year of
Union Representatives and Class Repre-
sentatives from all around country will,
over time, make the Students’ Union here
in our own college a more effective, effi-
cient and workable entity.
I will be attending the next National Council
of USI at the National University of Ireland
in Galway (NUIG) this month which I hope
to report back on in the next issue.
With a possible General Election in the
coming months, it is important that stu-
dents who are not already registered to
vote should do so now. Voting in General
Elections is the method by which citizens
can express their preference as to who
forms the national government. The pri-
mary function of members of Oireachtas is
to pass laws which shape the society in
which we live.
A draft register is compiled each year and
you have between now and Thursday 25th
November to make a correction or have
your name included. Resident Irish and
British citizens are entitled to vote at all
General Elections, where each con-
stituency votes to send its representatives
to Dáil Eireann. Students living at home
can register in their own constituency or
students living here on campus in the Halls
of Residence can register with Dublin City
Council for the Dublin South Central con-
stituency which we’re in. See www.check-
theregister.ie for more information.
As some of you may know, I represent stu-
dents on the Academic and Professional
Council (APC) which meets every month
to discuss the furthering of educational en-
hancement that the college may provide. If
you have any ideas that you feel I should
submit or express, please do let me know.
Until the next issue, keep an eye on the
notice boards around the campus and our
Facebook page for all the upcoming
events we have for everyone to take part
in.
As always, we’re in the Meagher Building
if you need us for anything!
Graham Butler
President
Students’ Union
 StATE OF THE UNION
Firstly I would just like to say hello and in-
troduce myself I am Joe your new Sports
& Societies Officer. I’m sure many of you
know me but for those who don’t if you ask
anyone who knows me they will tell you
that I am very passionate about sports and
I hope that I can use my time here in the
SU to make this the most successful year
yet for our teams .
I would also like to take this opportuinity to
thank everyone for their support and par-
ticipation in this year’s clubs and societies.
Clubs
Men’s Soccer
There has been a major improvement this
season with male soccer team under the
management of Coach/Manager Leroy
Rhodes. With almost a complete new
squad the team have been able to adapt
very quickly to each other’s playing ability
and skill. I am glad to report they remain
unbeaten in the early stages of the league.
•Griffith college 3 - Mater Dei 1
•Griffith College 1 - Drogheda Institute of
FE 1
•Griffith College 3 - St. Pat's College-
Drumcondra 2
Also with a game in hand against Cavan
institute the football team have the oppor-
tunity to go joint first with league leaders
Drogheda. So far we have the highest goal
scorer in the division playing for our team
Kay Oladele with three hat tricks to his
name.
Rugby
Our rugby team though riddled with injuries
will rise from the ashes like a phoenix to
regain our once strong form. With matches
against IT Carlow , IT Blanchardstown and
ITC Cork the rugby team have a tough
challenge ahead and I have faith in them
as I have been actively involved in the
sport and I know they are tough enough to
rise up to the challenge.
Joseph Uzah
Clubs & Societies Officer
Students’ Union
Ladies soccer
This year Griffith College is proud
to announce its first ever ladies
football team. For all who are inter-
ested in signing up, contact the
Captain Martina Patterson on 085
7711780.
Basketball
I would like to encourage everyone
interested in basketball to attend
weekly training sessions in st
Catharine’s Marrow Bow Lane
every Thursday from 2 untill 4. I
hope to see more numbers at train-
ing sessions as many matches are
still yet to be played.
Societies
Dance
The dance society is one of the
major societies to start up this year. The Griffith college poker tournament is on
Although Hip-Hop orientated, the dance Tuesday 16th November 2010 at 7.30. It is
society seeks to diversify by branching into
other forms of dance such as contempo- one of many events lined up with plenty
rary and salsa. more on the way. This term is now in full
swing and there is lots to look forward to.
Music
The music society is another major society
which we would seek to promote. Only
newly formed the music society has pro-
duced a band with tremendous potential.
So look out for the band as future perform-
ances are inevitable.
Yoga
Yoga society is a society which seeks to
promote healthy living and it is open to all.
Classes are on Tuesdays at 7pm in the
Students’ Union building.
This year there are many events lined up,
so be sure to come up to the SU or take
note of the notice boards around college.
Office Opening Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 09:30 - 19:30
Friday: 09:30 - 17:30
email: sports.su@gcd.ie
Ph: (01) 415 0418
5
 Students’ Union News
The Law Society in conjunction with the
Griffith College Students' Union was de-
lighted to host a talk on the Law Reform
Commission delivered by its President,
The Honourable Mrs Justice Catherine
McGuinness.
The speech, which centred on the work
that the Commission carries out, along
with its structural make-up, was attended
by many law students in the Conference
Centre Building on Wednesday 13th Octo-
ber 2010. Students were given the oppor-
tunity to ask the former Supreme Court
Justice questions on the Commission, as
well as her role in other areas such as
being a member of Seanad Eireann, as
well as her positions on many Boards and
Councils.
Pictured with Mrs Justice McGuinness is
Bernard White (Auditor of the Griffith Col-
lege Law Society), Eoin McKenna (2nd
Year Law Student) and Graham Butler
(Students' Union President).
At the Academic and Professional Council
Meeting (APC) which took place on Friday
29th October, the issue of a Career Advi-
sory Service arose. Ideally the college and
the Students’ Union would like to have a
full-time facility in place within the college
where students may use these services for
a number of purposes such as creating a
CV, searching for a postgraduate course in
your area, learn about different jobs and
careers, improve your job search skills,
building career skills and professional de-
velopment.
This issue is currently at management
level within the college and will be brought
up on the agenda in December.
6
Former Students’ Union President
Stephen Stokes, now a Town Councillor in
Greystones, Co Wicklow popped in for a
chat with the current Executive Officers
this month to catch up on the progress of
the Union.
Stephen presided over the Students' Union
back during the 2003/2004 academic year
before the Union was situated in the
Meagher Building where it currently lies.
Stokes is set to become Mayor of Grey-
stones in either in June 2012 or June
2013.
This month marked the end of an era for
the Students’ Union as we had to say
goodbye to one of our most valued mem-
bers. Jacquie Ryan returned this year to fill
in as Acting Clubs & Societies officer after
Paddy Daly’s surprise departure. During
her time here she tackled most of the po-
sitions in the SU including welfare officer
and last year as SU President. On behalf
of all here in the SU we wish her all the
best in her future endevours.
Pictured is current President Graham But-
ler and former President Stephen Stokes
with the first ever issue of Griffiti, published
in November 2004.
This month soccer coach Leroy Rhodes
stopped by to update us on the success of
the College teams. Here’s what he had to
say: “Being in charge of the college soccer
team for the last 4 years has been very re-
warding for the fact that every year i've
seen great progress.It's like taking a puz-
zle and putting it together.This season
see's the team as possibly having their
On Friday 5th November, the Students'
Union was pleased to announce that the most successful season ever..I've seen
good player's come and go each year but
broadband connection speed in the col-
lege has doubled from 50Mb to 100Mb. this has to be the strongest squad i've
been able to put together..I have to thank
This is something that the Union has cam-
paigned for over a number of years and we Paul, Joe and Jackie for their input and
hard work to make it possible for me to do
are happy to see this implemented this
month. my job to the best of my ability..I would like
to congratulate Martina and Joanne on
This campus-wide roll-out is to meet the in-
creasing and growing demand for capacity training with the Leinster ladies team.. I'm
looking forward to propelling the ladies
from all areas in the college for ‘gofreegcd’,
which includes the Meagher Building be- football team forward just like the men's
team so i hope i see more women attend
longing to the Students’ Union.
training.
 Students’ Union News
We here at the Ministry for infor-
mation A.K.A. Griffiti Magazine
are looking for articles for the
magazine. We are looking for sto-
ries, interviews, features on fash-
ion, sports, college life, social
issues, anything and everything.
We’re also interested in any of
you fiction/short story writers, if
you’ve got something, we’d love
to see it. After all this is your mag-
azine and it is up to you to help
create the content that goes into
it.

You do not have to be a journal-

ism student to have work in Grif-
fiti, if you have an interesting story
to tell then contact the editor at
griffiti@gcd.ie If you are a photog-
rapher and you have a photo
essay but would like someone to
assist you write up the story drop
us a line or indeed if you need a
photgrapher for a feature article
we can help arrange that.

For photographers we have alot

of opportuinities for you to display
your work, First off we have the
cover and with Christmas coming
next month we hope to see lots of
festive images. We also have
hope to have a different photogra-
pher each issue to provide por-
traits of the Editor and the
President and Vice President. We
are of course looking for interest-
ing photo essays, and images
from college and SU events so say there are a number of op- The funniest, most entertaining or
get snapping. tions: insightful comments will feature in
the magazine.
This year we are hoping to make email griffiti@gcd.ie with'campus
Griffiti more interactive and we banter' in the subject line As you may have seen from the
want to hear what you have to advert in the last issue we are
say. From the next issue onwards via facebook on either the 'cam- hoping to launch a podcast, but
we will have a new section called pus banter' page we need your help. If you wish to
'Campus Banter' which will be (http://tinyurl.com/32uv4rk) or on get involved drop us a line.
filled with your comments on any- the legendary 'Overheard At Grif-
thing and everything happening at fith College Dublin' page
GCD. If you want to have your (http://tinyurl.com/2ua55zf)

7
 Students’ Union News
Student Council Meeting
Thursday 21st October 2010 – AF301
The first class rep meeting of the new col-
lege year took place on Thursday October
21st. First and foremost the meeting re-
solved the issue of the Clubs and Societies
Officer in the Students’ Union. Acting Offi-
cer Jacquie Ryan and candidate Joseph
Uzah both presented their aims and objec-
tives to the council who then voted on the
position. Joseph Uzah won by a margin of
18 votes to 8. Congratulations to Joseph.
Another hotly discussed topic was the
Union of Students Ireland (USI). Currently
Griffith College is not an active affiliate with
the national union and the council unani-
mously agreed collectively to pursue mem-
bership.
SU President, Graham Butler, outlined the
Chair:
Graham Butler – Students’ Union President
pros of the affiliation which included Griffith
students’ greater influence in lobbying for
eligibility for Higher Education Mainte-
nance Grants and the training that is pro-
vided to Class Rep’s and Union Officers
annually, amongst other benefits. Annual
affiliation costs would be discussed at a
later stage.
Nominations also took place for four stu-
dents to sit on the Election Supervisory
Committee (ESC). This entails an involve-
ment with SU President and Manager in
overseeing any elections that are taking
place to ensure they are conducted effi-
ciently.
The matter regarding a Constitution with
the Students’ Union was also raised and
Minutes
will be brought to the next meeting.
To finish, the floor was opened to all class
reps to shine a light on any concerns or
comments they had. Unease was raised
about the arrival of lecturers late to classes
in BAJVM2; the issue will be looked in to.
The rising prices of repeat fees were also
discussed with many students angered by
the rise which many felt were unwarranted.
The Student Council will be meeting again
on Tuesday November 16th.
Below is a list of all the class reps, if you
have any concerns and issues you’d like
addressed, please talk with them:

Minutes:
Jonathan Keane – BAJ FT 2

Attendance:
Alan Oliver – BAJ FT 1
Anna Vall – BAJVM FT 2
Bernard White – LLB FT 3
Cary Posavitz – BAIHM 1
Darren Cleary – BAJVM FT 3
Darren Reid – LLB FT 1
David Martin – BACS FT 3
David Smyth – LLB PT 1
Eoin McKenna – LLB FT 2
Jacquie Ryan – Acting VP / Candidate
Jessica Forrester – BAIHM 2
Jiho Park – BAAF FT 1
Jonathan Keane – BAJ FT 3
Joseph Uzah – Candidate
MD. Habibur Rahman – BAAF 2
Maiken Woll Eide – BAPM FT 3
Mohammad Jassim Al-Dehneem – BABS FT 1
Morana Mavricek – BABL FT 3
Olamide (Ali) Susan Awogboro – HCB 1
Oscar Finn – BAPM FT 3
Paal Rykhus – Interior Design FT 3
Ross McKinley – BASC FT 2
Sandra Beyer – BAIHM 3
Zhan Sergejev – BAJ FT 2
Zhou Zhiwei – BAAF 2
Zulhkar "Zule" Filandra – BABS FT 3

8
By-Election
A by-election for the position of Vice President, Clubs and Societies Officer vacated by Paddy Daly. Votes cast by secret ballot.

Electorate - 26
Jacquie Ryan - 8
Joseph Uzah - 18
Spoilt - 0

Joseph Uzah declared new Vice President

Election Supervisory Committee (ESC)

Eoin McKenna
Bernard White
Zhan Sergejev
Ross McKinley

Union of Students in Ireland (USI)

Council unanimously agreed the Executive should continue pursuing affiliation. The issue of fee’s was raised but this, along with
other matters about Griffith involvement in USI from affiliation point onwards is to be discussed when SU President Graham Butler
meet’s with USI President Gary Redmond the following week.

Issues brought by Class Reps

- BAJVM2 raised concern over lecturers constantly arriving late. Survey forms from Faculty will be distributed at some point during
the Semester.

- BASC2 brought up that students arriving late causing disruption.

- BAJVM2 looking for how to organise a class party. Super 80’s Roller Skating Disco event for the 4th November mentioned. Rep to
speak with Exec at a later time

- BAJVM3 enquired about the rise in repeat fees. The President informed the reps that since the last academic year, there has
been no increase in the repeat fee. The cap issue is to be looked when further details are brought to the Exec.

- BAPM FT 3 and Editor of Griffiti Magazine Oscar Finn encouraged the class reps to get more of their students to write articles and
pieces for the magazine.

Next Meeting
Tuesday 16th November 2010.
6:30pm.
AF301.

If your class is not represented at Student Council, please contact your faculty.

9
G r i ff i t h C o l l e g e r e c e n t l y w e l c o m e d a n u m b e r o f e x c h a n g e s t u d e n t s f r o m D e n m a r k
a n d t o c e l e b r a t e t h e S U o r g a n i z e d a S u p e r 8 0 ’s R o l l e r D i s c o e v e n i n g f o r a l l m e d i a
f a c u l t y s t u d e n t s a f t e r t h e d i s c o t h e g a n g p a r t i e d t h e n i g h t a w a y a t A n d r e w ’s L a n e .
I t w a s a g r e a t n i g h t w i t h m a n y a b r u i s e d k n e e b e i n g r e p o r t e d t h e f o l l o w i n g d a y.
Thanks to Antonia Luehmann for providing photos from the evening.
Thanks to our friends at MCD, Griffiti is giving
you the chance to win tickets for you and five
friends to see Man in The Mirror at the Olympia
Theatre To win just answer the following ques-
tion

How many cities was Michael Jackson going

play on his ‘This Is It’ tour?

Send your answers to griffiti@gcd.ie


Words Jonathan Keane
Photos Sam Boal, Shane Cunnane &
Tim Whelan
On November 3rd, a student march led
by Union of Students Ireland (USI) made
its presence felt in Dublin city centre
under the banner – Education Not Emi-
gration. A crowd 40,000 strong marched
to the Dáil and the Department of Fi-
nance on Merrion Street in opposition to
proposed increase of the college registra-
tion fees to €3,000 in the forthcoming
budget.
Despite being intended as a peaceful
protest, the day was not without its con-
troversy. Students hurled eggs at the De-
partment of Finance building with chants
including “shame on you”. Gardaí clashed
with a number of students, some of whom
were injured in the discord.
students
Disturbing images and videos flooded the
net later that day of students being man-
handled and pulled from a sit down
protest on the streets, by members of An
Garda Síochána who had donned riot
gear. One officer can be seen dragging
one male student along the ground by his
hair while another student’s face was left
a crimson mask following the clout of a
Garda’s baton.
Several Gardaí on horseback also
charged at some of the gatherings in an
attempt to move the crowds. Many have
dismissed the actions of the day as being
“Garda brutality”.
However, it is also reported that several
students were responsible for instigating
some of the altercations. Two students
were arrested and charged with criminal
damage and breach of peace, respec-
tively.
USI and demonstration leaders were
quick to condemn all violence of the day’s
march.
The USI said in a statement that the body
“is disappointed by the behaviour of a
small number of people, which occurred
during an incident at the Department of
Finance. This incident was completely
separate from USI’s demonstration.”
“The focus of the media coverage has
been on the actions of a small minority
and this has played into the hands of the
Government”, they continued.
Many of those involved in November
3rd’s march are calling for an inquiry into
the actions on An Garda Síochána.
Whether such an inquiry will come to light
and what the extent of education cuts in
budget will be remain to be seen.
movement
 Booze Cruise to an Early Grave
Jojo Chau takes a look at how excessive alcohol consumption is destroying Irish lives.
The average amount of alco-
hol consumed by the people
of Ireland aged 15+ is 12.4
litres of pure alcohol. That
amounts to 46 bottles of
vodka or 129 bottles of wine
per person which puts Ireland
in one of the highest ranks for
alcohol consumption in the 26
EU countries, 20% more than
the average European.
It’s not just adults who are
drinking themselves to an
early grave; it’s also young
people in Ireland. According to
a report by the Office of To-
bacco Control in 2006, 16-17
year olds spend an average of
€20+ per week on alcohol and
over half have reported being
drunk at least once by the age
of 16.
The World Health Organisa-
tion (WHO) has defined binge
16
drinking as drinking six or
more standard drinks during
one drinking session. How-
ever, researchers have ar-
gued against this definition as
it means this consumption
could occur in an evening of
eating or socialising. New re-
search suggests that “drinking
to drunkenness and repeat-
edly subjecting the brain to
the effects of withdrawal from
the presence of alcohol” could
damage brain cells.
When you drink to drunken-
ness, it increases the chances
of you ending up in the Acci-
dent and Emergency Depart-
ment. Could be because
you’ve gotten into an argu-
ment, been assaulted or suf-
fered alcohol poisoning. One
in four who enters into A&E
had alcohol related injuries.
When you drink, alcohol
passes through your blood-
stream and can interfere with
all your brain activities. Drink-
ing too fast is one of the prob-
lems associated with Irish
people. If you drink one stan-
dard drink in less than an
hour, it means you are drink-
ing too fast and should slow
down by taking a break from
drinking as it will affect your
body functions.
Before, men have outnum-
bered women when it comes
to drinking but now women
are drinking just as much.
Four in ten women are drink-
ing excessively and treatment
centres have seen an in-
crease in women seeking help
with drinking problems.
Reasons for people who drink
can be for socialising, dis-
Check out
drinkaware.ie for
more information
tressing, emotional problems.
When people drink it affects
the brain so we could lose
judgment, become emotional
and do things we wouldn’t
normally do.
So what happens to alcohol
that goes through our bodies?
Well first of all alcohol will be
absorbed through the stom-
ach and small intestine, which
is why you should always eat
before or during drinking.
Then it goes through your
bloodstream and within min-
utes you will feel the effects
take place. 90%- 95% of alco-
hol is metabolised by the liver,
the remaining is excreted
through urine, breath and
sweat.
Jojo Chau

Long unbearable delays and frustrating administrative faux pas are only just some of the things that
characterise the adoption process in Ireland. Griffiti’s Julianne Lawlor investigates the process further
The adoption process in Ire-
land is lengthy and compli-
cated. However it is a problem
often overlooked. The availabil-
ity of contraception and the
lessening stigma against single
parenthood has seen the num-
ber of available children, partic-
ularly babies, slow to a mere
trickle in Ireland in the past
decade and with adoption
gates closing in so many pop-
ular countries such as Vietnam
and Russia it is beginning to
become a near desperate
state. You also hear all the hor-
ror stories about children being
bought and sold which makes
it a daunting process to be-
come involved in but for so
many couples who are longing
for a family of their own which
they cannot achieve naturally,
adoption is their only answer.
They should however, prepare
themselves for a long and often
complicated journey.
I got to speak to an Irish cou-
ple, Marie and Paul*, who
began the adoption process in
October 2007. Now three years
later, after having just finished
filling out the initial required
paper work they have begun
the six week preparation
course. From here they will
meet for the first time with a so-
cial worker, then the HSE will
write a letter of recommenda-
tion to the International Adop-
tion Association and they will
then send out the Certificate of
Suitability.
They hope to have this phase
done with by April or May of
next year. They still have yet to
decide which country they
would like to adopt from and
when they do, they could be
facing another two year wait if
they get held up in queues in
their country’s orphanages.
According to a spokesperson
from the International Adoption
Association (IAA) in Dublin, the
waiting times for Irish parents
wishing to adopt abroad vary
considerably. “We are aware
that the total period from ex-
pression of interest to comple-
tion of assessments and
receiving a declaration from the
Adoption Board can amount to
four or five years,” she said.
Marie talked through the entire
adoption process with me. It
was exhausting trying to com-
prehend the obstacles and
challenges they have come up
against so far and it was evi-
dent from her face the emo-
tional and frustrating journey
she has found herself in. How-
ever, with their six week prepa-
ration course underway, Marie
is beginning to see light at the
end of tunnel. “We’re off the
long waiting list and onto the
next one. I’m just hoping we
choose the right country and
that this time we won’t be wait-
ing too long.”
In October 2007, Marie and
Paul attended their first infor-
mation meeting where they re-
ceived an application form and
their number. From here they
had to wait 24 months for their
application to be processed
and their pack to be sent out.
The Difficulties of
Adopting a Child in
Ireland
This contained all forms they
had to fill out over the duration
of the adoption process. Infor-
mation of salaries, their P60s,
medical records and also two
references were some of the
requirements.
The biggest annoyance to
Marie was obtaining her Garda
clearance in Ireland. Her Garda
clearance was annoyingly sent
back to her a couple of months
ago because it was found that
her father’s address was incor-
rect on her birth certificate. She
found this very frustrating as it
has no relevance to adopting a
child. Marie has worked as a
youth worker and a special
needs assistant for years and
has on many occasions
needed Garda clearance for
her work and this was the first
time that anything had ever
been a problem.
What worries Marie and Paul
the most is the pressure for
time. All the initial forms that
her and her husband filled out
are only valid for a year, this in-
cludes the Garda clearance.
So from last September, when
she received this clearance
she has a year to find a child
and be successful in the final
stages of the adoption process
or they will have to fill out all the
required documents again.
The Certificate of Suitability,
which gives the prospective
parents the authorisation to
begin their search for a child
abroad, is only valid for three
years and if it runs out and you
haven’t been in touch with the
IAA to prolong it, you could be
looking at another five years
before you have the chance to
adopt again because you have
to go right back to the very
start. For Marie and Paul it is a
race against time.
So far in their journey Marie
and Paul have had a few set-
backs mainly due to the negli-
gence of the HSE. Marie and
Paul seriously considered mov-
ing to Donegal or Sligo when
they first decided on adopting a
child as the whole process is
faster than in Dublin by about
18 months. There is only one
adoption agency in Ireland, run
by the HSE, so undoubtedly
their work load is great, but for
the couples involved that have
to sit around and wait while
their precious time is ticking by,
it is not acceptable. Marie says
that some of their documenta-
tion was left sitting on a social
worker’s desk while she went
on maternity leave and it then
took months to hunt them
down. She also had great diffi-
culty with obtaining suitable ref-
erences because of a lack of
communication between the
board and themselves.
“The HSE never specified that
our references didn’t have to
have children of their own or
that they had to be in our catch-
ment area, so therefore not
outside Kildare. We don’t know
many people who are not re-
lated that have children and
live in our catchment area. So
we had our chosen two and
sent off the forms for them to
 be sent back because one ref-
erence lived a couple of miles
too far away.”
Irish legislation and policy mak-
ing in intercountry adoption in
the coming years will be bound
by international conventions.
The two key conventions which
will govern this are the United
Nations Convention on the
Rights of the Child and The
Hague Convention on the Pro-
tection of Children and Co-op-
eration in Respect of
Intercountry Adoption.
The Hague Convention is a
multilateral agreement de-
signed to protect children, birth
parents and adoptive parents
from dubious adoption prac-
tices. Adoptions are only autho-
rised from countries that are
signatories to the convention or
which have a bilateral adoption
agreement with Ireland.
Ireland is not yet Hague ratified
but has bilateral agreements
with most Hague ratified coun-
tries. Marie and Paul have
been researching two specific
Hague countries which they
hope to adopt from. It used to
be that you had to choose a
country to adopt from at the be-
ginning of the adoption process
but now you have more than
one option and more time to
choose a country.
Marie and Paul are considering
Mexico as it is a Catholic coun-
try. Mexico looks upon Ireland
as a favourable country for
prospective adoptive parents
as they acknowledge our
strong Catholic customs. How-
18
ever Mexico is the most expen-
sive country to adopt from be-
cause of the agencies in
America that control the adop-
tions. It is all very legitimate
and this reassures Marie and
Paul because there is the fear
of buying babies through false
agencies.
The costs
are high
due to
lawyer fees
and also
travel fees
as you are
required to
stay in
Mexico for
up to three
months be-
cause the
m o t h e r
holds the
right to her baby for the first
three months. The aspect that
really appeals to both Marie
and Paul is that you are more
than likely able to adopt a new
born baby because in Mexico
most babies are adopted
straight from the mother rather
than from an orphanage. How-
ever with the closure of Viet-
nam and Russia, the list in
Mexico of people from Ireland
trying to adopt has doubled.
One of the requirements ruled
out in the adoption handbook is
that you provide an environ-
ment where the child’s original
nationality, race, culture, lan-
guage and religion will be val-
ued and appropriately
promoted throughout child-
hood. For this reason Marie
and Paul are very attracted to
adopting from Thailand. This is
another country that is Hague
ratified and has a bilateral
agreement with Ireland. Marie
and Paul travelled around Thai-
land in their twenties and fell in
love with
the country.
“We feel
like we
have a real
connection
with Thai-
land and
we could
see our-
selves visit-
ing there
again and
again.”
The IAA
has com-
mented before about the ne-
cessity for a “Grandfather
Clause”, as recommended by
the Law Reform Commission.
Such a mechanism would ex-
pand the exceptional cases
permitted under section 81 of
the Adoption Bill 2009 to allow
families which have adopted a
child or children from a non-
Hague or bilateral country, to
adopt a sibling, with similar cul-
tural and country origins for
their adopted children. The
Adoption Board has stated,
and indeed Irish policy is that
we should be building families,
not creating one-child house-
holds. This is an option that
Marie and Paul hope to explore
if they adopt from Thailand.
Thailand also has a culture
whereby the well-being and
care of their children are its
main priorities. So although the
country is very poor and their
orphanages are run down, they
are kept small so that the chil-
dren in them are not neglected.
It is said that for every year a
child is left neglected in an or-
phanage it affects their devel-
opment by five years. As a
special-needs assistant who
works one-on-one with an
autistic woman, who was
adopted from a Russian or-
phanage 20 two years ago,
Marie is only too aware of the
severe mental problems that
can arise which can be initially
undetected in a small child.
Although the process has been
tiresome to say the least, it is
their desire for a child of their
own that keeps them going and
hopefully by next summer they
will be well on their way. But
Marie pointed out a major point
which she feels couples often
get caught up in and according
to the IAA is not the reason to
apply to adopt a child. She
said, “Adoption is in the interest
of the child and you have to
keep the frame of mind that it is
the child that you are adopting
that needs a home and a fam-
ily, not that you have a desire
for a child.”
* Names changed as intervie-
wees wished to remain anony-
mous
Julianne Lawlor
20
21
 Griffiti At the Movies
Title: Let Me In
Cert: 16
Running time: 115 minutes
Release Date: Out Now
This is a stylish and provoca-
tive vampire thriller by director
Matt Reeves and produced by
the godfathers of gore: Ham-
mer Horror. Reeves brought
fear and suspense into our liv-
ing rooms once with Cloverfield
and now he’s done it again.
This is an adaptation
of the Swedish cult horror
novel and movie Let the Right
One In by emerging writer John
Ajvide Lindqvist.
Let Me In is set in
snow covered New Mexico in
1983 and tells the story of an
awkward young boy called
Owen who is tormented by bul-
lies in school and barely no-
ticed at home. He is a social
outcast and spends his time
fantasising of his revenge on
those who hurt him and spying
on the unseen lives of the in-
habitants in his apartment com-
plex. Life seems mundane and
full of quiet sorrow until a
young girl moves in next door.
22
Abbey is seemingly just as re-
cluse and awkward yet undeni-
ably carefree so it was
inevitable that they soon de-
velop a close relationship.
But all is not right in
this tranquil suburb of New
Mexico as there are growing
numbers of gruesome unex-
plained deaths getting closer to
his doorstep. Grown men are
found tied upside-down to
tree’s with every drop of blood
drained from their withered
bodies.
Owen begins to sus-
pect someone in his apartment
complex but surely it could not
be Abbey; the source of his
new found love and affection?
This film is a complex
amalgamation of a coming of
age drama portraying all its
wonders and innocence com-
bined with the gruesome myth-
ical horror of a contemporary
vampire film. It is offbeat in its
approach and I believe it will be
a cult success with chilling have been a fan of or even
scenes set to a wonderful seen the original, then I would-
soundtrack of haunting seven- n’t waste my time seeing an
ties and eighties hits. Some of Americanised version of the
the elements within the film exact same film.
suggest that young Owen and But for those of you
Abbey are modern day horror who have not seen the original
equivalent of Romeo and than Let Me In is a guaranteed
Juliet. favourite it will have you quiv-
If this film were to be ering in your cinema seat and
independent of an original I will make you think twice about
would recommend it to anyone walking alone in snow covered
with 5 stars but as it stands a suburbia.
remake I have some issues.
The original Let the Right One Emma Loughran
In was such a success in its
subtle and poignant approach
to a vampire film, it reclaimed
some much needed respect to
the horror genre after some re-
cent set backs. No offence
team Edward!
Let Me In lacks this
distinct poignancy and keeps
almost word for word in some
scenes with the original which
leads me to believe it is a point-
less remake. If like me; you
 Griffiti At the Movies
Title: R.E.D.
Cert: 12A
Running time: 111 minutes
Release Date: Out Now
Retired, Extremely
Dangerous. The meaning of the
title, and a stamp on the main
character Frank Moses' (Bruce
Willis) file. It pretty much sums
up the whole film.
Loosely based on a
short comic book series by the
famous writer Warren Ellis, Red
begins by showing us the life of
a former black-ops agent,
Moses. It's a lonely life, involv-
ing eating cereal, exercising in
a basement, putting out the bins
and borderline phone stalking a
customer service agent for the
pension service, Sarah (Mary-
Louise Parker), all scored to a
happy clappy montage tune.
Moses' dreary exis-
tence is then rudely interrupted
one night, by a group of assas-
sins trying to kill him, and
though they manage to demol-
ish his house in the process, he
dispatches them with ease, and
sets the ball rolling for the rest
of the story: find out who is try-
ing to kill him and why, and stop
them.
Along the way, we
meet his old contacts, and ene-
mies, an ensemble cast com-
prising of a chilled out Morgan
Freeman, a fantastically insane
John Malkovich, a feisty Helen
Mirren, and a wonderfully
hammed up Russian Brian Cox.
All play their parts with aplomb,
and it is the acting alone that
makes this worth a look. Throw
in some very well executed
stunts and explosions, and a
decent soundtrack, and you
have enjoyable way to spend
two hours.
This movie doesn't re-
ally take itself too seriously, and
is all the better for it. The plot is
nothing you haven't seen a
dozen times before, so I did feel
my mind wandering at the qui-
eter story driven parts, but the
twist of having the characters
being aged retirees rather than
beefed up agents in their prime,
gives it an interesting feel.
There are plenty of gags to
keep you laughing, like
Malkovich complaining like a
spoilt child: “I haven't killed any-
one in years!” You can also tell
that there is a great chemistry
between the cast, and that
they're loving every minute of it,
though a flakey turn by Parker
does get wearisome after a
while, and you end up wishing
her killed off in some hilarious
fashion. Karl Urban is on top
form though, as the main villain,
scowling and grunting his way
through the film like a bull in
heat.
Though the plot pre-
dictably plays out as you'd ex-
pect, its wit and seasoned cast
make this film impossible not to
like. You know that its mediocre
story should have been much
better with actors of this calibre,
but when it comes down to it,
you realise that its put on a
smile on your face for the guts
of two hours. You can't ask for
more than that.
Brendan Beagon
Title: Vampires Suck
Cert: 12A
Running time: 82 minutes
Release Date: Out Now
Staring no one you
have ever heard of or are likely
ever to hear of again Vampires
Suck is a film that certainly
lives up to its name in that it
has Vampires and, surprise
surprise, it sucks.
This vile piece of cin-
ematic excrement took ninety
minutes of my life that I can’t
get back so at least in one
sense it operates much the
same way vampires do.
Lets face it is unlikely
that anyone imagined that this
would be a good movie and I
am yet to decide who would
hate this more, people who
love the twilight saga or people
who loathe it as this film basi-
cally chews up the first two twi-
light movies throws in a hefty
dose of really bad jokes and
then regurgitates it back on to
celluloid ready to be distributed
around the world where it will
sadly make a profit which will
result in providing the minions
of Satan who produced this
awful mess reason enough to
make another ‘spoof’ of
mediocre movies`.
When writing a review it is im-
portant to be critical yet fair and
balanced so I should mention
some of the films better points
of which there is one and that
is when the credits rolled and I
could leave the cinema and be
thankful films of this calibre
have a large marketing budget
so you will be able to see them
coming and know to turn the
other way and run for the hills.
Oscar Finn
Next month is the last
issue before the
Christmas break so if
you would like to write
a review or write a
piece on what we can
look forward to at the
cinema over the break
drop in to the SU
building or email grif-
fiti@gcd.ie
23
 music Reviews
Griffiti’s Jonathan Keane talks to guitarist Gareth Pearson
about learning guitar, writing songs and his influences
It must be a near inexpressible feeling to
not only receive the seal of approval of
your idol but to also have their encourage-
ment and words of wisdom. For acoustic
instrumentalist, Gareth Pearson one such
thing happened.
“When the Welsh Tornado hits your town,
get ready for total devastation!” was what
one Tommy Emmanuel had to say about
Gareth Pearson. This comment from Em-
manuel, a legend in finger-style guitar, is
only a mere allusion of Pearson’s abilities
which have already seen him release his
debut record Urban Echoes Vol. 1 and play
the festivals stateside.
You started playing when you were 14.
Were there many musicians in your
family?
Yeah, that’s correct. My dad played guitar
and I’m pretty much self taught. He bought
me my first guitar when I was 14. I got in-
troduced and inspired by Tommy Em-
manuel and that led me directly to Chet
Atkins, Merle Travis and Jerry Reed. They
were my first guitar teachings; they were
my teachers at that point, just listening to
their music picking out how to play their
songs as closely to their records as possi-
ble.
When you started playing did you get
any formal guitar lessons?
No, I could never really afford lessons and
truth be told I still can’t afford to pay for les-
sons! I kind of developed my technique
from just learning and watching how they
play, studying their hands.
So, did your own style just come to you
with time?
Yeah, it naturally developed. It took me
about a year to get more of my own tech-
nique in there but I think for the first few
years I was just a carbon copy of Chet
Atkins and the finger-style of Tommy Em-
manuel.
I got more into the percussive and the
snap beat, that kind of thing. Eventually
then, it kind of created my own style.
How did it feel to be praised by some-
one like Tommy Emmanuel?
It’s hard to believe really, you’re talking
about one of the best guitar players in the
world. It’s humbling and inspiring to think
someone like that is that supportive and
likes your stuff.
How did he become aware of you?
I got to meet Tommy before a show and he
gave me some advice on how to improve
my playing. Then about five months later I
supported him and did opening shows in
Wales and some stuff around the UK with
him. Eventually, he brought me to
Nashville for the Chet Atkins Appreciation
Society and after that then I was doing
tours with him.
I started doing those shows when I was
about 15 and 16, but my first professional
tour was when I was 18.
When did you decide that you wanted
to make a career out of this?
I already decided I wanted to do that the
second I played guitar. The only other job
I had was a paper boy and I got fired from
that which shows I’m not really capable of
holding that kind of job! I always wanted to
be an entertainer and I got a lot of support
from people in guitar and folk clubs, that
kind of egged me on to really pursue this
as a career.
When did you start recording your own
material?
I started recording stuff when I was 16 and
I released my first EP when I was 17. My
first real album (Urban Echoes Vol. 1) has
just been released on the Candy Rat label
and that was when I was 21.
bands?
music Reviews
Have you ever done anything with
I’ve done some stuff in bands, just filled in
with guitar work and stuff. But my main ca-
reer has just been a solo acoustic guitar
player.
How do you approach the writing of
your own songs? What’s the process
like?
I kind of just let them come to me. I don’t
have any training in song writing. I know
the kind of music I like and I try to figure
out and just write the music that in my mind
has already been written. I try to portray
my feelings through playing the guitar. I
think I’ve got enough technique and ideas
to express myself. I’m lucky that some-
times I can’t express myself so I have to
develop more technique, so they compen-
sate each other.
Tell us about the recording process of
the Urban Echoes Vol. 1.
I first went to Germany to record tracks
with a guy called Henno Althoff who
recorded Tommy Emmanuel’s Only album.
I went from there to Chicago to record
some tracks and then I went from Chicago
to Newport, of all places. I was in two
places where I had to catch planes and
then Newport on my doorstep. I recorded
the tracks there with my brother; I had to
do that, I was having some tuning prob-
lems in Chicago.
How long did it take?
This actually took a lot longer than I
thought. It took about three months.
Why did you choose to re-arrange and
play some popular songs on this
album?
I wanted to express a new way of finger-
style. There are six of my own tunes on the
record where it’s more of my approach, my
feelings and ideas on acoustic guitar.
Then, I wanted to get the feel of more con-
temporary music. A lot of people like to do
jazz standards on [other] people’s tunes. I
wanted to take a new approach and do
bands like Weezer and Radiohead, to try
and get a feel of what kind of music I like,
something to sum me up and what kind of
musician I am.
Do you think that by including such re-
interpretations that it makes it easier to
get your work known, opposed to an
album of solely original material?
I think so; it was a good idea to do them
because it broadens up the range. I do a
track called ‘Blue Smoke’ and that’s one
arrangement by Merle Travis which is my
roots of finger-style. I do some Michael
Jackson stuff, where it’s more of my
favourite pop music and that contrasts re-
ally well. I think it helps people understand
my personality.
What are your plans regarding a new
album? Are you planning more and
arrangements and interpretations or
more original material?
I’m going to be working on my new album
when this tour has ended. After, I got some
time off so I’ll be working on a new album.
I think there’s only about three or four
arrangements that I’m going to be doing on
my next CD, just to finish off Urban
Echoes. This is obviously going to be Vol.
2. I’ll have about six or seven of my own
tunes.
Can you give any indication of when we
can hear it?
I don’t want to put a date because when-
ever people put a date, sometimes it never
gets set. But it’ll be sooner rather than
later.
25
 Harry Potter

THE book missing

from Library
reward if

GENUINE found.
Contact
Rob

ARTICLE
McARTHUR’S
CRISIS HITS
STUDENT
BODIES
By Daniel James

Obesity in Griffith College has
skyrocketed since the introduc-
tion of the ‘Meal Deal Combo’
to Arthurs. The deal offers a
12” Pizza, potato wedges,
seven chicken wings and two
cans of coke for the low, low
price of 11.99.
The Genuine Article spoke to
one enormous victim of the
restaurant’s latest Machiavel-
lian scheme. ‘It’s turned my life
upside-down. It’s such a good
deal but after three deals a day
you’ve spent 36 Euro. I’m a stu-
dent; I don’t have that kind of
money to throw away on meal
deals. I get up in the morning
and I say “ I’m not getting the
26
deal today” But I’m Just kid-
ding myself, I’m an addict, I
need it, man!’ Said the student
while gorging on a fresh meal
deal and struggling to breath.
Some Griffith students have re-
sorted to prostitution and other
illegal activities in order to get
a fix from the cafeteria result-
ing in a criminal underworld
forming in the college led by
the that guy who works in
Arthur’s with the great evening
shadow... I think his name is
Greg or Tom or
something...anyway...
Fights have broken between
friends who get the deal to
gether over who gets the last
chicken wing. This was
Arthur’s plan all along. They
offer an odd number of wings
so that people fight and end up
getting the deal to themselves
instead in future. This way
Arthur’s make twice as much
profit while students’ lives are
ruined.
But for just 10 Euro a month
you can help stop the surge of
the meal deal on Griffith Col-
lege. Call 1860 69 69 69 and
make a difference today. Unat-
tractive, fat people are techni-
cally people as well, help them
to not be so hard to look at.

Smoke machine explodes at Halloween ball, Butler gets high
and vows to use tram co. for all SU events.
There were initial reports that McCormack failed to attend the
Halloween ball, wild rumours he was too scared. When ques-
tioned McCormack tells Genuine Article he was there in a
ridiculously good unrecognisable costume.
Jacquie Ryan found homeless and without clothes on nearby
Camden street after leaving SU
Griffith Soccer team wins match, Heggo springs for pizza.
Butler invites nobody from college to21st castle shindig,
40,000 attend protest in city centre
Negotiations to introduce a third flavour of soup to Arthurs
ongoing
Under the Spotlight
Name: Redmond Quigley
Occupation: Security Guard/ Squirrel Hunter
Hobbies: Hunting Squirrels/ Counting Cars
Likes: A nice long toilet break
Dislikes: A dirty toilet seat
Interesting fact: Has Ireland’s largest collection
of kettles
The contents of this section are satirical and may offend. The views expressed do not represent the views of the SU
THIRD SOUP
IN ARTHUR’S
By Daniel James
As you may have noticed the soup in Arthurs
Restaurant is available every day and to be fair it
is quite yummy.
However Daniel James has discovered that there
is only one surviving member of Griffith College
staff who has ever witnessed a selection of soups
other than Leak and Potato or Vegetable soup.
OMG. Yes it’s true, Paddy O’Pluarasi was a lecturer
here many moons ago and he recalls the faithful
day “Twas like something from one o’dem films
you see these days” he wheezed, “I walked into the
place you call Arthurs, only back then we called it
“the Slop House” the food was feckin lovely but
the man that ran it was Joe Slop so that’s where
we got the name.
But surely there were still only, the now very famil-
iar looking soups, in the funky diner?
“Yes laddie, usually there was, but I remember run-
ning down to the post office and joining the cue to
use the only phone for 4 miles to ring my cousin
Tommy in America, Tommy loved soup ya see and
he had only ever had the one flavour”. Paddy
paused here to sip from his hip flask and pick up
his pet cat and place her in his lap as he sat in his
huge winged arm chair.
“So finally I get through to Tommy, and I tell him
what happened.
I walk into the Slop house I says, and I turn the cor-
ner, and when I lifted the lid on the pot of soup
which is the same pot they use today, I seen it,
tomato soup.
I thought it only existed in fancy French places but
no, and Tommy was astounded, nearly put out his
other hip from hopping around with so much ex-
citement.”
Paddy dozed off after that part of the story, but one
thing is for sure folks, once upon a time, there re-
ally did exist a third soup in Arthurs.
27
28
 movember launch at the waldorf
“A man without a moustache is rather like
a woman with one” said a certain Mr.
Nick Cave once upon a time and while he
has since shed his urbane ‘tasche, it’s a
sentiment we can carry throughout this
month.
It’s November again and that means it’s
the month where it’s encouraged to put
your blood, sweat and tears into growing
the finest, debonair moustache you pos-
sibly can. It’s all in good fun but it comes
with a purpose of much importance and
for a more than worthy cause – prostate
cancer awareness.
Prostate cancer is one of the most com-
mon cancers in men and with thousands
of men being diagnosed in Ireland every
year, according to the Irish Cancer Soci-
ety. Survival rates are increasing, how-
ever only marginally.
Unsurprisingly, Movember’s origins lay in
a piss-up many moons ago but it has
evolved into something its co-founder
Adam Garone never imagined and it can’t
be understated – “The growth of Movem-
ber’s global movement and the spirit of
the Movember community continue to
amaze me each year.”
Movember aims to be to bring awareness
and raise as much money as possible for
prostate cancer research and treatment.
Furthermore, it strives to encourage men
to be more proactive and wary with re-
gards to their health and hopefully, in the
long run, assist in the various researches
and treatment of prostate cancer.
In Ireland, the Movember campaign is in
conjunction with the Irish Cancer Society
and has been rising rapidly since its con-
ception. In 2009 there were over 6,000
registrants, raising €1,015,533, a mas-
sive jump from 2008’s €364,436.
“Movember is our number one fundraiser
in the area of men’s health and men’s
cancer and it has without doubt done so
much to increase awareness of this com-
mon cancer and to get men thinking
about their risk and taking positive ac-
tion”, comments John McCormack, the
CEO of the Irish Cancer Society.
Recently the Waldorf barbershop on
Westmoreland St. celebrated the month’s
launch and was invaded by Johnny
Knoxville, Bam Margera and Jeff
Tremaine who were in Dublin to promote
the release of Jackass 3D. The barber
shop, which was originally opened in
1929 and has been restored to its classic
look and vibe, hosted the event which of-
ficially kick-started the month of Movem-
ber.
So, pop on over to movember.com, can-
cer.ie or waldorfbarbers.com to donate
whatever you can, grow a moustache,
add an air of sophistication to your face
and “change the face of men’s health”.
Words Jonathan Keane
photos Oscar Finn
29
 the league of gentlemen
Shamrock Rovers exhaled a collective sigh of relief as the club finally ended their 16-year wait for a League
of Ireland title.
It was a great en-
dorsement for the League as
the race came right down to the
wire on the final night. Rovers'
2-2 draw with Bray Wanderers
was enough to give them their
16th league title and deny ri-
vals Bohemians a third title in-
a-row on goal difference.
Rovers had been al-
most certain to end their title
drought for long parts of the
season, but four defeats in six
of the last seven games had al-
lowed Bohemians back into the
title race. Galway United's win
over the gypsies last week and
Rovers' victory over Drogheda
United saw the Hoops reclaim
top spot which despite a tense
night in Bray they were able to
hold onto, and seal, what is a
remarkable turn in fortunes for
the Tallaght outfit. It hasn’t
been easy for the Hoops they
faced near extinction in 2005
after relegation from the Pre-
mier Division and went into ex-
aminership because of the off
field financial irregularities, it’s
safe to say though that the
hoops have bounced back.
What of Bohemians, on-field
success is merely papering
over the cracks that are quickly
developing in the club. The
massive blow of not winning
the Airtricity League means
they lose out on, not just the
coveted three in a row; but the
€700,000 in prize money, and
not to mention the lucrative
qualifying campaign of the
Champions League. Bohs are
30
teetering on the brink right now,
the last few weeks have been
tough at Dalymount Park, Pat
Fenlon lost his entire backroom
staff before the Dundalk game
as the club embarked on what
they called “aggressive cost re-
duction measures”
The gypsies current
plight is eerily reminiscent to
that of Shelbourne, one of the
most decorated clubs in Irish
football. They too achieved un-
rivalled
success on
the pitch,
but it was
what went
on behind
the scenes
that saw
the club
enter free
fall in 2007.
Despite
winning the
League,
they were
relegated by the Football Asso-
ciation of Ireland because of
failure to pay wages. This
came just a short time after the
reds historic European run
which saw them progress fur-
ther then any other Irish side in
the Champions League. The
dream was short lived however
and the heavy investment in
players didn’t pay off and Shel-
bournes’ attempt to artificially
create a successful team by
combining the best players in
the league had failed, after rel-
egation the manager and all of
the squad subsequently left the
club.
Pat Fenlon is the common de-
nominator in both scenarios,
his perception as successful is
largely derived from his results
and accolades on the pitch,
these however, go hand in
hand with his transfer policy
and how much he spent on
players both at Shelbourne and
at Bohs’ to bring success to the
clubs, without taking into ac-
count the
long term fu-
ture of those
clubs. Shel-
bourne are
still in ruins
slaving away
in the first di-
vision, while
it’s become
apparent that
Bohs’ are in
serious trou-
ble.
Many of the
Phibsboro outfits problems can
and should be blamed on Pat
Fenlon. I’m sure much to the
dismay of the Bohs’ faithful. For
many supporters it’s hard to
fault a manager that is deliver-
ing on the field but it has left the
gypsies in a precarious posi-
tion.
Of the three clubs the Dubliner
has managed, two of them
have come into massive finan-
cial difficulties, while Fenlon left
Derry City after just 5 months
citing ‘a lack of ambition’ within
the club. Or was it perhaps that
they were reluctant to spend
beyond their means?
It matters little because at Bo-
hemians Fenlon found a club
that would invest in his policies,
and how it has cost them! Now
they are practically begging
fans for money, as the club
have had to put out an appeal
for supporters to ‘loan’ them
cash which they may never see
again. There’s also little chance
of any business coming in to in-
vest in the club. After all why
would they? With an evident
lack of any forward planning
why would any investor waste
money in a loss making entity
run by wildly under qualified
‘professionals’ with no busi-
ness plan and a product that
can only be described as
‘Fisher Price Football’.
The League is a
shambles, the administrators of
the League are jokers, and the
clubs do whatever they want to
be successful, the naive men-
tality of “Let’s spend €500,000
on players and when we win
the league we’ll make a
€200,000 profit” is just out of
date and unrealistic and has
left bohemians on the brink.
They’re not the first side to be
in this position and unless
proper guidelines are imple-
mented by the FAI they cer-
tainly won’t be the last, right
now for the Gypsies the pres-
ent is tense and the future im-
perfect.
Darren Cleary