Major upgrade planned to Dundalk’s IMC Cinema with installation of Galactic auditorium

IMC Cinema in Carroll Village is set for a significant investment with a new Galactic auditorium on the way in the next few weeks.

The new Galactic auditoriums have earned rave reviews at other cinemas around the country for their comfortable reclining chairs, big screens and state of the art sound.

The new screen will be 60ft x 25ft and features Dolby Atmos sound technology with 40 speakers in the theatre, including some in the ceiling.

The new screen also employs new technology which improves light distribution and uniformity, providing more light to more seats. The 3D films will also have a deeper field of view, making pictures more realistic.

The new feature will have a cost, however, as shows on the Galactic screens carry a €1 premium on the ticket price.

The Ward-owned Irish Multiplex Cinemas Ltd doubled its profits last year to €850,379.

New figures lodged with the Companies Office show the firm recorded the sharp jump in operating profits after the company’s gross profits rose from €2.54m to €2.6m.

According to the directors’ report, the profitability of the company increased during the year as a result of management implementing cost savings.

The directors stated: “It is expected that trading in 2015 will not be significantly different to 2014.”

The directors also disclose that they have paid a dividend of €207,000 in April 2015 in relation to the year ended October 2013 and that they have deferred the decision on the payment of a dividend in relation to the year ended October 2014 until a later date.

The profit takes account of non-cash depreciation costs of €410,804. The firm is one of a number of Irish cinema firms operated by the Ward family who own Dublin’s Savoy and Screen cinemas, with the Savoy playing host to many movie premieres.

Ward also has cinemas in Dún Laoghaire, Tallaght, Athlone, Killarney and Ballymena.

Numbers employed by the firm last year reduced from 57 to 44 with staff costs reducing by 24.5% from €1.19m to €903,573.

The firm reduced its administrative costs from €853,723 to €705,117.

The new state-of-the art auditorium could be vital for the cinema in fending off competition from the new Dundalk Omniplex, which is due to open in the coming months at the former Harvey Norman store at Dundalk Retail Park.

Work is understood to have started on the facility in recent weeks.

O’Shaughnessy impresses in Cyclocross League

Ray Fedigan pictured on his Cyclocross League debut in Tallaght

Round two of the Fixx Coffee House Cyclocross League saw riders held to Tallaght’s Tymon Park for a challenging course of grass, tarmac, gravel and complete with a novelty “spiral” section, that caused spectators as much confusion as the riders. The dry conditions saw fast times for both the A and B races.

In the A race, covering eight laps of the course, Cuchulainn Cycling Club had a very successful day. Leading the charge was Ray O’Shaughnessy, coming home in fourth place behind two time Olympian Robin Seymour. Ray is continuing to build good form and should be a medal contender come January in the National Championships

Next Dundalk man home was Gary Shiels in 14th position, who also claimed the first Veteran’s prize despite dropping a chain late on in the day. Johnny McCabe was 20th man home and claimed the first Supervet prize. Aiden McDonald was close behind in 22nd, having dropped down the leader board after sustaining a puncture. Gerry McCabe was only slightly further back in 28th position.

In the B race, consisting of seven laps, the final McCabe brother had a great day claiming 7th overall and first Supervet. Kenny Sullivan was 20th and Ray Fedigan made his cyclocross debut to come home in 60th position in the field of over 90.

Cuchulainn CC recently held their AGM in the Fairways Hotel. A good turn out saw the club discuss a number of initiatives for the year ahead as well as looking back over a successful 2014. The next event for the club is the traditional end of season awards night and Christmas party on Friday December 5th in the Spirit Store.

Dundalk and Rovers must meet again after Tallaght stalemate

Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers must meet again on Monday night to determine which of the two sides will advance to the semi-finals of the FAI Ford Cup after playing out a goalless stalemate in Tallaght Stadium last night.

In a game of few chances, Pat Fenlon’s side thought they had opened the scoring midway through the first half when Karl Sheppard headed home only to see his effort chalked off for offside.

Richie Towell had Dundalk’s best opening of the half soon after when he latched onto a Sean Gannon pass only to be denied by Barry Murphy.

The best opening of the second half also fell the Lilywhites’ way when substitute Kurtis Byrne was slipped through by David McMillan only to curl his effort just wide.

A deep free kick from Daryl Horgan then had to be finger-tipped over by Murphy right at the end as a replay was required.

Shamrock Rovers: Barry Murphy; Simon Madden, Conor Kenna, Jason McGuinness, Luke Byrne; Shane Robinson, Patrick Cregg, Ronan Finn; Kieran Marty Waters (Ciaran Kilduff, 88), Karl Sheppard (Dean Kelly, 66), Gary McCabe (Ryan Brennan, 74).

Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; Sean Gannon, Andy Boyle, Brian Gartland, Dane Massey; Richie Towell, Donal McDermott (Kurtis Byrne, 54), Chris Shields; Darren Meenan(John Mountney, 83), David McMillian (Patrick Hoban, 74), Daryl Horgan.

Referee: Padraigh Sutton

Dundalk move back to the summit with victory over Shamrock Rovers

Dundalk moved back to the top of the table with a hard fought 1-0 victory over Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght Stadium yesterday.

In a game of few chances, the crucial breakthrough arrived in the 66^th minute when Pat Hoban turned in a Kurtis Byrne cross to seal the result.

Stephen Kenny’s side had other chances to make sure of the win but still held out for a result that puts them back on level terms with Cork City but ahead of the Leesiders on goal difference.

Next up for the Lilywhites is the visit of Hadjuk Split to Oriel Park on Thursday for the Europa League tie, followed by the rearranged league fixture at home to Athlone Town next Sunday at 7pm.

Shamrock Rovers: Barry Murphy, David O’Connor, Jason McGuinness, Simon Madden, Conor Kenna, Shane Robinson, Gary McCabe (Sean O’Connor on 61), Ronan Finn, Ryan Brennan (Robert Bayly on 78), Dean Kelly (Ciaran Kilduff on 71), Eamon Zayed.

Dundalk: Peter Cherrie, Dane Massey, Brian Gartland, Sean Gannon, Andrew Boyle, Chris Shields, Darren Meenan (John Mountney on 89), Daryl Horgan (Donal McDermott on 58), Richie Towell, Pat Hoban, Kurtis Byrne (Ruaidhri Higgins on 83).

Former Dundalk FC star set to feature on this year’s X Factor

Jamie Duffy, who covered his scar from open-chest surgery with make-up for his X Factor appearance

A former Dundalk FC footballer is set to make a big impact on this year’s X Factor.

Jamie Duffy, who was a member of John Gill’s First Division winning side in 2008, reportedly melts the heart of Cheryl Cole in the new series after almost reducing her to tears with his story of how he had open-chest surgery to remove a tumour.

The 30-year-old, who was born in Texas, sailed through his initial studio audition in Edinburgh with all four judges giving him the thumbs up and he will now appear at the arena stage in London early next month.

Duffy sang ‘Say Something’ by A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera and ‘La La La’ by Naughty Boy.

The midfield player – who also had spells at Shamrock Rovers, Longford Town, Kilkenny City and Drogheda United – played 38 times for Dundalk in the 2008 season – more than any other player. He also grabbed eight goals that season, leaving him behind only Robbie Farrell in the scoring stakes and would have played alongside current Lilywhite Simon Kelly.

Now living in Tallaght, Duffy has tried to make a musical breakthrough before having been a member of boyband Boulevard.

In March of last year his world was turned upside down when he was told he would die within a year if he did not have open-chest surgery.

He told The Sunday World: ““I felt rough for a good while, I knew there was something wrong. I just couldn’t put my finger on it.

“For about six months, seven months, I wasn’t really feeling 100 per cent and at times really bad.

“The operation was very, very risky. They basically said you either have the operation or you die within a year, so I had to get the operation. What they found was a teratoma tumour.

“They did all the tests and I wasn’t cancerous afterwards,” he said. “I go back every six months, to make sure it doesn’t grow back.”

Dundalk FC announce capture of Donal McDermott

Donal McDermott

Dundalk FC have added Donal McDermott to their ranks.

The Ashbourne native joins Stephen Kenny’s side having been released by Bournemouth at the end of last season.

Aged 24, McDermott – who can play on either wing or up front – is a product of Cherry Orchard FC. He left Ireland to play with Manchester City in 2008 and was part of the club’s FA Youth Cup winning side that season, playing alongside the likes of Slovakian international Vladimir Weiss and Dedryk Boyata.

McDermott joins the Lilywhites as a free agent after a two spells playing for AFC Bournemouth, in which he made a total of 35 appearances for the club.  McDermott also played for Football League Championship side, Huddersfield Town, making 14 appearances and scoring 1 goal.

The 24 year old spent the previous six years playing his football in England. McDermott went on numerous loan moves whilst under contract at City, these clubs include MK Dons, Chesterfield, Scunthorpe United and AFC Bournemouth before moving on a free transfer to Huddersfield Town, and finally signing on a permanent deal with AFC Bournemouth, before making his move to Oriel Park.

He will be unavailable for selection for Thursday’s Europa League first qualifying round second leg tie against AS Jeunesse Esch but should come into contention for the clash with Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght on Sunday July 13th.

Man arrested in Dundalk to be charged in connection with fatal shooting

Gardaí in Dublin say they have charged a man in connection with a fatal shooting in Tallaght five years ago.

The 29-year-old man was arrested in Dundalk yesterday and will appear in court in Dublin this evening.

Seamus O’Byrne, 27, was shot dead in March 2009 a number of times by a lone gunman and died at the scene at Tymon North Park in Tallaght.

This is the third person to be charged in connection with this investigation.

Tallaght Stadium to host Setanta Cup final between Dundalk and Sligo Rovers

Tallaght Stadium

Tallaght Stadium has been confirmed as the venue for this year’s Setanta Sports Cup final on Saturday May 10^th.

Dundalk and Sligo Rovers will face off on the day, with both clubs hoping to win the competition for the first time in their respective histories.

Stephen Kenny’s side booked their place in the final with a 3-1 aggregate victory over Shamrock Rovers in the semi-final. Two Richie Towell penalties helped them to a 2-1 win in Tallaght before Chris Shields struck to secure a 1-0 win in the second leg on Tuesday.

Sligo, who have serious cup pedigree in recent years, booked their place in the final with an emphatic 7-1 aggregate victory over last year’s league winners St Patrick’s Athletic.

There had been speculation that the final could be played in The Showgrounds in Sligo or at a neutral venue such as Athlone or Longford but Tallaght will suit Dundalk as it means they have less of a journey.

Tallaght was also the venue when the club lost the 2011 decider 2-0 to Shamrock Rovers, although the Lilywhites were angered at that time that they had to play at a venue that was not neutral.

Kick-off for the final will be 4pm. For the final Dundalk FC have been allocated the East Stand. Tickets will be €15 for adults, €10 for OAPS, unwaged and students and €5 for U14s.

Shields goal ensures Dundalk’s path into Setanta Cup final

Dundalk FC last night booked themselves a place in next month’s Setanta Sports Cup final against Sligo Rovers with a 1-0 victory over Shamrock Rovers at Oriel Park last night.

Chris Shields’ goal two minutes into the second half proved the difference between the sides on the night, with the Lilywhites advancing to the final on Saturday May 10^th with a 3-1 aggregate lead having beaten Trevor Croly’s side 2-1 in Tallaght three weeks earlier.

Dundalk had the better of the chances throughout but did have to defend resolutely at times to keep the Hoops out.

The home side’s best opening of the first half came on the half hour mark when Andy Boyle headed a corner over. Five minutes before the break through, Peter Cherrie had to be at his best to keep a deflected shot from Ronan Finn out.

The breakthrough finally arrived two minutes after the restart when Shields met Ruaidhrí Higgins’ free at the back post to prod it home past Craig Hyland.

Both sides had their chances after that with John Mountney bringing a fine low save out of Hyland before Karl Sheppard blazed over from close range.

Rovers kept pressing until the end but never really troubled Cherrie as Stephen Kenny’s side held out to book the club only their second ever Setanta Cup final appearance.

The venue for the May 10^th final will be decided on Thursday while the fixture means that Dundalk’s scheduled league clash at home to neighbours Drogheda Utd on May 9^th will have to be arranged.

Dundalk: Cherrie; Gannon, Boyle, Rossiter, Massey; Shields, Higgins; Mountney, Towell (O’Donnell 88), Horgan (Meenan 77); McMillan (Hoban 70).

Shamrock Rovers: Hyland; Cornwall, Heaney (Kehoe 76), Kenna, Byrne; Finn (Kilduff 76), Robinson, Bayly, Waters (Brennan 69); Zayed, Sheppard.

Referee: Raymond Crangle.

Attendance: 1,976.

Dundalk launch student offer for Shamrock Rovers matches this week

Dundalk are running two superb offers for primary school kids and secondary students ahead of this week’s two matches against Shamrock Rovers.

Stephen Kenny’s side take on the Tallaght outfit in the second leg of the Setanta Sports Cup semi-final on Tuesday night at Oriel Park before hosting them again in the league on Friday.

For the semi-final tie, which Dundalk hold a 2-1 first leg advantage in, the club are offering free admission to all children under the age of 12 who are accompanied by an adult while those aged between 12-18 will get a discount entry of just €5.

The same offer will also apply for the league match on Good Friday.

Further details on www.dundalkfc.com