Tyrone Constitution, News for Tyrone and Ireland

The Denny Irish Junior Surf Team to compete at the 2009 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship is scheduled to depart Dublin airport on Wednesday 25th March. The team will be travelling to Salinas, Ecuador to join over forty surfing nations form around the World for this prestigious surfing event.

A team of twelve will represent Ireland at the event. Seasoned international competitor, Aaron Reid will fly the flag for Ireland in the U18 Boys division along with new caps, Rory Tuohy and Cillian Ryan.

The U18 Girls division will include the Irish U18 Girls Champion, Tahlia Britton along with Amy May Garvey and new cap Sarah Mc Gowan.

Iarom Madden Travers and James Garvey will lead the charge in the U16 Boys accompanied by two new caps, Conor Maguire and Cian Logue.

The team will be led by Manager, Zoë Lally and coached by Pascal Devine.

The Denny Irish Junior Surf Team will have a number of days training prior to the contest to adjust to conditions. The team will have to acclimatise to air temperatures of 35C and water temperatures of 28C. The event will kick off on Saturday 28th of March with the opening ceremony and parade of nations. Heats will commence on Sunday 29th March running all week with the grand finals on Sunday 5th April. With such exceptional talent the Irish Surfing Association expects these young athletes to do Ireland proud at the World Junior Surfing Championships.

Denny Irish Junior Surf Team 2009

U18 Boys

Aaron Reid, Sligo

Rory Tuohy, Castlebar, Co Mayo

Cillian Ryan, Fethard on Sea, Wexford

U18 Girls

Tahlia Britton, Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal

Amy May Garvey, Castlederg, Co Tyrone

Sarah Mc Gowan, Strandhill, Co Sligo

U16 Boys

Iarom Madden Travers, Bundoran, Co Donegal

Conor Maguire, Bundoran, Co Donegal

James Garvey, Castlederg, Co Tyrone

Cian Logue, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal

Manager

Zoë Lally, Easkey, Co Sligo

Coach

Pascal Devine, Newtownstewart, Co Tyrone

RSPB CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE COMMITMENT TO ONSHORE WIND

BWEA, the UK’s leading renewable energy association, welcomed today RSPB’s “Positive Planning for Onshore Wind” report, which sets out how to significantly expand UK’s onshore wind capacity. Evidence shows that it is possible to develop onshore wind farms, without damage to wildlife.

Maria McCaffery, Chief Executive of BWEA says: “Research on wind farms has consistently shown that wind turbines have a minimal impact on wildlife. On the other hand, it is now beyond doubt that climate change could have a devastating impact on bird habitats, if we don’t act soon. RSPB’s call for a step change in onshore wind deployment is timely and well judged.”

The report recognises that as a part of a wider mix of renewables, a significant increase in onshore wind capacity, meaning a greater number of turbines, will have to be deployed in order for the UK to meet its objectives under the EU 2020 targets on renewable energy.

The report emphasises that the Government must ensure the national and local planning process is well resourced, in order to handle an increase in the number and scale of renewable energy projects. BWEA also pointed out that the issue of spatial planning raised in the report must not be used as an excuse to tangle wind farm applications in red tape.

“BWEA feel it is important that the RSPB report is followed with action on the ground. Government now needs to provide better resourcing for local authorities to deal with wind farm planning applications,” concluded McCaffery.