Dublin Hammers - Christmas Party 2014

The Christmas Party - 13th December 2014

While I was walking into Brannigans on Saturday night a friend of mine remarked that she couldn’t believe it was a year ago that we were at the Dublin Hammers Christmas party – the year has flown!!

The room was fairly full when we got upstairs and the music was rocking. All the usual suspects were there along with their better halves and assorted family and friends. Donegal John was there as usual and Alistair from Cork dropped in to say hello. The biggest cheer of the night went up as the legend that is Josh Holland and Amara arrived. It was hugs all around for both of them, whom we haven’t seen since last May.

Liamo opened proceeding by welcoming one and all to the party and started off with the raffle – there was a large array of prizes on offer from pictures, drink, photo frames, drink, betting voucher, more drink, the umbrella and a bottle of scotch in a West Ham glass boot! I was delighted to win a drawing of the great Booby Moore (much to the surprise of my wife – “where are you hanging that!!”). Liamo’s patience was tested throughout the draw as he hurried people along so we could make the very important and much anticipated free trip draw and get the grub in.

The free trip was won by Treasurer, Jim Conway who couldn’t hide his delight at his good fortune. The food was served up and we all wolfed it down in double quick time so we could get singing and strut our stuff on the dance floor.

The karaoke started with Liamo singing “Billy Don’t be a Hero”. “One Song” Marie, the President’s wife, surprised us all by having a second song, the President sang “Human” and a fantastic version of Coldplay’s “When I ruled the World”, Eddie Cox and son, Daryl showed they had been busy practicing their duet and dance moves for the last twelve months, Brian Madden and Brian O’Flaherty both proved their worth as crooners, Tommy Noctor was Garth Brooks, Craig McDonagh showed sheer class with “Angel” while Dessie, Tommy 4, David McDonagh and others serenaded us all with their songs.

A special mention was given to Alan Corr, the man that reduced the average age of the Dublin Hammers by twenty years when he joined us. “Ambassador” Alan departs for new horizons, of which there will be many as he starts work on the cruise ships, in the new year. Even though we will miss him we know he’ll keep in touch with us on his journeys.

The dancing started in earnest with a selection of ska favourites and then continued with an array of classics that had everyone on the floor for the entire night. The DJ wrapped up the night with a great rendition of Bubbles as we all sang our anthem.

Finally it was time for our Presidential address. In keeping with recent tradition our President had another poem for us this year. He spoke of the more positive football that the team are playing and how it was having a direct impact on the good humour of the members of the club on match days etc. We reproduce by kind permission the poem:

This time last year I was just back on the beer
My mind was full of unhopefullness and fear

The Dublin Hammers were all over the shop
Some of us wanted the manager to get the chop

Then the summer came and the Davids’ intervened
And what came next we never would have dreamed

Valencia and Sakho signed, but were they ready?
They were after a week or two working with our Teddy

Arsene Wenger watches his Gooners as they plod along
What he wouldn’t give to have Alex Song

Before today’s game we were in the top four
I can’t remember when this happened before!

Now we walk down the stairs with our heads held high
But still Treasurer, Jimmy Conway refuses to buy

Does the Manager now tell his team “just go and play”?
Has he finally bent his knee to the West Ham way?

to be continued...

We finished the night with a rousing sing song of old and familiar classic West Ham songs and all went off into the night in happy spirits having enjoyed yet another classic Dublin Hammers Christmas party!

Special thanks to Gerry Murtagh for the report and photos, also Liam and Eddie for additional photos.

back to the top