Dublin Hammers - Christmas Party 2015
The Christmas Party - 5th December 2015
It’s early December and time for the annual Dublin Hammers Christmas Party. I was expecting my in-laws from Cork, so had asked Liam to reserve a table for eight of us – in the true spirit of generosity that is Liam McDonagh he did keep a table for me – mind you he never shut up about it all night!
Anyway, Liam took to the floor with the working microphone (most of us prefer him with the other one!) and welcomed us all to the night’s proceedings. He paid tribute to all those who had helped to prepare the room for the night, in particular Tommy Noctor who ironed the bunting for the occasion – baggsie sharing the room with Tommy on the next trip, imagine how well I’ll look in a freshly ironed shirt heading out on the town!
Anyway, the night started with the most anticipated draw of the Christmas period – the Free Trip Draw. We were all ready to go until a shout went up “Hold on!! Michael’s ticket hasn’t been put in”. Michael “The Real Pilot” Downey had arrived, slightly later than anticipated, resplendent in a Christmas suit with matching tie and DH badge. His ticket was dropped into the bag, the bag was shaken again and up stepped Paul the Barman to pick the winning ticket and it was... Michael Downey! The last ticket to go in. We all cheered at his good fortune and wished him well.
Liam then turned his attention to the annual raffle. Tickets had been sold with gusto by one of the Eddie Cox’s, Brian Madden, Emma McDonagh and since nobody else would do it, Gerry Nolan. Liam described the prizes as generally cheap... some wine, some smelly stuff, a DH polo that would fit the LARGER sized gent, the umbrella, a WHU sign, two Paddy Power gift cards and a few drawings by the one and only Josh Holland – one of these was the legendry Clyde Best!
Liam hurried us all along so much... choose a prize, pick the next ticket and get lost... under that kind of pressure I somehow managed to pick the prize I had actually brought in by mistake! Just about everyone who was there won something, with the last prize of the umbrella (very kindly donated by our President) picked up by Tom Jones – which wasn’t unusual!!!
The food arrived and was given short shift as we wolfed it down and then the karaoke started. The usual singers took to the stage and performed their annual classics while we danced and sang along. It is always said to me by those attending how lucky we are to have such good singers in the club and I have to agree that generally the standard is very high. While we had our Karaoke on the go we were visited by the “Masked Hammers” as Big Fat Sam, Harry Redknapp, Alan Pardew, Karen Brady and Paolo Di Canio all made an entrance. There was talk of a sixth Masked Hammer in Andy Carroll but someone forgot the crutches!!
By the time the disco started the floor was already heaving as we threw shapes to some ska, rock & roll and disco classics – we were all so immersed in the music that when Lionel Richie broke into “Dancing on the Ceiling” I wouldn’t have been surprised to see someone try it! When the bar closed and the music came to an end we all joined in for a rousing rendition of “Bubbles” that I would say was heard all over O’Connell Street. This was followed by a general sing song of Upton Park anthems including our ode to Chelski and Big Fat Frank.
There was only time left for the annual Presidential address and yet again Fran Ryan did not disappoint as he spoke of the new positive feelings in the Club under our new manager. His poem showed how he had changed from his general air of gloom under the previous regime to one of hope with Slavin Bilic at the helm. The President spoke of how next year, 2016 sees us celebrate 25 years of the Dublin Hammers (and the same number on the beer!) and reckons it might be time for a subcommittee to ensure we celebrate it in style.
It was time so say our goodbyes and head off into the night content in the knowledge that we had been part of yet another classic Dublin Hammers Christmas Party... roll on December 2016!!!!
My congratulations to all those involved in organising the party, all those involved in decorating the room, those who arranged the Santa hats, Reindeer antlers, Elf hats, Masks and Christmas glasses for the tables. The DJ and excellent karaoke singers and anyone I’ve forgotten... sorry. And finally, thanks to the staff in Brannigans (especially Winnie for the grub) – we hope you enjoyed this party as much as we always do!
Special thanks to Gerry Murtagh for the report and photos, also Liam and Brian for additional photos.
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