Dublin Hammers Trip - Preston North End - Play-Off Final 2005

Preston North End 0 vs West Ham 1.

19 official Dublin Hammers and about 30 others joined us on the early flight to Cardiff. Eddie Cox was touting for business and must have given the Dublin Hammers card to everyone bar the pilot. Eddie was also nominated as club comedian with the worst jokes ever. Arrived into Cardiff for 11:00 am where the atmosphere was already building. A few beers in the Red Room and The Walkabout and off to the game.

Well what a day... Bobby Z gets the winner and we make up for the debacle against Crystal Palace last year. I have never witnessed such relief at the final whistle, grown men crying, strangers hugging and kissing each other and the singing continued for a long time after the final whistle. Back to the red rooms where all the Dublin Hammers congregated... what a rendition of DUBLIN HAMMERS ARE HAVING A PARTY... fancy hats, wigs flags and banners it was party time. We then headed for the bus and back to Cardiff Airport... The photos of this should be something special.

Flight Delayed and time for the Gerry O Keefe magic and comedy show. Don't ever play cards with this guy. We recruited up to 5 new members through the delay as closet fans were intrigued by the way The Dublin Hammers conducted themselves. So it's back to the Prem and all those mouth-watering ties with Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea and the Manchester Red Sox.

Let's hope we never experience the two years of torture which our club has been put through again. It's only when you experience success with the West Ham faithful you understand what this means to them. A magnificent club with magnificent support. Roll on August... We're Back!

Many thanks to Brian O'Flaherty for sending in this report. <back to top of page>