By David Prendeville
Last Saturday saw local GAA and Ronnie Drew fans come out in force to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Ronnie Drew Crane, organised by Dublin Stevedores. The Ronnie Drew mural which adorns the eponymous crane was painted by local artist David Joyce. Representatives from Siptu were also present at the event.
There was a jovial atmosphere at on the South Bank Key behind Hammond Lane scrap yard, as the band Rising Sons belted out Ronnie Drew numbers in the sunshine while people posed with the Sam Maguire in anticipation of next Sunday’s All Ireland Final. Dublin will take on Kerry in a bid to win their fifth All Ireland title in a row.
I caught up with Dean Ó Gamhna, the organiser of the event who beamed with pride at how successful it had proven. He wanted to extend his thanks to two others who played a big part and helped put it together at short notice: “I approached John Nolan a few weeks ago and asked him if he could put something together, to come along and help out. I have to say a big thank you to John Nolan and Jennifer Nolan for help financing it.”
Dean and company couldn’t have had a nicer day to hold the event, which was reflected in the fun-filled atmosphere that engulfed the port. There were the blue Dublin colours everywhere and smiling faces. Dean Ó Gamhna concluded our conversation by telling me, with a defiant smile, that he is “absolutely confident” that Dublin will lift Sam M for a record-breaking 5th time in a row this Sunday.