The People of Parnell Park – Dublin GAA to Celebrate the Unsung Heroes of Match Days

Dublin GAA is delighted to launch a new mini-series which will celebrate the unsung heroes of our match days. Over the coming weeks, Dublin GAA supporters and clubs will have the chance to see and appreciate the work that goes on behind the scenes in a new mini-series, called The People of Parnell Park. 

Produced with the support of PTSB, who sponsor the PTSB Dublin leagues and championships across all four codes, the mini-series will celebrate some of the volunteers that make a match day at the Donnycarney venue so special with the first episode featuring lifelong GAA volunteer Nora Leonard.

For more than 20 years, Nora has been the face of the match day programme sellers, but as well as putting vital information into the hands of Dubs and club supporters, she also fundraises for the St Francis Hospice, a charity very close to the hearts of Dublin fans all over the county and beyond. In that time close to €400,000 has been raised.

Speaking as part of the mini-series and with her hands clutching her blue bucket, Nora said, “I love Parnell Park and the people in Parnell Park are like family.”

A new episode will feature over the next five weeks and can be seen across Dublin GAA socials and on Dubs TV.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Marcus Ó Buachalla, Chief Commercial Officer with Dublin GAA said, “The People of Parnell Park lifts the lid ever so slightly on the work that goes on here every day and by some very special people. We all know them. We all see them. But maybe now people will be able to put a name to a few of the faces and to realise the very real impact that they have on their match day experience.

“Special credit to the team in Roamer who shot the pieces, and to Fionn McLoughlin here in Dublin GAA for bringing his idea to life, and of course to PTSB, who have invigorated the coverage of our club game with their energy and enthusiasm for Gaelic games in the capital. I hope people enjoy the episodes and that they might even throw a few extra Euro Nora’s way the next time they see her and her blue bucket!”

Stephen Jackson, Head of Customer and Marketing at PTSB, said, “Our first season as sponsor of the PTSB Dublin Club Leagues and Championships has highlighted the incredible volunteer effort that underpins Gaelic games across Dublin. While matches take place in communities throughout the county, Parnell Park remains at the heart of the Dublin club game, thanks to the dedicated people who give their time and energy week after week. 

“We are especially pleased to begin this series with Nora Leonard and to shine a light on her longstanding support of St Francis Hospice in Raheny and Blanchardstown, one of PTSB’s Community Partners. It’s heartening to see that over the years, facilitated by Nora and her team, very significant sums of monies have been donated by supporters attending games here.

“Nora’s commitment, and that of her fellow volunteers, is a wonderful example of the community spirit that makes Dublin GAA so special. We’re delighted to see her story featured in the first episode of this series.”

The first episode of The People of Parnell Park goes live today at 11am, with a further four episodes to follow.