Middle East GAA
By Denis O'Brien
Middle East GAA has come up trumps once again as the current league campaign has been one of the most thrilling ever with nothing between teams as we come down to the wire with last round action set for March 11 in Dubai.
Began in 2010, the Middle East GAA League, has become one of the fastest growing world GAA competitions. From only a handful of teams at the beginning things have really taken off in recent years with 72 teams in action this season.
The Middle East league is played over a six month period from October to March, incorporating four rounds and is comprised of senior, intermediate and junior football competitions in mens and ladies football as well as hurling and camogie.
Such is the growth in player numbers – comprised of Irish, local and international players – that this season has seen the introduction of a junior men’s football grade as well as camogie.
****All competitions play a nine a-side format.
Senior Leagues
The defending mens' senior champions are Abu Dhabi na Fianna A, and after three rounds in this 8 team event, they are very much in the mix in second spot behind rivals Dubai A. The latter side sit top on 26 points, two ahead of Abu Dhabi with Qatar a further two points adrift. Home advantage could be crucial for Dubai.
In the Ladies Senior football League, Abu Dhabi Na Fianna, unbeaten holders for the past three years, opened with victory in Qatar beating the Dubai Celts, however, in the 2nd Round in November, the Dubai Celts caused an upset taking overall victory and in the process ended Abu Dhabi’s unbeaten run.
Round 3 saw Dubai and Abu Dhabi once again meet in the final that went to Extra Time with Abu Dhabi taking revenge. This potentially sets up a mouth-watering finale.
Intermediate and Junior Football
The finish of the mens intermediate league promises more excitement with Sharjah Gaels, another UAE side, on top having won two out of three rounds, but Dubai C two points back and one further adrift, Clann na hOman, might both have something to say yet.
In Ladies intermediate, the Dubai Celts team head the standings with three points in hand and the final round host is the team to beat.
It is a first for mens junior football, a section that features many locals and international players, with an impressive 12 teams taking part. In this three round competition, Sharjah Gaels B, lead the way with a win and a runners-up placing, while UAE’s Jumeriah Gaels are just one point behind.
The top two should advance to the final in Dubai. An incredible 16 teams have taken to the field in the Ladies junior league, and because of the huge numbers, it was decided to break it into 8 team Junior 1 & 2 competitions. Two new clubs both from the UAE have been the big story to date.
In Junior 1, new side Ruwais GAA, located in the middle of the desert and set up by Irish teachers, have impressed with two wins and look good for honours. In Junior 2, the other new club Ras Al Khaimah also with a 100 per cent record are the team to beat.
Hurling League
The Hurling League sees 8 teams in action and Dubai Halfway House won the opening rounds in Sharjah and Bahrain and were favourites for victory at Al Ain. However, defending champions Abu Dhabi Na Fianna A had different ideas and came out best. With only two points between Dubai Halfway House and Abu Dhabi Na Fianna this one could go either way.
Camogie League
It’s a first for Camogie in the Middle East with a brand new 5 team league. Sharjah Gaels/Al Ain combination side are tied at the top along with Abu Dhabi Na Fianna. It has been a good start for the sport in the region and it’s very much all to play for next month.
Middle East GAA chairperson, James Kennedy is delighted at how things have gone this year and feels it’s still very hard to pick outright winners in several codes. “This is one of the most exciting campaigns in the history of the Middle East League and it is creating a great buzz around the region.
“Any number of teams could be crowned League Champions in each of the competitions and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few play-off matches being played to determine this year’s winner.
“All in all it has been very competitive across all codes, a fact that won’t be lost on the GAA World Cup [August in Dublin/> selectors who will be watching with interest over the final round.”