The first round of the Middle East GAA League kicks off on Friday at Dubai Sports City, with 1,300 players from across the Gulf expected to compete in mens’ and ladies football competitions.
The league, which began in 2010, is a nine-a-side format with Irish, international and local players involved with 80 teams from Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE.
The competition – which runs from October to April – is played over two halves of seven minutes with each team guaranteed three group games over the course of the day, and the top two teams qualifying from each group earning a place in the semi-final.
In the senior competition, all eyes will be on defending champions Abu Dhabi na Fianna, who won the league and championship in convincing fashion last season.
The men from the capital will be bolstered by the presence of Scott Oates, Danny Curran and Rob Brown – key men who have been integral to their success over the past number of seasons.
Jumeirah Gaels from Dubai are also expected to mount a challenge, with captain Keith Kelly, James Shaughnessy and Peter Acheson leading the ranks.
Dubai Celts, meanwhile, have excellent performers in Aindreas Doyle and Peter Hughes, and should pose a threat against both rivals.
More excitement is expected in the intermediate division where a strong Jumeirah Gaels B side will be among the favourites this campaign after securing promotion from the Junior A section in March.
Elsewhere, in the junior division, an impressive Al Reem Shamrocks and Ras Al Khaimah will be hoping to vie for a promotion spot at season’s end.
The senior ladies competition promises to be one of the highlights of the weekend with Abu Dhabi na Fianna and Dubai Celts continuing to set the bar for Gaelic games in the region.
Abu Dhabi, led by the immense Nicola Fahy, Christine McDonnell and Niamh Carroll, to name a few, have won the league for the past six years and play Gaelic football at a pace and level that is frightening.
Action gets under way from 8:00 on Friday, with the finals set to take place from 15:00.