Thirteen players from across the UAE will represent the Middle East for the GAA World Games, taking place in Ireland later this summer.

The Middle East team was confirmed on the back of a series of trial matches held in Abu Dhabi earlier this month, with manager James O’Connell selecting a strong squad for the third-ever staging of the competition.

League winners Abu Dhabi na Fianna provide six members to the squad, with Ronan McGinty and Ciaran McGinley among the players who impressed over the course of the domestic season.

Jumeirah Gaels, beaten by a point against Abu Dhabi in the league decider in February, have four representatives on the team.

Galway natives Keith Kelly and James Shaughnessy add composure, workrate and skill to the side, who will face the tough task of challenging teams like New York, Canada, Australia and Europe.

Over 97 teams totalling 1,300 players are expected to travel to Ireland’s South-East for the initial stages of the GAA World Games from July 28 to August 1, with the finals taking place on August 2 at the 82,300 seater capacity Croke Park stadium in Dublin.

MIDDLE EAST GAA TEAM

Keith Kelly, Ronan O’Brien, James Shaughnessy, Paraic McEnery (Jumeirah Gaels), Ronan McGinty, Eoin McEnery, John Warburton, Ciaran McGinley, Kieran Breslin, Cian Tobin (Abu Dhabi na Fianna), Stephen Keane, Shane Horgan (Dublin Celts), Kieran Sheridan (Al Reem Shamrocks).