James Kennedy believes the Gaelic Athletic Association World Games will only go from strength to strength after the staging of the inaugural event in Abu Dhabi this weekend.

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– Abu Dhabi hosts inaugural Gaelic Athletic Association World Games

The chairman of the Middle East GAA board hailed the tournament as “absolutely fantastic” as 28 teams from five continents descended on the UAE yesterday.

“It’s the first ever GAA World Games so we’re making history,” said Kennedy.

“We’ve got South Africans bringing a lot of colour to the event, as well as the Galicians and Argentina. It’s absolutely fantastic,” he added.

The Middle East are on course for silverware in both the men’s and women’s GAA World Games finals today after a fantastic opening day.

Middle East 2 take on Australasia in the first semi-final of the ladies’ GAA World Games competition while Middle East 1 face Asia 1 in the other.

In the last four of the main men’s competition, Middle East have again been kept apart with the 2nds facing Asia and the 1sts taking on New York.

Canada, meanwhile, could have two teams in the men’s GAA World Games Plate final as their 1sts and 2nds have been kept apart as well.

Canada 1sts face North America in a very tasty semi-final encounter while the 2nds face Europe.

In the ladies’ Plate semi-finals, New York face Asia 2 and North America take on Europe.

In the men’s International World Cup, made up of largely native players, Argentina will play Middle East in the GAA World Shield semi-final while Galicia play South Africa.

Canada will take on South Africa in the women’s GAA World Shield semi-finals and Middle East will take on Galicia.

In the Middle Eastern GAA Championship for Gulf teams that ran alongside the main tournament, there was double joy for Sharjah and Dubai yesterday.

Dubai Celts won the Men’s Middle East League Cup by defeating Abu Dhabi Na Fianna 14-5 in the final while the women’s side won the Ladies’ camogie title. 

Sharjah Gaels won the Men’s Social Plate and Sharjah were winners of the Ladies’ Social Cup.

Abu Dhabi Na Fianna claimed the Men’s Cup while the Ladies’ Social Cup was won by Asia.