The competition, which began in 2010, is a nine-a-side format with Irish, international and local players involved with teams from across the Gulf.

It’s been a record year for gaelic games in the region with 72 teams competing across senior, intermediate and junior grades in both gaelic and hurling.

In the senior division, Dubai A are in control on 26 points, two points ahead of defending champions Abu Dhabi na Fianna A with Qatar a further two points adrift in third.

Dubai A will be bolstered by the presence of Aindreas Doyle, Eoin Reilly, Niall Healy and Tom King – key men who have been integral to the Celts’ success this season.

Abu Dhabi na Fianna, meanwhile, have excellent performers in Danny Curran and Rob Browne and should pose a threat against their rivals.

More excitement is expected in the intermediate division where Sharjah Gaels lead by two points ahead of Dubai C and Clann na hOman from Muscat.

Sharjah triumphed in two out of the three rounds, and opposition defences will need to be extra vigilant in order to marshal star men Neily Cunningham, Liam Harrington and Eoin Cantwell.

Elsewhere, in the junior section an impressive twelve teams lined out in the two rounds to date.

It’s a three round competition with Dubai’s Jumeirah Gaels claiming victory in Bahrain, and Sharjah Gaels B winning round two in Al Ain in January.

Sharjah, led by the immense Alan Naughton, top the section with Jumeirah Gaels just one point behind. Both teams are expected to make Friday’s decider with one team gaining promotion to next season’s intermediate division.

Meanwhile, in the ladies senior category, Abu Dhabi na Fianna – unbeaten in three years up until November – should contest the final against Dubai Celts.

In the intermediate section, Dubai Celts B are the team to beat.