GAELIC SPORTS WORLD Issue 20 – February 22, 2015 | Page 19

Middle East Ladies. (Middle East GAA)

MIDDLE EAST as hosts have multiple teams involved
in the games. There are 6 Mid East teams competing at the
World Games – two men’s teams and two ladies in the World
Cup and two more in both the men’s and ladies International
Cup.
The Middle East GAA Board is the newest international
GAA unit and has 11 clubs across the Mid East region - Abu
Dhabi Na Fianna, Arabian Celts GAA, Al Ain GAA, Clann
na hOman, Dubai Celts, Kuwait Harps, Naomh Alee Riyadh, Oman GAA, Sharjah Ladies GAA, Sharjah Gaels and
Qatar GAA Oryx na hÉireann.
Middle East GAA caters to an Irish and international player
base comprising of 25 different nationalities who play in local tournaments that are very well attended. From those 11
clubs some 60 teams take part in region wide competition
specifically in the four rounds of the Middle East League and
Championship.

The selection process has been intensive for all the host
teams, especially in the men’s and ladies diaspora sides. For
the past month to six weeks training sessions have taking
place in conjunction with competition in the Middle East
league. Some 40 players were selected from all 11 clubs, and
then down to a final 24 in both the men’s and ladies World
Cup teams.
The Middle East men’s and ladies world cup teams should be
very strong with players from quality clubs like Abu Dhabi (recent league winners) Dubai, Qatar, Al Ain and the Arabian Celts.
There has been a lot of Irish immigration to the region, especially
in Abu Dhabi, in the past year and so these teams will be strong.
The hosts also are used to the climate, playing the 9 a-side format
and of course home advantage will be a huge help.
The men’s and ladies teams taking part in the International Cup
are all non-Irish and should garner local support as media outlets have been highlighting their involvement at the games.

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