GAELIC SPORTS WORLD Issue 21 – March 14, 2015 | Page 2

FOREWORD FROM THE EDITOR GAELIC SPORTS WORLD PUBLISHER: Two days in March 2015 could well turn out to be the most important in the 131 year life of the Gaelic Athletic Association as this Irish organization finally turned its gaze outwards beyond the green horizon. You see the GAA’s first real attempt at a World Cup took place last weekend March 6-7th in Abu Dhabi in the UAE, and yes, notably taking place outside of Ireland. The GAA World Games initiative was led by the Middle East GAA. The event was their vision, a vision that looked outwards instead of just, inward. Middle East GAA is a brave new international unit of the GAA. For years it partnered with Asia GAA, played in Asia’s major Asian Gaelic Games tournament before it recently struck out on its own as an independent GAA international ‘county’ board. The Middle East GAA like Asia has a multitude of different nationalities now involved in Gaelic sports and recognizing that diversity and at the same time observing the increase of non-Irish players around the globe they felt that the time was ripe to actually do something about it and start a global competition. So, last weekend 24 teams from around the world descended on the Middle East to play Gaelic Football to decide world champions in ladies and men’s competitions. In this issue 21 of Gaelic Sports World we bring you a full report on these historic first GAA World Games that left a positive impression on attendees, on players, and whose legacy could be as a small stone in water creating ever bigger waves in an ever expanding environment. Denis O’Brien EDITOR: Denis O’Brien ART DIRECTION: Tall Irishman tmi CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Catherine Fleming, Rory O’Donnell, Tommy Moran, Cyril Iordanidis, Ronan Deane, Eamon Gormley, Jamie Fitzsimons, Joe Trolan, Brian Clerkin, John Simcoe. CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Rory O’Donnell, Marie Walsh, Jerry Hess, Peter Marney Legal info. Gaelic Sports World does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the quality, accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information, product or service represented within our magazine or associated websites and other delivery platforms. The information provided is for educational or entertainment purposes only. Disclaimer Notice: The opinion expressed in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Gaelic Sports World Magazine. Therefore, Gaelic Sport World carries no responsibility for the opinion expressed thereon. Gaelic Sport World accepts no responsibility for the consequences of error or for any loss or damage suffered by users of any of the information and material contained in this Digital Magazine, associated website or any other delivery platform you may access through this site. Gaelic Sports World Magazine is not responsible for the content or availability of any external or 3rd party sites and does not warrant or guarantee the products, services, or information found on these sites. Copyright Notice: No part of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher. The information in this Digital Magazine is for information purposes only. Materials contained in this magazine are subject to copyright and other proprietary rights. Copyright ©2014 Gaelic Sports World. All rights reserved. COVER: Editor, Denis O’Brien 2 CONTACT: Middle East GAA/Tina & Stew Hunt [email protected]