GAELIC SPORTS WORLD Issue 37 – October 31, 2015 | Page 12

MIDDLE EAST
OCTOBER 30, 2015

THE SPERRIN METAL
MIDDLE EAST LEAGUE
JAMES KENNEDY
REPORTING
The new season is upon us
and the Sperrin Metal Middle East League kicked off
in Doha earlier this month
with Qatar GAA hosting
the first round of the Mens
and Ladies Senior football
League for the first time.
RUSTINESS
In the Mens Senior League
Qatar men’s team (maroon & black) in action when winning their home tournament to open this year’s
Opener on Oct 2nd there
Middle East League. Photo: Michael Barry.
was a lot of rustiness in the
opening matches as teams took time to get into a rhythm.
HOST’S TRIUMPH
Host Club Qatar GAA were quickest out of the blocks
with a good win over last year’s runner up the Dubai Celts
The Dubai Celts who had a slow start to the day were quickwhilst defending Champions Abu Dhabi Na Fianna were
est off the mark in the final and kept ahead of Qatar in the
held to a draw by the Arabian Celts. Al Ain, Dubai Celts
opening half going in 2 points up at the break. Qatar weren’t
B & Abu Dhabi B all won one and lost one in the opengoing to lie down in front of a home crowd and on the restart
ing Group games. At the business end of the tournament
quickly drew level. Both teams exchanged points before QaQatar GAA and the Dubai Celts A team having played the
tar got the crucial goal late in the 2nd half and went on to win
opening game of the day also played the last game with
the opening tournament of the season lifting the inaugural
both sides reaching the final with wins over the Arabian
Eamonn Morgan Cup in the process. Al Ain GAA enjoyed a
Celts and Abu Dhabi Na Fianna A in the semi finals.
good win over Abu Dhabi B in the Plate Final.

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