November 2024 review

November was a bumper month of activity for Middle East GAA, with Round 2 of the Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce Middle East League encompassing six different events over four weekends, in Dubai, Bahrain, Sharjah and Al Ain. Over 1,500 players took part in games involving Hurling, Camogie, Men's Football, Ladies' Football, Handball, and Juvenile sections. A number of off-field events also took place, including Club Officer engagements via Chairperson and PRO webinars online, and also GAA Special Congress and World GAA workshops in Dublin.

Hurling and Camogie 
We began with Round 2 of the Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce Middle East League for Hurling and Camogie divisions.
This event took place on Saturday, November 2nd, hosted by local club Dubai Celts at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai, and saw an enthusiastic crowd gather in the afternoon sun for some great games. Senior Hurling saw Jumeirah Gaels become the second different winner of the season, leaving it all to play for in the remaining rounds, while Dubai Celts opened up a commanding lead in the Senior Camogie division with their second tournament win this season. Similarly, the Intermediate Hurling division promises a close contest over the remainder of the season, with Sharjah Gaels becoming the second winner in as many rounds. In Intermediate Camogie, Abu Dhabi na Fianna look well positioned to contend for title honours if they continue their tournament-winning form into the new year. Well done to our winners on the day, and to all participants for making the day a great success!

Senior Hurling Cup - Jumeirah Gaels
Senior Camogie Cup - Dubai Celts
Intermediate Hurling Cup - Sharjah Gaels 
Intermediate Camogie Cup - Abu Dhabi na Fianna 
Intermediate Hurling Plate - Abu Dhabi na Fianna 

Senior & Intermediate Football
Competitions continued for our Senior and Intermediate Football divisions on Saturday, 9th November, when Bahrain was the location for the Round 2 Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce Middle East League tournament hosted by Arabian Celts. This event often sees the largest number of international travellers in a single weekend each year, and this year was no different with close to 500 players making the journey to play. Following a number of evenly-matched games and tight finishes, our winners for Round 2 were decided. In Intermediate Men's Football, Kerry Middle East celebrated a notable achievement with their first tournament win in Intermediate ranks and will be looking to capitalise on their good form in the new year. In Intermediate Ladies, Dubai Celts went one better than Round 1 when they secured their first tournament win of the season, leaving them in a good position going into Round 3. Our Senior divisions finished the tournament off in style, with both games finishing level at the end of normal time, leading to tense finishes in front of a large attendance. In the Men's Division, a long-range golden score from Dubai Celts secured the tournament win and leaves a closely contested division for the remaining rounds. In the Ladies' division, a 1-point extra-time win from Jumeirah Gaels saw them secure a cup win for the first time this year, and ensures a close contest between a number of teams in the new year! Thank you to all those who travelled and congratulations to our winners!

Senior Men's Cup - Dubai Celts 
Senior Ladies' Cup - Jumeirah Gaels 
Senior Men's Plate - Sharjah Gaels 
Senior Ladies' Plate - Al Reem Shamrocks 
Intermediate Men's Cup - Kerry Middle East 
Intermediate Ladies' Cup - Dubai Celts 
Intermediate Men's Plate - Arabian Celts 
Intermediate Ladies' Plate - Arabian Celts 

Juvenile Games
Bahrain was the location for the second time in two weeks, when our juvenile stars of the future descended on Saturday, 16th November for a fantastic, fun-filled day of games, hosted once again by local club Arabian Celts. This event saw juvenile sections from Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh, and Bahrain come together for the first time this season, taking part in a number of games following the GAA Go-Games model for younger ages, with some competitive games included for older players. We were also delighted to welcome Sean McKiernan, Consul at the Irish Embassy in Saudi Arabia, who offered a consular pop-up service to the Irish community.
Our Middle East GAA Juvenile section continues to expand and formalise thanks to dedicated efforts of our officers, clubs, and their training sessions around the region, and continued regional events such as these are important in offering games-based activities for player development. We look forward to our next Juvenile event in Abu Dhabi in the new year.

Handball
While our juvenile members were taking to the field in Bahrain, Round 2 of the Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce Middle East Handball League was in full flow in Sharjah, hosted by Sharjah Gaels. 
This One-Wall event saw players come together from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, and ensured the continued development of this fantastic sport in the Middle East region. Thank to all those who took part and congratulations to our winners on the day. 
Senior Cup - David Walsh
Intermediate Cup - Akeel Wahid 
Doubles - Brian Guinane & Gearóid Ó Muireadhaigh 
Player of the Tournament - Síle Spain 

Junior A, B, C and D Football
Our final competitions of 2024 took place in Al Ain, with Round 2 of the Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce Middle East League Junior A, B, C, and D divisions hosted by Al Ain GAA, and split between Friday, November 22nd and Saturday, November 23rd.

On Friday, games began across 5 pitches in the early evening and continued into the night, with teams from all around the Gulf, including Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE, all competing in earnest.
In the Ladies Junior A division, Dubai Celts overcame stern opposition to win the tournament and leave a competitive run-in with a number of teams in the new year. In the Ladies Junior C and D divisions, Naomh Alee and Donegal Dubai consolidated their positions at the top of their respective divisions, with some good results in the new year likely to leave them good standing for promotion. 
In the Men's Junior B division, Jumeirah Gaels overcame the home team in front of a loud crowd to leave promotion within touching distance. In Men's Junior C, a tense battle between two Donegal Dubai teams saw the second different winner in as many rounds, and two teams poised to battle it out until the end of the season. In Men's Junior D, Clann na hOman continued their impressive run of form when they won their second consecutive tournament, ensuring morale remains high in Muscat. 

On Saturday morning, games resumed once again for teams located in the UAE, being the last tournament event of 2024. On the day, Abu Dhabi na Fianna consolidated their position at the top of the Men's Junior A division with their second tournament win in as many rounds, while Laochra Gael continued their impressive form in the Ladies Junior B division with their second tournament win also.

Thank you to all clubs who took part and to all members who travelled, and congratulations to our winners on the weekend.

Junior A Men's Cup - Abu Dhabi na Fianna 
Junior A Ladies' Cup - Dubai Celts 
Junior A Men's Plate - Sharjah Gaels 
Junior A Ladies' Plate - Kerry Middle East 
Junior B Men's Cup - Jumeirah Gaels 
Junior B Ladies' Cup - Laochra Gael 
Junior B Men's Plate - Abu Dhabi na Fianna 
Junior B Ladies' Plate - Abu Dhabi na Fianna 
Junior C Men's Cup - Donegal Dubai
Junior C Ladies' Cup - Naomh Alee 
Junior C Men's Plate - Laochra Gael 
Junior C Ladies' Plate - Kerry Middle East 
Junior D Men's Cup - Clann na hOman 
Junior D Ladies' Cup - Donegal Dubai
Junior D Ladies' Plate - Kerry Middle East 

Off-Field Activities 
November also saw a number of off-field activities take place, aimed at ensuring continued development and good governance at both County Board and club level.
On Monday, November 25th, our club PRO's came together and, on Tuesday, November 26th, our club Chairperson's did similar, for webinars facilitated by World GAA and GAA centrally, via Micky Quigg and Jack McCarney.

On Friday, November 29th, Middle East GAA was represented in Croke Park for engagements with World GAA covering discussions on a number of relevant issues including:
- Commercial considerations
- A recently published report regarding the Social and Economic impact of Gaelic Games in Irish life, valued at €2.87 billion
- Handball
- Governance
- Gaeilge
- 2026 GAA World Games 

The next day, on Saturday 30th November, Middle East GAA was represented in Croke Park at GAA Special Congress, where delegates voted to give their backing to rule enhancements devised by the Football Review Committee for Men's Gaelic Football at inter-county and club level in 2025, covering areas including:
- 1v1 at throw-in
- Kick-outs
- Goalkeeper possession
- 3/3 player positioning
- Advanced mark
- Scoring
- Delay fouling
- Solo & Go
- Black card
- Advantage
- Dissent
- The role of the captain 

This marked the end of an eventful month, with our clubs and members taking a break for the Christmas period before activities resume in January 2025. 

Looking ahead
We wish all of our members a happy, safe and joyful holiday period, and look forward to the resumption of our games in 2025. We offer a special thanks to the Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce for supporting Gaelic Games in the Middle East region. 

We look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming events in the new year! 

Hurling & Camogie - January 25th - Sharjah

Handball - January 25th - Sharjah

Senior & Intermediate Football - February 1st - Doha 

Junior A & B Football - February 8th - Dubai

Juvenile tournament - February 15th - Abu Dhabi