Gulf Gaelic Games kick-off on Friday

Dubai: Six hundred players and 50 teams will take part in the Seventh Dubai Duty Free Gulf Gaelic Games at The Sevens Stadium on Friday.

Over 100 matches of men’s and women’s Gaelic football, men’s hurling and the ladies’ equivalent of camogie will be played across veteran, junior and senior divisions, over five pitches from 9am to 7pm.

Gaelic football is a 15-aside cross between rugby and soccer played with a round ball over two 30 minute halves. One point is awarded for putting the ball over the bar of a ‘H’ shaped rugby goal and three points are awarded for a shot under the bar and into a football styled net.

Players can kick or hand pass to one another but on a run they are not allowed to take more than four steps before either bouncing or kicking the ball back into their hands.

Hurling or camogie is a hockey-style equivalent played with all the above variables, except players use a stick to pass, shoot and dribble by bouncing it off the stick and catching it.

They can kick the ball, but they cannot pick it off the ground, throw it, travel five steps, catch it three times without it touching the ground, or pass it from hand to hand.

Teams from as far as Ireland, South Africa and India will be drawn alongside clubs from all over the GCC region, and six referees will also be flown in from Ireland along with special guests; Helen O’Rourke, the CEO of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association and Aidan Grimes, the youth development officer of the European Gaelic Athletic Association Board.

“This tournament is very important to the Irish community living in this region as well as our overseas guests who are all welcome to attend what has become a highly entertaining and action packed weekend,” said Dubai Celts president Sean Staunton.

Dubai Celts chairman Paddy Darcy added: “The Gulf Gaelic Games is the premier GAA event in the calendar in the Middle East, and the addition of travelling teams always gives an added dimension. We are sure that every team will thoroughly enjoy the spectacle of the event and all that Dubai has to offer.”

Entrance is free with pitch-side entertainment for all ages. Further details are available on the club’s website – www.dubaicelts.com.