Oisín's are entering a team into this years Dubai 9's gaelic football competition. Read the article below to find out a bit more about this great tournament.

The article has been copied from gaa.ie

The Dubai Celts GAA Club, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free, will play host for the sixth consecutive year to the “Dubai Duty Free Gulf Gaelic Games” Gaelic Football and Hurling Sevens Tournament at the state of the art Emirates 7s Sports complex on Friday, March 23. Close to 100 GAA games will take place in one day across five pitches.

Despite current economic challenges this year’s tournament has succeeded in attracting numerous teams from our own native Ireland, Singapore, India, the UK, South Africa as well as all of the Middle East teams – four clubs in the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia to name a few. Up to 600 players will participate in the one day tournament, which is sponsored by Dubai Duty Free at the Emirates Sevens sportsgrounds.

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Criostóir Ó Cuana wished the tournament organisers every success.
He said: “Our games continue to go from strength to strength amongst our overseas units and competitions such as this are further evidence of this.
“Our games provide Irish people with a fantastic outlet and network and I hope the efforts of those involved in its organisation are rewarded with a tourament that helps the further growth and popularity of our games.”

Patrick Darcy, Chairman of Dubai Celts added: “Last year’s tournament was a huge success, and we expect 2012 to be bigger and better again with over 50 teams participating. 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 Gulf Gaelic Games, and enjoy all that Dubai has to offer. ”
The tournament this year will see intense rivalry between established clubs from Ireland against the growing strength of the Middle East clubs including Dubai Celts. Neutral experienced referees will be flown in from Ireland especially for the tournament. Ladies and gents are catered for in equal measure as both actively participate in Gaelic Football, Hurling and Camogie.

This year’s hurling tournament will feature the inaugural Dubai Duty Free Hurling Tournament with six teams competing for honours.
The juveniles of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain will also be competing with all teams working hard to promote the GAA in the Gulf region. There will also be exhibition games between two of the local schools where tireless work from Irish teachers have brought the National Games to pupils of varying backgrounds. This year also sees the fourth veterans’ competition for the over 35s who are getting on in years but are still young at heart.

The Dubai Celts was founded in Dubai in 1995 by a group of enthusiastic Irish players who wanted to bring a bit of home to their adopted land and from then the club has grown from strength to strength.

“The Gulf Gaelic Games last year were a huge success and we expect this year’s one to be bigger and better again. Not only is it a great opportunity for the Irish in the community to come together and get a feel for home, but it is also an opportunity to showcase their unique games to the people of Dubai,” comments Colm McLoughlin, President of Dubai Celts and Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free.

“It helps to bring together cultures, with some of the players from the Gulf , Asian and African teams coming from different corners of the world. It also allows the visiting Irish teams to experience the warm Arabian hospitality and heritage,” he added.

To coincide with the GAA Games, there will be Irish Music and live entertainment by The Paddyman at the Sevens Pavilion following the conclusion of the finals, which will ensure plenty of entertainment for all the family. There will also be an exhibition of Irish Dancing from the Siobhán Kilalea School of Dance on the day.
Face painting, a bouncy castle and much more will be available for family fun. Admission to the one day event is free.

Further details are available on the club’s website – www.dubaicelts.com. You can also contact the Tournament Director Caroline Hayes or the Club Chairman Patrick Darcy on dubaiceltsgaa@gmail.com.