Hi all,

Firstly, a big welcome goes out to all new arrivals to Abu Dhabi – here’s hoping the year ahead is an enjoyable and worthwhile experience for you all. From what I’ve seen of you all so far though I don’t think that is going to be an issue – you all look like you’re having a blast and that’s the way to do it!

I would like to take this opportunity to invite you all to become part of our GAA Club for the coming year as it is a fantastic way of socializing and getting to know new faces and making new friends. And please don’t be put off by the fact that you may not have played the game before – whether you play at an advanced, intermediate or beginner level we want you down and getting involved in everything that we do and organize throughout the year. The football is one face of our club (and for those of you chomping at the bit for a game there will be plenty of training sessions and matches) but there is also the social side – the nights out, the organized events, trips, balls, etc.).

Secondly, a big welcome back to old friends – hope you all had a great summer and looking forward to catching up with everyone in the days and weeks ahead.
You already know what the club is about so looking forward to your continued support again this year!

So just to let you know about some upcoming events:

1. Training starts back on Wednesday, September 3rd from 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Training this year will take place on the pitches of the American School on 29th street (as you head out Airport Rd). Since this is our first session and some (if not a lot) of you may not know how to get there I would ask that we all meet (both guys and girls) outside Choueifat School at 7:15 pm, Wednesday, September 3rd. (Choueifat School is on the corner of Airport Rd. and 15th St.). Anyone who has a car please bring it along as we will try to transport everyone out to the pitch and save people getting into taxis and getting lost.

 Then from Sunday, September 7th our training schedule will be as follows:

• Ladies Training: 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
• Men’s Training: 9:00 pm – 10:00 pm

This year we are training 2 nights per week – Sunday and Wednesday nights.

1.  A combined Irish Society/GAA welcome back party will take place on Thursday, September 4th in the Crowne Plaza, Hamdan Street. This is our annual welcome back shin dig and gives everyone the opportunity to chat and get to know one another in a more relaxed, informal setting.  Exact details of this event will follow shortly. You can also keep up to date with what’s happening by logging onto our website – http://www.irishsocietyabudhabi.com

Finally, our first football outing this year will be on Friday, September 19th in Dubai. The Dubai Celts are organizing a mini 9 a side tournament with teams from the other Gulf countries participating. It should be a good day out and will give all newcomers the chance to see how games are run and organized on this side of the globe. Full details of this event to follow shortly.

That’s everything for now. Looking forward to seeing everyone down training on the 3rd and at the welcome back the following night.

Cheers,

Declan.

Chairman, Abu Dhabi Na Fianna.
Mob: 050 3236804.

Hi all and welcome back! Hope you enjoyed your summer break, if you were away.

Two items of news:

Irish Village Dubai: Beer Fest

There is a Beer Fest this Friday in Dubai in the Irish Village. A bus is being organised from Abu Dhabi to the event depending on the level of interest amongst you all. The bus plans to leave Abu Dhabi at 11:00 am (pick up locations will be forwarded in the next day or two), stay in the Irish Village for the whole day, and then leave Dubai at 10:30 pm (roughly) that same night to return to Abu Dhabi.

The cost of the bus should work out at roughly Dhs 50 pp. (again depending on interest).

If you are interested in coming along or would like more details please contact Johnny O’ Neill on 050 7525758. He will need to know by Wednesday 20th, (tomorrow morning) so as to give him ample time to book the bus

Hope to see you all there.

Back to School Party at Heroes

Next week, Heroes in the Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi are having a Back to School Party on August 28th. Sharpen your pencils!

Watch this space for details of more athletic pursuits as people return for the new season.

Declan B.

.

Abu Dhabi Na Fianna would like to express their deepest sympathy to former chairman and club stalwart John Rea and his family on the recent sudden death of his brother Billy. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
.

The two newest members of Abu Dhabi Na Fianna and the Irish Society arrived last week: twins Liam and Isobel, courtesy of proud parents Neiti and Simon. Congratulations all round!

Just a final reminder of the Ball on Thursday in the Crowne Plaza beginning at 7:30. The cost is 250 Dhs with a free bar and Five course meal. Dress code is smart (shirt and tie lads) and this is an opportunity for people to say cheerio to some of the gang who are leaving us this year. It is also a celebration of the year within the club and as a result Mike Boyce has asked me to forward this message.

If anyone has pictures from this year, the Paddy’s Ball, Oman, Bahrain, and games, could you please forward to me.  pillsburydoughboyce@hotmail.com.  Please make sure they say from what event, and are of good quality.

Cheers,
Canadian Mike

Thursday night saw the single lads retain the Tadhg Flahive Trophy at the American School Pitches. It was a great match with the Married Mixed team rolling back the years and giving a great account of themselves with the final score being Singles 3-10 Married 3-7. A big thank you must go out to all the players who came and put their bodies on the line in very warm conditions.

Also note the Irish Society AGM is being held on Monday 2nd June in the Crowne Plaza. All Paid up members of the GAA are also Irish society members and their presence at the AGM would be welcomed. I will also be holding the Box Office for the GAA Ball that night (Monday June 2) in the Crowne Plaza so you can kill two birds with one stone.

We will hope to see as many of you as possible on Thursday night. If there is a problem with you getting to the box office but you definitely want tickets can you call me on 050 721 4682. I will also need a full list of names and the group you would like to be seated with. Tables hold 10 people and we have room for 18 tables so the sooner you let me know the better this will work out.

All the best
Ben Kehoe
GAA Chairman

Hello all,

The end of the year is drawing near so here are a few reminders of what is going on in the next few weeks.

Thursday 29th May: Married Vs Singles Game

The annual Married Vs Singles game takes place this year at the American International School pitch on 29th street between 7-8:30 pm.

All players and supporters welcome. This promises to be one of the most bitter matches of the year with the married lads trying to recover the trophy after last year’s slip up.

Thursday 5th June: Abu Dhabi Na Fianna Annual GAA Ball

Al Majlis Suite, Ground Floor - Crown Plaza, Hamdan Street

Tickets will be 250 with five course sit down meal and open bar.

Club Members will be able to get their tickets on Thursday at the game, the rest of the tickets will go on sale at a box office in the Crown Plaza on Monday 2nd of June from 7-9pm.

Can I remind all of you who haven’t voted yet that I need your votes for player of the year as soon as possible. SMS me on 0507214682. Anybody who has played or trained this year gets a vote so don’t be shy!

Ben (Scouse)

Boys/Girls and Scouse

 The Aussie Rules team have organised a Brunch for this Friday. It’s just a get together and gives us a chance to meet up with them and start a good relationship between the clubs (not to mention to start the recruitment drive for next year) and it helps these boys kick off the social aspect of their club.

Everyone is welcome so can you let Woody ( matthew.wood@arady.ae ) or myself know if you will be attending so that he can confirm numbers.

Cheers

Date: Friday 16 May 2008;

Location: Flavors Restaurant, Sheraton Corniche (1st Floor);

Time: 12:30 – 4 pm;

Cost: 150 AED plus a donation to the club;

Included: All you can drink champagne and buffet lunch;

Payment: On the day.
 

Jonathan