After speaking to the Dubai Chairman last week and over the weekend we have come up with a list of dates (provisional – they can be altered if necessary) for our remaining fixtures with Dubai over the coming months.

Jan 9th – Dubai v Abu Dhabi (In Dubai)
Feb 12th – Abu Dhabi v Dubai (In Abu Dhabi)
Mar 6th – Dubai v Abu Dhabi (In Dubai)
Apr 3rd – Abu Dhabi v Dubai (In Abu Dhabi)
May 15th – Dubai v Abu Dhabi (In Dubai).

Dubai are hosting their 3rd annual Gulf Gaelic Games on the weekend of the 23rd\24th of January.
This is a 7-a-side tournament with teams participating from all around the world.
From our point of view a lot of our players will be on holiday at that time but we should have enough around the capital at that time to field a team\teams.

We are just waiting on Oman to forward confirmation of the dates for their mini tournament later this year and there is also the possibility that we will try to host an event late Februray/first weekend of March also – details\updates to follow over the coming weeks.

Firstly, a huge thank you to everyone who travelled to Bahrain last weekend. I think everyone will agree that it was a fantastic 2 days full of ups (Abu Dhabi winning its first piece of silverware in recent memory), downs (Casey doing a very good impression of a flying Scotsman) and much much more.

On the playing side of things all 3 teams, the 2 men’s teams and the ladies team, acquitted themselves brilliantly on the day in the face of adversity it would have to be said – but that’s a story for another day!

I think it’s fair to say that the play of our ladies against strong Dubai opposition was some of the best and committed play seen from an Abu Dhabi women’s team in a number of years. So well done ladies – a lot to be proud of and cheer about.

Congratulations goes out to the men who secured Abu Dhabi’s first piece of silverware at this tournament since my time here in the Gulf by winning the plate competition. All players on the day showed great commitment and skill so well done to the lads aswell.

A huge thank you has to go out to 2 people in particular – Rory Mallon and Johnny O’ Neill. Rory helped to organize all the flights and got us, I think you’ll all agree, a very reasonable and cheap rate for the trip over. Johnny was the one who organized the accommodation and bus transfers for our 2 days in Bahrain.

Can anyone who has photos from the trip please forward them on to me asap and I can get them but up on our website. I could go on about the crack we had Friday night and then again on Saturday in JJ’s put I think I’ll let the pictures do the talking for me.

Also, anyone who has photos from our Beach Party could you please forward these on also and I’ll get them uploaded onto the site.

Finally, those of you who held onto your strips from Friday can you please bring them to training on Wednesday night. No slacking now – looking forward to seeing everyone at training Wednesday!

Please see the attached page  for the rules of this weekends tournament in Bahrain.

It would seem that the tournament is becoming more professional in its set-up and running so it’s no harm to be familiar with the rules before travelling.

There are a number of rules that are new particularly relating to substitutions, card offences, team lists, etc.

Please read over these so that we don’t make elementary official mistakes that could cost us in thetournament.

Regards,

Declan

Chairman, Abu Dhabi Na Fianna

bahrainirishsocietynewsletter

The following are the flight details for our trip to Bahrain next weekend: -

We need everyone to be at the airport by 6:30 am at latest Friday morning, November 21st.

Last year we had problems checking in with large numbers (this year the numbers are greater so I envisage even greater problems) so everybody needs to be there in plenty of time.

When we arrive in Bahrain we have transport organized to take us to the hotel straight away and then from the hotel to the Rugby Grounds.

The Hotel we are staying in is the Carlton Hotel in Bahrain.We have 11 double and 11 triple rooms booked. The double rooms are reserved for couples and for kids with their parents. Everyone else will have to divide themselves up between the 11 triple rooms.

If you have any further questions about Friday or the weekend ahead please don’t hesitate to ring me on 050 3236804.

Declan Madden

If you didn’t manage to meet up with the visiting Clare team, tonight’s your chance.  

The Clare Senior Hurling Team will be in Abu Dhabi tonight for a number of hours before they fly back to Dublin early tomorrow morning. The plan is to have a meet and greet (and by that I mean a few pints) with them from 6:00 pm onwards in Heroes.

If anyone is about please pop down and say hello – we’d like to extend to them the usual hospitable Na Fianna welcome afforded to all who arrive in Abu Dhabi. 

They leave for the airport at 11:00 pm.

Cheers,

Declan

Message from Dubai Celts:

The Clare Team are visiting Dubai on Holiday and have kindly agreed to hold an exhibition match against Dubai Celts and a training camp for our underage (see attached flyer). It will take place at the new Emirates Complex on the Al Ain Road (Junction 29) from 6 pm onwards on Sunday 9th. The format of the match is still to be agreed but we are hoping to play them half a match hurling and half a match football. It will be great to see some of the best hurlers in Ireland showing off their skills.

Darragh

Dubai Celts Chairman

Just to fill you in on the details of our matches for this coming Friday, November 7th. We have the pitch at The American International School booked from 2:30 – 5:00 pm (Training location). (See map above under “Training”)
 
The format of the day will hopefully be something as follows: -

• 2:30 – 3:00 pm – Kids game
• 3:00 – 3:30 pm – Ladies game
• 3:30 – 4:00 pm – Men’s game
• 4:00 – 4:30 pm – 2nd Ladies game
• 4:30 – 5:00 pm – 2nd Men’s game

Could I ask that everyone be at the pitches for 2:15 pm sharp. It would be nice for the kids to have a crowd watching their match and as Pat and Trish support our 2 senior teams I think it’s the least we can do in return.
 
There is an academy on after us using the pitch at 5:00 pm so it is important that everything runs off on time so as to maximize playing time for all teams.
 
And finally, just a reminder that our Beach Party will take place that night after the games in The Club. Gates open at 9:00 pm.

Just a few things people need to note regarding the Beach Party: -

1. Everyone needs to have purchased their ticket beforehand in order to gain entry to The Club premises. Show your ticket at the gate on the night.
2. If you are a non member you will need to bring a form of ID with you, along with your ticket, in order to gain entry.
3. THE POOL AND SEA ARE OFF LIMITS! Anyone found entering the pool or the sea will immediately be asked to leave The Club – no second chances. This is a Club stipulation and one which we have to abide by.

That’s everything for now. If anyone has any questions about any of the above please don’t hesitate to contact me. My mobile is 050 3236804.

Declan Madden, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Na Fianna