Calling all men´s & ladies football, hurling & camogie clubs!!!!

The 2nd Annual Gulf Gaelic Games will be held in Dubai on the 25th and 26th of January, 2008 at the Dubai Polo Grounds.

The inaugural Gulf Gaelic Games 7’s tournament was held last January and it proved to be a worldwind success. Teams came from the Middle East, Asia, Britian and Ireland to take part in last year’s football, hurling & camogie competitions. Limavaddy ran out winners in the Men’s A football after an epic battle with Hong Kong in the final that went to extra time. Dubai Celts won the ladies football final. St. Brigids won the hurling final in a high scoring game against Dubai Celts and St. Munna’s ran out convincing winners against Dubai Celts ladies in the Camogie Final.

Dubai Celts also hosted the Vodafone Football All-stars and a 3,000 strong crowd watched their exhibition game at the end of tournament- a great display of what Gaelic football is all about. Thanks to the success of GGG 2007, next year´s event promises to be even bigger and it is the firm belief of the Dubai Celts that the Gulf Gaelic Games can be developed into one of the premier GAA tournaments held outside of Ireland.

Teams will battle it out over two days in the different sections of the competition and the strongest teams will be rewarded for their efforts at the end of day two in what promise to be closely contested finals. Added to the lure of high quality competitive action is the attractiveness of Dubai as a tourist destination. Dubai is easily accessible from across Asia and Europe, and with direct flights from Dublin, Dubai is a whole lot closer to home than you might think!!

In January, Dubai offers a welcome escape from the inclement weather of places outside the Gulf. You´re promised azure blue skies, balmy temperatures in the mid-20´s and a wealth of attractions too numerous to mention. There will be a detailed itinerary for visiting teams, so when you´re not pitting your wits against the opposition on the pitch, there´ll be plenty of other things to keep you busy off it. During the 2007 tournament, visiting teams enjoyed a night at the races, tried their hands (and legs!!) at skiing, went dune-bashing in the vastness of the Arabian Desert and had plenty of "craic ´s ceol" by night too!

The Dubai Irish Festival will also be held from 21st-27th Jan. This is the first year that this festival will be held in Dubai and it promises to be a wonderful week, with plenty activities taking place all over the city in conjunction with the Gulf Gaelic Games.

If you´re planning any tours or events for your club in 2008 then now is the time to get cracking - the Dubai Celts promise you a tournament you will never forget - even if you don´t bring home the spoils! Please be sure to check out the Dubai Celts website, www.dubaicelts, for more information on the Gulf Gaelic Games 2008.

Please email any queries you may have to a_mordan@dubaicelts.com