Hurling hits the Middle East

The GAA has confirmed that top level hurling will be played in the Middle East for the first time next month when the final of the 2009 M Donnelly Inter-provincial Hurling Championship will be played in Abu Dhabi thanks to a novel arrangement with hurling championship sponsors Etihad and the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.

The winners of tomorrow's two semi-finals will meet in the final on Saturday March 14 at Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club with a 4pm throw in time locally (12.00 Irish time).

The venture will see top-level hurling played in the UAE for the first time ever and GAA President-elect Criostóir Ó Cuana, who will travel to the region for the game, lauded the initiative.

"This will be a novel experience for our top level hurlers and everyone involved with the tour," he said. "Although some of the best Gaelic footballers played an All-Stars game in Dubai in 2007, this will be the first time top level hurling has visited the region."

"It also presents us with another chance to reach out and interact with the Irish population in the UAE and especially those involved with the GAA.

"We see it as a further extension of our relationship with Etihad that worked so well last year over the course of the hurling championship."

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways' executive vice president marketing and product, said: "This will be an historic occasion for both the UAE and Ireland and we are honoured to host such a prestigious event in Abu Dhabi."

"There is a growing Irish population living in the UAE and I'm sure they will be joined by hundreds of sports fans on the day to experience first-hand this amazing sport. Having experienced the thrill of watching live hurling in Ireland I recommend any sports enthusiasts to come and watch this fantastic event."

Competition sponsor Martin Donnelly, who has helped bring the series to cities such as Paris, Rome and Boston in the past, also backed the venture.

He said: "The prospect of bringing hurling to a venue such as Abu Dhabi is a new one and the idea of exposing the game to a potentially new audience is exciting."

The match will also be broadcast live on TG4 and Leascheannansaí, Pádhraic Ó Ciardha believes the station's decision to broadcast the game provides further evidence of their commitment to the GAA.

"I think this shows that it's not all about the big games for us. We are involved in covering third level games, and upcoming club matches in addition to regular league coverage and this is further proof of our appetite to cover all levels of the GAA."

Today's event was also attended by President Elect Christy Cooney who had no comment to make on the late night discussions aimed at breaking the deadlock in Cork which is a matter of regret for co-sponsor Martin Donnelly.