Vol.

– We’re Social —
 Club Foreward
– We’re Social —
A Chairde,

Welcome to October’s edition of The Oryx Observer!

We would like to extend a very warm welcome to all our new members, returning members
and our club sponsors. This newsletter is the first of the 2018 - 2019 season and will keep you
up-to-date with all the events, both on and off the field. On a monthly basis we will discuss
different topics such as tournaments, social events, player profiles and concluding with a
crossword or brain teaser in ‘The Dugout’ section. Considering the large number of new
players to Qatar GAA, this issue of the newsletter will cover both the history of the club and
some other key information to keep you informed and entertained.

We would like to give a special thank you to our club sponsors for their generous support this
year. It is the support of our sponsors that enables our club to continue to expand and
develop. This year we are fortunate enough to have sponsors including The Qatar Irish
Society, Duffy Consulting Engineers (DCE), Hydroserve, McGettigans, Grand Hyatt and Donegal
Physiotherapy.

The very best of luck to our travelling teams who will take part in the first round of the Middle
East League in Dubai on October 5th. Our Men’s Senior and Intermediate sides will travel
alongside our Junior 1 and Junior 3 Ladies’ teams. Our last trip to the UAE was back in April for
the Abu Dhabi Championship. It saw all 6 of our teams reach the finals of their competitions,
with 4 of our teams (3 of which were the ladies) take home the trophies. The girls battled hard
and proved why they are a force to be reckoned with in the Middle East. Our intermediate
men breezed through their competition with our senior and junior sides losing narrowly in
their finals. It was a great way to finish off a very difficult year for the club.

Find out how our travelling teams got on in next month’s issue!

Yours sincerely,
The Qatar GAA Committee.
 Club Committee
– We’re Social —
Main Committee 2018/19 Sub-Committee 2018/2019

Chairperson: John Mollen Ladies’ Register: Gill Behan

[email protected]
Men’s Register: George McCallion
Vice Chairperson / Treasurer: Ken Allen
Social Event Planner: Laura Clerkin
[email protected]

Secretary: Claire Kelly Newsletter Editor: Ross Gibbons

PRO: Dan Kiely PRO Assistants: Alessa Gross

[email protected] Barry Egan

Padraig McCann
Register: Rob Kearns

Irish Society Link Person:

ME Rep: Colman Hands
Padraig McCann

Underage GAA Link:

To Be Filled

Please get in touch with a club committee member if you have any queries or would like
something added to next month’s newsletter.

Website: www.qatargaa.qa
Facebook: Qatar GAA
Instagram: Qatar GAA
Twitter: @QatarGAA
– We’re Social —
 Club History
– We’re Social —
Oryx Na hEireann (Qatar GAA) was born on the
arrival of new blood from the Green Isle in 2004 by
a small number of Irish with a passion for football.
Firstly, we needed a green field in the desert with
a “drinking well” nearby. We approached the rug-
by club with hope in the air and they honored our
request to form an ongoing, long lasting 12 year
relationship. With great enthusiasm “Oryx na hEir-
eann” began in September 2004. The logo was the
Qatar’s First Gaelic Football Team - Bahrain
next mission, the imaginations were rolling and
the logo was drawn on the back of an envelope
and agreed by everyone over a few pints. Once we had the organization set up all that was needed
were the bodies to make up a team and through the dedication of the committee and players, re-
cruitment commenced.

For the first tournament, we surprised the Gulf with our performance and how we had got together
in such a short period of time. We also had children who travelled and participated in the junior
football competition where they won some shiny medals. We were now well established in the Gulf.
Dubai Celts made their maiden voyage to Qatar on the 2 nd February 2006. Since Oryx Na hEireann
gave Dubai a run for their money in Bahrain, Dubai now considered us a force in the Middle East to
be reckoned with and potential successors to Dubai’s crown as Gulf Champions. This was the first
competitive Gaelic Football game to be played in Doha. An excellent game of football was played
that night, ending in a draw after extra time. Since we had purchased a cup for the occasion, we
went to a penalty shoot-out. Qatar prevailed and got to keep the cup on home soil. The club made
its’ breakthrough success in the 2006 Gulf Gaelic Games in Bahrain. Led by the imperious Alan
McFadden, Russell Casey, Mick Costello & Mick Browne, Qatar GAA lifted the John O Leary Cup aloft
in fine style. This set the benchmark for all club activities going forward. Qatar GAA built on the Bah-
rain victory by bringing home the Oman Games title in early 2007.

There were many wins and losses over the next few years however Qatar GAA became the dominant
team in the Middle East with a record not beaten to date. The biggest win for the club over the years
cannot go without a mention where in 2013 we sent 2 men’s teams and the first ladies team to Ma-
laysia and took home two winning trophies and were crowned the Asian Gaelic Games Champions
(Men’s A and C). The character of the every player in the club since it’s’ birth in 2004 is unique.
Friendship and ambition are the hallmark of Qatar GAA and it is these traits that are going to be the
source of all future success in the club.

No one could have imagined back in 2004 that we would be fielding 8 teams across 4 leagues which
is a tribute to the dedication and commitment to the members of the club.
 Membership
Just a reminder on 2018/2019 membership fees. The final date for payment is October
12th.

 Playing Membership: 600QR

 Social membership: 300QR

Football training and participation in tournaments is for Playing Members only,

however Social Members can attend circuit training when scheduled.

Below is an example of our new Digital Membership Card for the upcoming season!
Qatar na nÓg
Tournaments
 Events
LAST PERSON STANDING - WINNER TAKES ALL
Qatar GAA is currently running a Last Person Standing competition as a fundraiser
event. Each person uses the weekly Premier League fixtures to pick a team they think
will win that game week. If their team lose or draw then that person is eliminated, if
they win then they’re through to pick a new team the following week. It is getting ex-
citing now with over 70 of the initial 268 competitors eliminated already after 2
weeks.
QATAR GAA IN-HOUSE TOURNAMENT
Our in-house tournament took place on September 7th and was once again a massive
success followed by a great night at the Rugby Club. It would not have been possible
without the organisation and commitment of those in The Qatar Irish Society and the
staff at the Rugby Club. A big thank you to everyone involved for their hard work.

A sneak peak of our new jersey for the 2018/2019 season!

Our in-house tournament consisting of 140 players making up 11 teams and
playing 60 games battled it out all day in the 40 degree heat.
The men’s final featured Al Waab in blue, led by Kevin Mossey, and Musherib In
yellow who were guided by Caolam Brogan. In total these two teams played
nine matches each that day. Al Waab got ahead early on and managed to hold
on until the end to beat Musherib in another spectacular tournament final.
In our ladies’ final, sporting the green colours were Ezdan, captained
by Kimberly Popp. They ran out overall winners against a strong
maroon Lagoona side led by Sinead McGilloway. Closely matched
throughout the game, Ezdan managed to hold off Lagoona to cap off
an impressive performance throughout the day.
 Men's Football Training

Training times are as follows:

Monday: 8.20pm – 9.30pm – Doha Rugby Club (Please note that Men’s Training will be
on Tuesday 2nd October instead of Monday 1st October).

Wednesday (Junior & Social training): 7pm – 8pm – Doha Golf Club

Friday: 9am – 10am – Doha Golf Club

Ladies' Football Training

Training times are as follows:

Tuesday: 8.20pm – 9.30pm – Doha Rugby Club (Please note that Ladies’ Training will be
on Monday 1st October instead of Tuesday 2nd October).

Monday 1st October)

Friday: 8am – 9am – Doha Golf Club

Rugby Club Golf Club

Training Fields
 Hurling & Camogie Training

Training: Monday 1st & 8th October: 6 – 7pm – Doha Rugby Club

On Friday 12th October, Qatar GAA will host the Qatar 7s Hurling and Camogie
tournament at the Doha Golf Club. This event will take place between 8 - 10am and
promises to be an entertaining two hours for both players and spectators.

October’s Training Schedule

* Please be aware of changes to schedules including training times, locations and
social events. A calendar is released on a monthly basis outlining relevant details.
 Player Profiles

Ríoghnach Devine NAME Sean Teague

25 AGE 25

Tyrone COUNTY Tyrone

Goalkeeper POSITION Corner back

Adele McFadden FUNNIEST TEAMMATE Hot debate between James

Turley, Paddy Sweeney or
Paul Rabbo.

Rub a bald man on the head, PRE-MATCH ROUTINE I have none but I like to fire at
touch a beard and lick my elbow least ten cups of tea into me.
three times before putting my
boots on.

Doha 2016 QATAR GAA DEBUT Abu Dhabi 2018

Lifting the Junior Championship QATAR GAA HIGHLIGHT Making the Intermediate
cup with the girls in Abu Dhabi in team against all the odds.
April.

The O’Donovan bothers FAVOURITE SPORTSPERSON Barry McGuigan

Balancing all sorts of objects on HIDDEN TALENT Not hidden, but I can spin an
my head. epic yarn I’ve been told.

Camping in the desert. FAVOURITE PLACE IN QATAR The Corniche for a brisk walk.
 The Dugout
Can you name the All Stars Footballer of the Year winners?

* Surnames only — No spaces or apostrophes to be included!

 Sponsors
Qatar GAA would like to take this opportunity to thank all our sponsors in advance for the
2018/2019 Season. Without their generosity and ongoing support we would not be in a position to
excel as a club and build on the previous progress made each year. Over the course of the season
we will take an in-depth look at each of our sponsors. This month we would like to introduce The
Qatar Irish Society.

The Qatar Irish Society aims to organise social, sporting and cultural events throughout the year in
order to promote closer relations and greater engagement in the Irish Community in Qatar.
The Qatar Irish Society is a non-political, non-denominational and non-profit association for the
benefit of Irish people and the friends of Ireland in Qatar.

The Qatar Irish Society will shortly begin offering Membership to Qatar Residents affiliated with the
Irish Community through Irish citizenship or otherwise. Membership, which is currently free, will
entitle members access to a range of discounts from Qatar based businesses, real-time updates
about news and events. Membership cards will be Virtual, and accessible to IOS & Android mobile
devices. To apply for membership, please complete the relevant form on the website and you will
receive an email and SMS to complete registration once they launch.

Website: www.qataririshsociety.com
Facebook: Qatar Irish Society
Instagram: Qatar Irish Society
Twitter: @Qatar_Irish_Soc