Dubai Celts Dominate in Sharjah

Dubai Celts clinched the Middle East Hurling League title with a thrilling 4-7 to 1-8 victory over Jumeirah Gaels in the Round 3 final at Sharjah Sports Club.

The Celts entered the final tournament as league leaders and heavy favourites, needing only a semi-final place to secure the title. The men in red and white dominated all day, beating Jumeirah Gaels (2-5 to 0-4), Abu Dhabi Wolfe Tones (2-9 to 0-7), Sharjah (1-8 to 0-5) and Abu Dhabi McDonaghs (1-5 to 1-2) in the group stages.

Meanwhile, Jumeriah, playing in their first season in the senior grade, displayed impressive resilience and character as they beat Sharjah (0-12 to 1-8), Abu Dhabi McDonaghs (1-7 to 1-6) and Abu Dhabi Wolfe Tones (2-9 to 2-8).

The Celts – deserved champions – have played an attractive and open brand of hurling all season and are sprinkled with talent from 1-14. However, special mention must go to Peter Geraghty (Offaly), Ruairi Tubrid (Wexford), Aidan Morrissey (Galway), Jamie Diviney (Galway) and Anthony Spillane (Cork), who excelled all day in Wandies. This season, Liam Mulligan (Waterford) has been a serious addition to the Celts. With the footballers in the hunt for league glory on February 25, the Clonea man is on course to be one of the few players in the region to hold both senior hurling and football league winner’s medals.

For the valiant Jumeirah side, Killian Fitzgerald (Waterford), Barry Og Murphy (Cork), Mike Mullins (Galway) and Mike Fitzgibbon (Limerick) stepped up when needed and delivered towering performances. After a strong debut season, there is much to look forward to from this talented team.

In the camogie final, Dubai Celts prevailed by seven points (0-10 to 0-3) against Abu Dhabi.