Vol.

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

Welcome to December’s edition of the Oryx Observer. We hope everyone had a great Novem-
ber and you are all looking forward to the well deserved holidays just around the corner.

Off the pitch, the team weekend bonding trips were a great success and we have included a
few photos of the weekend in the newsletter. On the pitch, the training intensity has been
upped as our Intermediate Men will make the trip to Oman in January for the weekend of the
18th. Our Senior Men and Ladies will do the same trip a week later. Find out how they got on
in February's edition. In the Tournaments section, check out the fixtures that are ahead in
2019.

In our Sponsor section we look at Hydroserv. It is their generous support, as with all our spon-
sors, that allows us to keep moving forward in a positive way.
Answers to last month’s very long quiz is in The Dugout section along with a fresh winter brain
teaser. All info for Thursday’s highly anticipated Christmas Party is inside too.

We would like to wish everyone who is travelling home and beyond a very safe trip. Enjoy the
quality time with family and friends and we will be ready to go again in January!

Nollaig Shona Daoibh,

The Qatar GAA Committee.

 Club Committee
– We’re Social —
Main Committee 2018/19 Sub-Committee 2018/2019

Chairperson: John Mollen Ladies’ Register: Gill Behan

chairperson.qatar.middleeast@gaa.ie
Men’s Register: George McCallion
Vice Chairperson / Treasurer: Ken Allen
Social Event Planner: Laura Clerkin
treasurer.qatar.middleeast@gaa.ie

Secretary: Claire Kelly Newsletter Editor: Ross Gibbons

PRO: Dan Kiely PRO Assistants: Alessa Gross

pro.qatar.middleeast@gaa.ie Barry Egan

Padraig McCann
Register: Rob Kearns
Irish Society Link Members:
ME Rep: Colman Hands
Padraig McCann
Ross Gibbons

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 —
Tournaments
 Upcoming Tournament Dates 2019

Oman
Jan 18th
Intermediate MEN

Jan 25th
Senior MEN & Senior LADIES (Qatar’s Home Tournament in Oman)

Al Ain
Feb 8th
Senior - Intermediate & Junior MEN
Junior 1 & Junior 3 LADIES

Sharjah
Feb 22nd
Junior MEN
Junior 1,2 & 3 LADIES

Plenty of football to look forward to!!!

 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 elimi-
nated, if they win then they’re through to pick a new team the following week. 90
players have fallen since the last newsletter with now only 6 players remaining head-
ing into the midweek fixtures.
Australian Football League (AFL)
The second edition of the Donoghue Simpson Cup was another big success, played
on Friday Night at the Doha Rugby Club. Of course the night wouldn't have gone so
well without the support of the expat community living here in Qatar. A big special
mention to a few people: John Mollen for planning and organizing the event, trophy,
and organizing the GAA men. Damon Tilley for umpiring the matches (even after run-
ning a 10k in the morning!). Dave Rehn, Blair Richardson, Colin Hackwood, Anthony
Hazeldine, Rowan Luke, and Isobel Gallagher for their various roles in boundary um-
piring, goal umpiring, scores, time keeping, and photography. Finally, thanks to all of
the players who took part in the game. The Doha Kangaroos represented the club
with gusto, and had 5 new players making their debut. To the Qatar GAA: The AFL
skills have definitely improved since last time, and no doubt if Tadhg Kennelly was in
the crowd he would have been signing up a few of the Irish fellas to the Sydney
Swans as International Rookies. Thanks for supporting us throughout the blockade
and we hope to challenge ye in another tournament in early 2019 with the round
ball.
Congratulations to the GAAGAAS on their win the Donoghue Simpson Cup Final!
After losing their first game in the group stage by a massive six goals, the GAAGAAS
pulled themselves together and went on to win their next two games to book them-
selves a place in the Cup Final against the Swans. A tense first half saw both teams
holding each other scoreless with some tough defensive work at both ends. The in-
tensity in the second half picked up and both teams found avenues to score goals.
The game was just as close and by the end of the game both teams drew level on the
scoreboard, taking the game in to extra time. The GAAGAAS found something special,
and perhaps the umpiring went their way on a few decisions, and they ran away with
the win, defeating the Swans 0 overs 4 unders and 4 behinds (16 pts) to 0.2.3 (9 pts).
Credit to Doha Kangaroos for the write-up!
 Our Ladies’ Team Building Weekend

Our Ladies got their weekend off to a start with a tough training session. Following
this, they made their way to Doha Sports Park with their tents. The yoga was out in
full swing the next morning to set them up for the day.
 Our Men’s Team Building Weekend
The men’s weekend started off with an early training session in the Rugby Club
working on drills and tactics. This was followed by an intense CrossFit session in
the gym where they were divided into teams and put through their paces! Once
this concluded, they all headed straight for the desert towards Zekreet to camp
overnight. When the tents were pitched and the fire was lit - some sang songs,
some told terrible jokes while others opted for a bit of stand-up.
 What’s on in Doha?
– We’re Social —

Tickets at the door!

 Hurling & Camogie

The hurling and camogie players took part in their Christmas session in Oryx Interna-
tional school last Thursday. The second session took part in the Rose and Thistle later
that night with some tough work put in! The popular pub will offer 10% discount
when a club member presents their Qatar GAA digital membership card at the bar.
Well done to Colman and the rest of the players for a great year again. See you all in
2019!

December’s Football Schedule

December’s training plans are not fully finalised. For now, the following trainings will
take place.
 December 4th - Ladies’ training at the Rugby Club @8:15pm
 December 5th - Men’s training at Doha Sports Park @6.15pm
Relevant WhatsApp groups will keep you up-to-date with any changes.
 Player Profiles

Cara Hackett NAME Paul “Rabbo” Robinson

24 AGE 25

Tyrone COUNTY West Belfast

Forward POSITION In the gym

Ciara Trainor FUNNIEST TEAMMATE That wee fella from Ardboe,

Sean “Stoopy” Teague

A wee shortie with a baby face OTHERS WOULD DESCRIBE YOU A quiet, reserved fella that
AS…. keeps to himself

Sharjah tournament 2017 QATAR GAA DEBUT Al Ain Hurling tournament

2017

Curting Paudie Mullan at the QATAR GAA HIGHLIGHT Rightfully beating Chris
GAA Christmas night 2016. Life McSteen to Most Dedicated
hasn’t been the same since Hurler of the Year last year

Sanka the bobsleigher from FAVOURITE SPORTSPERSON Niall McParland

Cool Runnings (Down Captain)

I can’t swim UNKNOWN FACT ABOUT YOU I’m actually not on roids

The Corniche FAVOURITE PLACE IN QATAR Rugby Club on a Saturday

night with my childhood
friend, Colman

If Plan A fails, remember there FAVOURITE QUOTE “Talk’s cheap, takes money to
are 25 more letters buy hotdogs” - Joe McVeigh,
O’ Donnells GAC.
 The Dugout
Winter Olympics Trivia Quiz

Continued on next page…..

Answers will be in the next newsletter
 Can you name the top Premier League scorer for every nationality?
www.planetfootball.com/quizzes/can-name-top-premier-league-goalscorer-every-nationality/
Last month’s quiz answers

Continued on next page…..

 Can you name the top Premier League scorer for every nationality?
www.planetfootball.com/quizzes/can-name-top-premier-league-goalscorer-every-nationality/
Last month’s quiz answers
Qatar na nÓg
 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. Last month we looked at Duffy Consulting Engineers (DCE) and this month we
would like introduce to you one of our well known sponsors, Hydroserv.

Hydroserv is a rental and services company specialising in the supply of both me-
chanical & non-mechanical products to the event, construction and oil & gas indus-
tries. They hire out the equipment you need when you need it, and they make sure
it’s fully maintained, serviced and fit for purpose immediately, efficiently and safely.
At Hydroserv they pride themselves on their reliable equipment – designed to make
a real difference to their clients’ budget, deadlines and their Impact on the environ-
ment – and their emphasis on efficient and quality service.

T +974 7777 9554

E info@siteservint.com