The first games of the new UAE championship took place on a cold wet day in Dubai in October. Actually, the sun was splitting the rocks as usual, but October always brings up connotations of horrible weather! Dubai Celts had generously put their hands in their pockets and come up with a brand spanking new piece of metal, marble and plastic, the ChallAnge(sic) trophy. The spelling is entirely the fault of some local lad in Karama who found engraving the word 'Challenge' a bit challenging.

For the Fianna, it was a first chance to see our new look teams in action, a first chance for some of the new folk to sample the dubious delights of Dubai, and for the rest of us to renew old rivalries, and leave behind a few more bruises.

The women's B team were first into action, and eventually, suffering mostly from heat exhaustion, capitulated to a strong Dubai team.

The first Fianna team of the year was represented by the following:

Back Row: Laura Griffin, Mags Condon, Marie Banaghan, Karen Frehill, Aoife Boyce, Karen Chircop, Eimer Melvin

Front Row: Deirdre McNally, Aine Roche, Tracey Barradell, Denise Carroll, Emma Rose, Kate Brand

Incidentally, this was Laura's last game as she found out soon afterwards that a wee Griffin (Hannah) was on the way!

At the end of a long hard day, the men's A team finally went into action (sporting their alternative 'Lacrosse' tops!), and after a titanic battle with the Celts a late goal from Adrian Reen (who else?) sealed victory

Back row: Mark Vevers, Kieran Walsh, John Moran, John Dennigan, Gearoid Leen, Denis Crotty

Front Row: Adrian Reen, Sean Griffin, Anthony Carey, Des Reilly, Felim Bolster