It's a long, long way from Croke Park, but Shanghai showed that China can hold its own as a football venue at the weekend when Gaelic sports enthusiasts gathered for the Asian Gaelic Games.
Hundreds of GAA fans from Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, China and other far-flung regions descended on the Chinese financial capital to do battle for the Derek Brady Cup in the 11th Asian games, a hard- fought competition that showcases the growing enthusiasm for the Irish national game in the Far East.
Some 450 players from Dubai, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and Dalian, took part and the tournament produced some highly skilled, fiercely competitive games.
Hong Kong, consistently the strongest team in the continent, put in a strong performance to overwhelm Singapore 7-7 to 0-6, while Shanghai's B team edged Dalian 3-4 to 3-3 to win the Bowl. The Plate was won by Shanghai, who beat Dubai 6-5 to 2-7.
In the women's tournament, Dubai denied Hong Kong a men and women's double when they won the Cup 5-5 to 4-5, while the Bowl was won by Taiwan, who beat Korea 4-1 to 0-1. Japan won the Plate, beating last year's champions Beijing by a single point, 2-4 to 2-3.
The games were officially opened by Minister of State for Trade and Employment Michael Ahern at the Lujiazui Development Museum in the heart of Shanghai's new central business district.
"It is wonderful to see Irish culture and sport on display in Shanghai and it is a testament to the strong links between Ireland and China," the Minister said.
Irish ambassador Declan Kelleher and Shanghai consul Nicholas O'Brien also attended, as did commentator Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh.
The games are the biggest gathering of Irish expatriates in the continent, with investment advisers from Wicklow via Tokyo, English teachers from Cork via Seoul and IT consultants from Dublin via Hong Kong all getting stuck in.
GAA is one of the fastest- growing amateur sports in the Far East and attracts people from all nationalities. The Asian GAA Board was established earlier this year.
