Etihad Airways and Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority announce Abu Dhabi Na Fianna versus Dubai Hurling match

The local 'derby' match will be held at 2.30pm at the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club as a curtain-raiser to the main event between Connacht and Leinster.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways' executive vice president marketing and product said, "Any match between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is always exciting. We're delighted that Abu Dhabi Sports Council is supporting this competition between the two local hurling teams. We believe firmly that all our sponsorships need to engage the local community in the UAE and we hope that the Irish community and their friends will come along to support their respective teams."

The match between the Abu Dhabi Na Fianna and Dubai Celts is sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Tourism Ireland.

H.E Mohammed Al Mahmood, Secretary General of Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) said, "Abu Dhabi Sports Council is committed to showcasing world-class sport. We are very pleased to support Etihad and the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority in bringing one of Ireland's leading sporting events to one of Abu Dhabi's leading sports venues, the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club. By sponsoring this match, we are highlighting our commitment to sport of all kinds for Abu Dhabi's community."

Captaining the Abu Dhabi Na Fianna hurling team is Declan Madden. He said, "It's incredible that the Interprovincial Final is being held here in Abu Dhabi and that we'll be playing before the main match in a curtain-raiser. It's a huge honour to be part of this showcase for our sport which we all love and I hope that all sports fans will come along with their families and friends to watch our great game and have a cracking day out."

Hurling is a game similar to field hockey and is played with a small ball and a curved wooden stick, called a hurley. It is also said to be Europe's oldest field game. The sport is an integral part of Irish culture and one of the fastest and most physical sports in the world. Etihad Airways is one of the main sponsors of the sport in Ireland.

Visitors to the Ghantoot Polo and Racing Club on the day of the matches will be able to enjoy a wide variety of entertainment for all the family including the chance to hit a sliotar, the game's ball, with a hurley stick.