SHANE Scanlon admitted he did a double-take while refereeing at the Middle East GAA 7s last weekend – overhead, missiles were being intercepted as conflict in the region escalated.

‘At 2pm, I was refereeing one of the senior group games,’ the Newcestown man told The Southern Star from Dubai this week, still waiting to get home after flights on Monday and Wednesday were cancelled amid rising tensions in the Middle East as Israel and the United States launched military action against Iran.

‘I came off the pitch and we were ball-hopping a couple of fellas about different things. One of the expats out here then mentioned that we could be here a bit longer than we planned. I was looking at him, thinking, “what is he on about?” Then we learned that there were drone attacks around the Middle East, including around Abu Dhabi,’ Scanlon explained.

‘We were so engulfed in the hurling and the matches that we didn't take a whole pile of notice. In the senior final, I was inside doing the line. James McGrath was reffing and just as the match was finishing up, there was what looked like a flare sent up into the sky, very far in the distance. A number of people ran for cover. It was only then that we realised this was more serious than we thought.’

Shane Scanlon with fellow referees James McGrath and Ciarán Flynn at the Middle Eastern GAA 7's.

Later on Saturday, with air strikes continuing, the well-known West Cork referee was back at his hotel as guests were advised to take shelter.

‘We all got alarms on our phones. A chorus of everyone’s phone went off at the same time. It was an alert to say, “please take shelter.” That caused understandable concern inside the hotel,’ the Newcestown man said.

‘People were coming down to the lobby wondering if things were okay. In fairness, the local people were very good at keeping everyone at ease.

‘One night when I was in bed, you could hear bangs outside – possibly something being intercepted in the air. From what I can gather, Dubai is a bit safer than Abu Dhabi at the moment.

‘I have a friend in Abu Dhabi and she was saying they were getting notifications as well to stay in shelter. They’re staying inside their homes. It seems to be a bit more tense there compared to here. It has settled somewhat in the last couple of days, but the uncertainty around when we’re going to get home is what’s weighing on people.’

Scanlon, who was officiating at his second Middle East GAA Games, remained in Dubai on Wednesday awaiting confirmation of a return flight.

‘It’s more strange than anything else,’ he said.

‘Bar the events of Saturday night, things have eased somewhat over the last few days. People are getting out more, whereas on Sunday many stayed indoors. Aside from the obvious concerns, it does feel like daily life is resuming.

‘We are getting great support from the GAA and the authorities in the UAE. That’s one less burden to worry about. You do feel more secure knowing that support is there.’

Given developments in the region since Saturday, the games themselves now feel distant. Scanlon travelled to Dubai to referee alongside James McGrath of Westmeath and Meath official Ciarán Flynn. In the nine-a-side format, with seven-minute halves, Scanlon took charge of nine games on Saturday, including the intermediate final in which his Newcestown clubmate Olan Walsh lined out.

‘The GAA sends referees to officiate at the Middle East championships and leagues throughout the year,’ he explained.

‘There were a couple of rounds earlier in the year and the championship weekend had originally been pencilled in for April. Leinster GAA sent two referees from their province and I travelled through Munster GAA.

‘I was in Abu Dhabi in 2022 for the championship weekend, so I had some idea of what to expect. For James and Ciarán, it was their first time out here and they found it very worthwhile. The hurling standard is good.

‘For Irish people living and working abroad, it’s an important outlet. It keeps people connected and gives them the chance to play competitive sport. There are a lot of Irish teachers and workers over here, so the standard is strong.’