Asia's Irish community gathered in Shanghai, China, yesterday for the 10th annual Asian Gaelic Games, a lively tournament of Irish sport that featured Asia's first competitive hurling match and marching music by the People's Liberation Army band.
One of Asia's biggest amateur sporting events, the games attracted 2,000 spectators from all over the continent. Gaelic games are increasingly popular, especially the women's game.
Taking part were 450 players on 35 teams from 10 countries, including Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Japan and Dubai. Roscommon accents mingled with Malaysian dialects on the grounds of the Shanghai rugby club, where the event was held.
Ireland's ambassador to China, Declan Kelleher, said: "There is a high degree of participation and the matches have been very exciting. The Asian Games are just going from strength to strength, they have really become a substantial event."
A strong Dubai men's side edged Hong Kong 2-8 2-6 in front of thousands of spectators to win the tournament's main prize, the Derek Brady Cup.
The crowd favourite was the women's final between Beijing and Dubai, a thrilling encounter which the Beijing Banshees won 5-4 to 4-3 after extra time.
Beijing entered for the first time last year and lost all their games without scoring a single point. The same team came to Shanghai and came away with the honours.
Angela Keane from Lispole, Co Kerry, was more focused on her Beijing side's fortunes than the outcome of her home county's All Ireland final against Tyrone.
"This is my third games and it just gets better and better, it's a superbly original tournament," she said. "The competition is great and the camaraderie is fantastic
Asia's first competitive hurling match was won by Seoul, who edged out Beijing 2-5 to 2-8.
Michael Bowens (25), an IT consultant who is one of the organising committee, said: "We're hosting it here in mainland China to boost the profile of the sport here. GAA has a good basis in Singapore and Hong Kong, so now we want to get the teams here in China."
In honour of the occasion, the Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV tower, one of Shanghai's most prominent landmarks, was lit up in green, white and orange.
The first Asian Gaelic Games tournament took place in Manila in 1995.