New York must look to youth

NEW YORK GAA president Liam Bermingham has admitted gaelic games in the Big Apple must adapt a strong development programme if they are to be competitive at championship level.

Bermingham was hit badly by New York's demoralising 3-28 to 1-8 defeat at the hands of Mayo in their Connacht SFC encounter in the Bronx's Gaelic Park on Sunday.

The Kildare man, who took over the presidency last year, said that tougher immigration laws in the States following the 9/11 terrorist attacks had seen the Irish population in New York dwindle and the GAA in the city had to encourage American-born children to take up Gaelic games in order for them to survive.