Dallas may host 2014 interpro deciders

The GAA are looking into the possibility of staging one or both of the Interprovincial finals in Dallas, Texas in 2014.

Fresh from GAA president Liam O’Neill’s confirmation that the organisation are seriously considering New York as the venue for one of the National League finals in two years’ time, it has now been revealed they are looking at further competitive games being played in the US.

It’s believed the Interprovincial finals, which were this year played for the first time since 2009, could form the major draw of the annual North Texas Irish festival in 2014.

Established in 1983, the three-day cultural event takes place in Dallas’ Fair Park in early March and has draw crowds of up to 63,000 annually.

Earlier this week, O’Neill had indicated the GAA were weighing up the idea of hosting not just one competitive season game in the US in two years’ time but more.

“2014 will provide us will provide us with the possibility of playing a few games here to celebrate the New York centenary and we’re looking into that possibility,” he said.

Referring to the National League final being played in New York, he added: “It’s to find the game which would give the exposure and be built around a weekend of activity here that would show-case New York [GAA]. If we’re ambitious about being international we have to step off the island occasionally for games like that.”

In Dallas, the North Texas Irish festival would provide that along with the support of the Fionn Mac Cumhaills along with the Lone Star State’s other clubs, Austin’s Celtic Cowboys, the Houston Fenians and the San Antonio Defenders.

With the backing of Martin Donnelly as sponsor, the 2005 Interprovincial hurling final and 2006 football decider were played in Boston. Rome, Paris, London and Abu Dhabi have also hosted finals in the past decade.