Croke Park date for NY youngsters

New York's minor footballers will face Roscommon in the ESB Connacht Minor Football Championship at Croke Park on Saturday (throw-in 3pm), in the curtain raiser to the Allianz Football Leagues Division 3 and 4 finals.

This is the second year that New York are competing in the provincial competition. They played Galway at Pearse Stadium in Salthill last year.

The minors' appearance at GAA headquarters is seen as huge boost to the New York County Board in their promotion of Gaelic games.

Connacht GAA Secretary John Prenty said: "When the suggestion first arose to put the game into headquarters, we were delighted with the enthusiasm shown by Croke Park and stadium officials to accommodate the request.

"For many players who will line out in the match, it will be the only opportunity they ever get to play at Croke Park. For the New York minors, in particular, it is a dream come true.

"To travel to Ireland to play in the Connacht Championship is an honour in itself, but for that game to be now played at Croke Park elevates the occasion to a whole new dimension.

"I wish both teams well at Croke Park, and perhaps we have stumbled on an idea here for similar promotions in the future."

Comhairle Connacht are twinned with New York and see this as a further support for the games overseas.

Roscommon will play Longford in the Division 4 final at 5pm, making it a bumper day out in Dublin for fans of the primrose and gold.