Embrace New York, and GAA opens up a whole new appealing vista

Gaelic Park certainly brings bother to Connacht teams vising the Bronx. For 24 years the visitors were able to successfully overcome the bother. With varying degrees of difficulty and on occasion a lot of luck. On Saturday last, that ran out. A great win for a hugely talented New York. 

Jack Reilly of New York, centre, celebrates after Leitrim miss a penalty during the Connacht GAA Football Senior Championship quarter-final match. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

THE uniqueness of a Championship trip to New York can be summarised in many wild and wonderful ways. At the half-time break of the 2017 quarter-final, Sligo held a narrow lead. We worriedly packed into the dressing room and took a few minutes to gather our thoughts. After a handful of Jelly Babies, a bathroom break was my next priority.

I queued the location of the urinal, behind a long line of supporters. “Ye are in a bit of bother,” one suggested. Supporters offering insightful analysis to players of the preceding 35 minutes is not something on offer in all championship venues.