New York chair on board with plan to bring champions Stateside

Mayo's Darren McHale with New York's Cian O'Dea in the 2024 Connacht SFC quarter-final at Gaelic Park, New York. Pic: Emily Harney

New York chairman Seán Price has wholeheartedly endorsed GAA president Jarlath Burns’s support for the All-Ireland SFC winners beginning their championship campaign in the US city.

With New York’s involvement in the Connacht SFC set to conclude after 27 years when Roscommon visit next April, the Exiles are looking to continue their participation in the provincial stage of the All-Ireland SFC in 2027 and beyond.

Burns wants the New York tradition retained. “That first round of the championship in New York is a very important part of what New York are about. They look forward to it, that’s their main economic driver as well.

“That agreement that they have with Connacht is starting to come to an end. Personally, I would like to see the All-Ireland champions go out and start their championship every year in New York. It would be a fantastic weekend for everybody.”

Originally from Kenmare, the idea of Kerry getting their championship under way in the Bronx is a tantalising one for Price. “Could you imagine the fanfare if Kerry were coming to town next April or in the coming years? Obviously, I’m a Kerry man so of course I would say New York would be a good place for the All-Ireland champions, but Dublin, Donegal, Derry, it wouldn’t matter.

“I think it would be hugely positive for the diaspora here. It's no secret that Connacht games here are not really about us winning. We have won (New York beat Leitrim in 2023 after extra-time) but it’s about celebrating the GAA here and if the uachtarán is willing to back the champions coming here, it would be great for it to happen.” 

Price readily admits it would be a huge fundraising opportunity for the board too. “Kerry are here this week organising a big golf outing in Long Island to raise money. I personally don’t have a problem with it or any board coming here and fundraising. The Kerry diaspora here is huge. The same for Donegal who have phenomenal support here. The champions playing here would be a great chance for us to raise money for developing the games here.” 

Price says the champions coming to New York makes sense as Munster are twinned with the USGAA (the North American board excluding New York), while Leinster are associated with Europe, the Middle East and Australasia while Ulster are paired with Britain and Canada.

Connacht have highlighted the growing outlay faced by counties travelling to the city every spring. “The reality is that it’s a significant cost to county boards to travel over every year in terms of flights, accommodation and so on,” said provincial secretary John Prenty in 2023. “And that cost has risen a lot since Covid, even with a (€50,000) grant from the Connacht Council.” 

Mayo were the first county to face New York in the Connacht SFC in 1999. The away quarter-final has been held annually save for the pandemic years of 2020 and ’21. Roscommon’s trip in 2026 completes the current rota.