New York GAA Signals Willingness to Adapt Connacht SFC Match Format Amid Rising Costs
NEW YORK – New York GAA is exploring potential adjustments to its annual Connacht Senior Football Championship fixture as the financial burden on visiting teams continues to escalate. Officials acknowledge the current cost of travel and logistics – estimated at €250,000 per county – is “way too much money” and potentially unsustainable.
The annual match, a tradition since 1999 when Mayo first faced the New York Exiles, is considered ”absolutely crucial” to the preservation and promotion of Gaelic games and Irish culture within the large Irish diaspora in New York. According to Connacht GAA Chairman Liam Price,”New York is a hotbed of immigration for the Irish and has been for 200 years,maybe even longer.”
Price indicated openness to various solutions, including potentially facing the winners of the Tailteann Cup instead of a traditional Connacht team. “Anything will be explored,” he stated. “We’re very happy with the current arrangement and we feel it’s a good fit for us…We’d love to explore ideas with visiting teams as if they’re spending €250,000 to come out here…we could help them save €50,000 to €70,000.”
new York GAA also offered assistance with fundraising efforts for visiting teams.The Connacht Council currently provides an annual grant of €50,000 to travelling teams, but Price suggests New York GAA could contribute to offsetting costs if counties agree to participate.
While acknowledging the appeal of a potential match against the All-Ireland champions, Price expressed concern about the motivational impact on New York players. He highlighted the economic benefits of the fixture, citing a crowd of 6,300 for this year’s game against Galway and its importance in bringing the Irish diaspora together.
New York famously defeated Leitrim in 2023 after extra-time and penalties. Price emphasized the association’s commitment to continuing the fixture, stating, “We just want to keep going. We want to try and do it right. And we want to stay involved.”
