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The New York team before their 2012 clash with Sligo. Ed Mulholland/INPHO
Big Apple

New York GAA chairman 'disappointed' in Liam O'Neill's comments over future of the US side

The GAA President yesterday raised the possibility that New York may cease to participate in the All-Ireland senior football championship.

NEW YORK GAA chairman Liam Bermingham has questioned the timing of comments made yesterday by GAA President Liam O’Neill which cast doubt over their future participation in the All-Ireland senior football championship.

Bermingham said that casting even a small level of doubt on the week of New York GAA’s centenary banquet in Queens was an unfortunate decision.

And even more so, he added, given the hard work being put in by Ian Galvin and his senior panel ahead of the game against Mayo.

“I’m certainly disappointed by these comments,” he said. “The players have been putting in a lot of effort and we very much appreciate the hard work they have put in. To say the least, the timing is poor.”

Bermingham also pointed to a successful structure at minor board level and expressed confidence that this would continue to prove a vital outlet for the New York Irish.

Bermingham and the New York County Board acknowledges that the president was not advocating New York should be removed from intercounty football entirely and welcomes praise of the “significant developments” in the Rockland and Shannon Gaels GAA clubs.

Liam O'Neill 24/3/2014 GAA President Liam O'Neill. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

GAA President-elect Aogán Ó Fearghail will be in New York this weekend to help the New York county board celebrate its centenary banquet however there are no plans to officially raise any concerns out of due deference to the Connacht Council.

“There are no plans to discuss this with the president-elect,” pointed out Bermingham. “First and foremost, this is a conversation that must be had with the Connacht Council in the appropriate forum.”

As regards a potential GAA World Championship, Bermigham noted: “That’s a concept we are not in a position to give full consideration given many of our own players’ difficulties with immigration. If it were to be played in the US, we’d certainly look at it closer but it’s not a concrete idea by any stretch.”

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