MULLIGAN: WIN MEANT MORE TO US

EXPERIENCED Leitrim attacker Emlyn Mulligan said it was far more important for them than New York to win Sunday’s gripping Connacht SFC clash in the Bronx.

The 30-year old said he fully appreciated that a New York win would give a huge boost to the sport in the United States but he didn’t subscribe to the view that it would be better for Connacht or football in general if the Exiles were victorious.

“It’s hard on them but it’s important for us and we needed that more than they did.

“People were saying all week it’ll be great for New York but I don’t see that to be honest.

“We have green and gold blood running through us every one of us and no disrespect to New York them lads but some of them are over here for the summer on holiday visas and they don’t have the same passion we do.

“I think our young lads 19 and 20 year olds needed that and the whole county of Leitrim needed it because it would have been a big setback for us I think had we lost us,” said Mulligan.

The 30-year old, who has battled back from a third cruciate operation, feared they would become the first side to lose to New York in 20 meetings when they trailed by three points with five minutes of extra-time left.

But Brendan Guckian’s men came with a late flurry, got level in the final minute before defender Noel Plunkett kicked the winner in stoppage time to seal a 0-19 to 1-15 win.

“I kind of thought it was gone from us and I was waiting for the whistle and it didn’t know how long was left.

“But when we got the one back and there was two in it I thought maybe here is a chance. We had a goal chance when we could have finished it off before that but it was great to get the draw at that stage.

“And it fairness to Noel he made the space. No disrespect to Noel he wouldn’t