Laura Colgan OUR VOICE IN NEW YORK New York side are chasing GAA-lory
BUT FANS ARE LOSING OUT
NEW York GAA are again chasing the Irish American Dream.
The footballers take on Mayo in the Connacht championship clash at home in Gaelic Park on Sunday.
New York won a championship game for the first time ever last year - after joining the tournament in 1990 - and are looking to continue their winning streak.
The Exiles won against Leitrim on penalties in a nail-biting game.
Captain Johnny Glynn said support from the crowd and “belief in what we could do” is what got the team over the line.
The celebrations, over 30 years in the making, were mighty. You’d have been forgiven for thinking, in fact, they won the championship on home soil.
Deliver
ahead of Sunday’s throw-in. Gaelic Park in the Bronx, which has a capacity of just 2,000, will be filled.
The sell-out so far in advance wasn’t anticipated and loyal and long-serving fans, who have only ever bought tickets at the gate until now, are among those who have missed out.
Which is what makes it all the more frustrating that Irish ex-pats can’t watch the game for free. There’s no way to watch the clash other than to buy a ticket to see it in person or stream it via GAAGO.
Gaelic games belong to fans, at home and abroad, and are an iconic identifier of our
SELL-OUT: Gaelic Park in New York
And the fact New York were knocked out after losing to Sligo at Markievicz Park in the next game was quickly forgotten about.
They’re now contenders and under pressure from a home crowd to deliver another stellar game.
Watch
country.
Putting big games behind paywalls is no way to reward fans, volunteers and grassroots players for their dedication in a volunteer-led organisation.
Subscription services, dodgy wifi and poor connections also mean GAA fans miss out on seeing their county play. If Irish people continue bringing our national sport around the world, their fans and followers need to be able to show their support for free.