Losers to NY to get second bite of apple

GAELIC GAMES NEWS:THE CONNACHT Council have succeeded in securing one slight adjustment to the senior football championship format for 2011 – with potentially significant implications. Up to now, the losers of the annual away game to New York in the first round were not entitled to a place in the All-Ireland qualifiers, but this has been changed to allow that, thus avoiding any slightly embarrassing early exit for the county involved.

Galway were very nearly upset in New York at the start of this year’s championship, requiring a late goal to ultimately secure their 2-13 to 0-12 victory. But they were hard pushed all the way, even though New York played the last 16 minutes with 13 men. Had Galway lost that game their summer would have been over – as they were not entitled to a place in the qualifiers.

It’s Roscommon’s turn to make the trip to Gaelic Park next May, but they can travel a little less nervously in the knowledge that even if they do lose, they will be entitled to a place in the qualifiers.

The Connacht Council submitted this adjustment to the championship to this weekend’s meeting of Central Council, where it was approved. It will be implemented from the 2011 championship and beyond.

It also means if Roscommon, or any future travelling county, do lose to New York then an extra round – to be known as the preliminary round – will be necessary in the All-Ireland qualifiers. Typically there are 16 teams in the first round of the qualifiers, but this would increase to 17 if the losers of the New York game were to be included. London will continue to participate in the qualifiers as usual, win or lose in their opening championship match next year against Mayo.

The issue of bringing New York into the qualifiers was also discussed by the Connacht Council in recent weeks, but agreement was reached that they wouldn’t be, mainly because New York themselves didn’t want it.

“It was discussed at some stage,” said Connacht Council secretary John Prenty. “But then New York themselves said they didn’t want to participate.”

Part of the problem there is that if New York had to travel home for a qualifier game then there could potentially be some immigration issues around members of the team. But there is also the fear that New York could draw a strong team in the qualifiers, and thus make the trip home largely worthless.

The sometimes fractured state of New York football was reflected over the weekend when Mayo made the trip Stateside for the Connacht FBD League final, played on Sunday at Rockland’s new GAA facility. Although the teams were level at 0-6 apiece at half-time, Mayo pulled away with ease after that to win 0-19 to 0-7.

New Mayo manager James Horan didn’t make the trip as he is preparing his club Ballintubber for the Mayo county final on Sunday week, against Castlebar Mitchels.