Dr. Cathal Cregg, Provincial Coaching & Games Manager with Connacht GAA, has confirmed to IrishCentral that the 2024 Connacht GAA Senior Football Championship quarter-final match between New York and Mayo will take place on Sunday, April 7 after reports emerged that the match will take place the first weekend of April.
Joan Henchy, Chairperson of the New York GAA, told IrishCentral on October 25 that The Exiles are looking forward to the game on April 7, as well as welcoming the “amazing” Mayo fans to New York again.
“Open round of the championship is a very special day for all of us here in New York,” Henchy told IrishCentral.
“While we are aware of the task ahead playing Mayo, we will be prepared and look forward to the challenge ahead.”
Mayo last played New York in The Bronx in May 2019. While spectators donned ponchos as rain dumped on Gaelic Park, Mayo cruised to a victory of 1-22 over New York's 0-4.
The 2024 matchup returns to a Sunday fixture after New York played Leitrim under the lights of Gaelic Park earlier this year on Saturday evening, April 8.
The 2024 Connacht GAA Senior Football Championship
Seven counties will compete in the 2024 Connacht Senior Football Championship: Mayo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Sligo, and Galway, as well as the senior GAA football teams in New York and London.
The draw for the 2024 Connacht GAA Senior Football Championship, which was made on October 21, dictates that the winner of the New York - Mayo quarter-final match will take on Roscommon in the semi-final.
The winner and runner-up of the Connacht GAA Senior Football Championship progresses directly to the 16-team All-Ireland Group Stage of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.
New York heads into its match against Mayo next year with its first-ever Connacht GAA Senior Football Championship win under its belt after the American side beat Leitrim in a thrilling match that went to a penalty shootout.
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The Connacht GAA Senior Football Championship Quarter-Final match is typically a huge weekend for the Irish community in New York, as well as for fans in Ireland, many of whom fly over for the occasion. While Gaelic Park itself is usually standing room only for the match, the nearby Irish / Irish American neighborhoods of Woodlawn and Yonkers are abuzz with excitement for the weekend.
Gaelic Park, meanwhile, continues its massive redevelopment project. Earlier this year, the home of the GAA in New York received a €500,000 boost from the Irish government.
Announcing the funding in March, Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs said that the $6.2 million Gaelic Park project has received $2 million from Croke Park and that the €500,000 contribution from the Irish government will enable the project to meet its projected completion date of March 2024.
Upon completion, the redevelopment in Gaelic Park will include a fully furbished function room, catering facilities, medical office, two development offices, and downstairs changing rooms.
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