The North American County Board, which represents the whole of America outside of the New York metropolitan area, has launched a dramatic bid for inclusion in the All-Ireland senior football championships.

If their application is successful it could see the unprecedented sight of a New York team being forced to take on a North America side in a preliminary match before entering the Al-Ireland championships.

In recent years New York has played in the Connacht Senior Football Championship, where its skilled performance has given serious concern to visiting Irish teams.

But now the New York team may have to fight for its right to compete in Connacht if a North American team is eventually sanctioned.

The County Board proposal is expected to be on the agenda at the annual North American GAA convention later this year, and it could be at least 2013 before a North America side participates in the All-Ireland senior championship.