Andy Moran: Leitrim were in NY in 2018 and it went right to the wire

Leitrim manager Andy Moran says his players are braced for a battle as they face New York in their Connacht opener in Gaelic Park on Saturday evening.

Five years ago, Leitrim survived extra-time in the Bronx, Shane Quinn and Noel Plunkett scoring points in injury-time to see them home by the minimum, 0-19 to 1-15.

New York, with a side boasting former Galway players (in either code) Johnny Glynn and Adrian Varley, were similarly competitive last year, drawing level with Sligo in the closing stages before a late burst of points from the visitors delivered a 1-16 to 0-15 win.

Leitrim have traditionally been spied as one of the more vulnerable Connacht outfits, from New York's point of view - extra-time was also required back in 2003 - and Moran notes that the side contains a few veterans from five years ago.

"Leitrim were here in 2018 and it went right to the wire. Noel Plunkett kicked the winner in extra-time," Moran told RTÉ Sport's Darren Frehill.

"That New York team had Jamie Clarke, Neil Collins, Tom Cuniffe and a couple of other stars. And this team is no different.

"It is a real funny game because five years ago when that Leitrim team was here, Keith Beirne, Mark Plunkett, Donie Flynn, Shane Quinn all played that day. We've about 10 from that team. They know about the trip, they know what it means.

"They know there's a huge Leitrim following coming over from Ireland. But also here in America, there's a huge Leitrim following. I don't think I have to tell them much about the occasion.

"They know this is going to be a right tough hard game. We were in London last year, a really tough game that went right down to the wire. We expect it to be the same on Saturday evening."

With 2017 Footballer of the Year Moran now in his second