Tiernan Mathers relishing another bite of the championship apple with New York

"Gaelic Park is an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city"

The words of native New Yorker Tiernan Mathers when speaking about that venue in the Bronx. On Easter Saturday evening, Mathers was introduced as a sub in extra-time as New York went toe-to-toe with Leitrim at Gaelic Park. The prize of a place in a Connacht semi-final was up for grabs, with New York, after 22 previous attempts, seeking a maiden championship win.

The drama ratcheted up during the subsequent penalty shootout. Mathers was among a number of players who failed to convert from the spot, but crucially his team-mate and fellow US native Mikey Brosnan, held his nerve to slot home the decisive kick. Cue wild celebrations as darkness fell, with New York GAA finally getting the victory they craved.

A fortnight later, the New York squad were on Irish soil taking on Sligo. There was no fairytale at Markievicz Park. On a day when Benbulben was partially hidden behind a subborn mist, the visitors were no match for their hosts.

Still there was that evening to savour against Andy Moran's side.

Speaking to the media ahead of New York's Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-final against Carlow, Mathers was still basking in the afterglow.

"To get over the line against Leitrim was massive," he said. "We've been in the competition for over 20 years and to finally get that win took some amount of pessure off our shoulders.

"It was so special after the match, the flood of kids, something we had neve seen before. We had a night after the match where all the younger kids came up to meet the team. To inspire the youngsters, espcially as an American born player, that means a lot, not just to us but as a community here.

"We enjoyed the win and enjoyed the couple of days after. We