The new format of the All-Ireland Championship and Tailteann Cup is based on the assumption of New York taking part in the latter, although there is a contingency plan in place.
In light of the Exiles’ historic win over Leitrim on Saturday night, there is a real chance that Johnny McGeeney’s side could qualify for the Connacht final and thus reach the knockout stages of the Sam Maguire Cup.
Recently-crowned Division 4 champions Sligo – who defeated London on Saturday – will have a thing or two to say about that in the provincial semi-final of coure.
Nonetheless, it is undoubtedly a possibility to consider.
Should they lose, the Big Apple bypass the group stages of the Tailteann Cup and enter the second-tier championship at the preliminary quarter-final stage. This is largely down to reducing the number of games in light of travel costs.
No such luxury would be extended to them in the Sam Maguire Cup, however. Should New York defeat the Yeats County, they would participate in a four-team All-Ireland Championship group. Of course, that would mean one extra county would be needed to make up the numbers for the 17-team Tailteann Cup.
Therefore, the ‘B’ Championship would consist of three four-team groups, and one five-team group in that scenario. The extra fixtures associated with the five-team group would cause the knockout stages to be delayed.
There will be significant focus on the team ahead of their showdown with Sligo in two weeks’ time.
New York travel to Markievicz Park for their semi-final meeting with Tony McEntee’s side on Sunday, April 23. One of Galway, Roscommon or Mayo will await the winner in the decider.
