This weekend end is an historic one in the Connacht GAA . Both Home and Away Finals of the FBD Connacht League will be played in New York. This innovative development comes after the 2005 Home final of the FBD Connacht League turned into an epic encounter. The teams from NUIG and GMIT couldn't be separated after two games and extra time. It was a classic exhibition of what a strong sporting rivalry should be and was a great credit to all the players and the coaching staff who had prepared them. The Connacht Council in association with FBD Insurance Ltd decided to reward both teams by fixing the replay for Gaelic Park on Saturday 9th October at 4pm. The winners will play New York in the Away Final on Sunday 10th October Two years ago the Connacht Council made an innovative decision to include third level colleges in the competition and these games highlighted the benefit of their decision. Ray Storan , Regional Manager West FBD said " that they are delighted to be involved in bringing these footballers to New York where one of the teams will go on to play New York in the Away final.If these games match the quality of the March encounters in Pearse Stadium, then the progress of Gaelic football in the West will certainly be on an upward path." Tommy Moran, President of Connacht GAA Council has said that the decision to replay the FBD Home Final between NUIG and GMIT in Gaelic Park, New York will have far reaching and positive effects for the promotion of Gaelic Games in the Province. He said that over 50 players from the 5 Connacht counties will travel to New York this week and will play the third replay of the Home Final in Gaelic Park on Saturday with the winners playing holders New York in the Final on Sunday. He paid special tribute to Regional sales Manager FBD, Ray Storan for his commitment to the FBD Insurance League. John Prenty, Secretary of Connacht GAA Council said that he was delighted that the commitment of NUIG and GMIT to the promotion of Gaelic Games in the province was being rewarded by this trip to New York. He emphasised that many of the players on both panels had already made the breakthrough at inter county level and were some of the most prominent players in their counties. He praised the work of the Development Officers in each college, Damian Curley in GMIT and Adrian Hassett in NUIG who are doing sterling work in promoting Gaelic Games. He also paid tribute to Ray Storan and all of the staff in FBD for their commitment to the promotion of Gaelic Football in the province, through the FBD Insurance League Damien Curley 0f GMIT said " that GMIT Football Club are delighted to get the opportunity to travel to New York to replay the Connacht FBD League Final. We appreciate the gesture afforded us by the FBD and the Connacht Council to bring both teams to the "Big Apple", and we hope to provide an entertaining spectacle for lovers of the game over there. All our travelling party are looking forward to this unique opportunity, as this is the first time that third level teams have played in the final of this competition, and to play it in New York really adds to the occasion. Great credit is due to all the organisers involved, on both sides of the water, and we hope to do the competition justice." Adrian Hassett of NUI Galway said that " It was an excellent gesture from the competition's sponsors, FBD, and the Connacht Council, both colleges have now the appealing trip to New York to decide the destination of the Connacht League trophy. NUI, Galway will boast the talents of Mayo's Conor Moran and Dermot Geraghty, Roscommon's Micheal Finneran and Gary Cox. Daniel McDermott, (Westmeath), Kieran Kennedy, (Wexford), Dara Blake, Eoin Curtin, (Clare), as well as Gary Sice, Fiachra Breathnach, Micheal Killilea, who were all members of the All-Ireland winning Galway U-21 team, will all be players that NUI, Galway will be looking to this weekend." Both Colleges are bringing very strong teams . The NUIG Panel is as follows: Alan Durcan, Barry Kelly, Brendan Guckian, Breandan O' Callaran ,Kieran Kennedy, Dermot Geraghty,Conor Moran, Daniel McDermott, Dara Blake, Darragh Donnelley, David Donnellan,Diarmuid Griffith,Donal Feeney, Eamonn Towey, Eoin Curtin, Eoin Deffley, Fiachra Breathnach, Gary Cox, Gary Sice, Ger Ahearne, Hughie McClafferty, Ian Kilbride, Joseph Malone, Kevin Costello,Michael Finneran, Micheal Killilea, Niall Kilmartin, Oisin Kelly,Ronan O' Reilly ,Senan Kilbride and Stephen Drake The GMIT panel is as follows : Brian Daniel O'Donoghue,Matthew Flannery,Alan Burke Richard Feeney, Paul Geraghty, Ger Heneghan, Aidan Kilcoyne, Brian Darby Niall Meenaghan ,Geoffrey Claffey , Padraig Moran , Jarlath Egan, Darren Mullahy, Patrick Regan,John Paul Steede, Enda McManamon, Aidan Geraghty, Joseph Meehan, Micheal Feeney, Damien Healy Padraic Flesk, Raymond Doyle, Barry Butler , John Mellet ,John Joseph O'Dea George Clancy and Barry Prior Tweet

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