Roscommon’s trip to New York earned them a serious wad of American dollars

Well worth the spin over.

Roscommon GAA may have had a close shave on the pitch, but things could not have gone better off it for the Sheep Stealers at the weekend. The Connacht outfit began their quest for All-Ireland glory with a narrow one-point win over New York in the Bronx on Sunday night. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/726899165133942784 However, the game was almost the smallest activity planned on a hectic four-day excursion to the Big Apple by Roscommon supporters and 'Club Rossie, the county board's fundraising arm. Several events were hosted while in Manhattan, and the feature was an event with almost 400 guests, including Chris O'Dowd, held in the American Irish Historical Society, 5th Avenue last Thursday. The comedian and actor was among several guests present, and the highlight was perhaps his story about how current county boss Kevin McStay rated his football talent. While in New York, Roscommon GAA also announced that their new training centre in the county will be named in honour of the late Dermot Earley. The late footballer's family were on the trip, and to aid in the development in Runnabracken, the county board has announced that the visit to New York raised in excess of €300,000. America is proving a fertile ground for milking cash out of GAA supporters and the Kerry county board last year secured €1 million from a tri-state trip to New York, Chicago and Boston. That jaunt featured several previous All-Ireland winners wandering around New York, and Mick Galwey and Eoin' The Bomber' Liston eating cones. https://twitter.com/EoinListon/status/602915737649487872 https://twitter.com/EoinListon/status/602952927288889344