By Eugene Kyne

LAST Wednesday night in the heart of Manhattan at Rosie O’Grady’s, the New York GAA held a major fundraiser for its development of Gaelic Park.

The home of the Gaels in New York, located at 240th Street and Broadway in the Bronx, is undergoing a huge facelift whereby the natural grass will be no more, with state of the art field turf replacing it. The venue will also have flood lights, which will allow for it to be used four nights a week by the GAA.

The games that were previously played at Van Cortlandt will now be accommodated at the Mecca. All junior games will now join the senior games on the new turf.

A welcomed visitor to the fundraiser was New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn with her father Larry. She was recently welcomed to Croke Park while visiting Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day, and she spoke of the fantastic welcome she received in Ireland and remarked that she was looking forward to the GAA in New York meeting with her office to discuss possible ways for the city to get involved in the development.

“Gaelic Park is not just a sporting field, it is a cultural center,” Quinn said. “I want to make sure that city taxpayer dollars are contributed, as the Irish have contributed so much to us.” A meeting between the GAA and Quinn’s office is tentatively set for early April.

Nickey Brennan, the president of the GAA in Ireland, also took time out of his busy schedule to attend the fundraiser on Wednesday.

“A number of false dawns happened in New York over the years, but this development is moving forward and it will put New York back on the GAA map,” Brennan said.

“There has been a huge history and love affair with Gaelic Park for the Irish. I consider it to be the center of the GAA outside of Ireland.”

It was a tremendous night for the GAA, but still work is to be done as they strive to have the field ready in time for the Sligo versus New York Connaught Championship game on Sunday, May 13, and the club season ahead.