Little was made this side of the Atlantic of New York's sterling performance against Galway in the Connacht championship and ever excuse under the sun as the Tribesmen failed to record their expected comfortable win over the Statesiders.

Selector and trainer of the New York team is Kill's own Justin O'Halloran and he speaks to this year's edition of the Breffni Blue, giving his thoughts on gaelic football in general and how he feels that a shock in the Connacht championship may not be too far away.
Galway travelled to Gaelic Park in New York earlier this year raging hot favourites to return to Ireland with a place in the Connacht semi final easily obtained. They did get their expected win, but not before they were nearly put to the sword by a hard working New York side.
The current economic recession that has gripped Ireland in the past 18 months to two years and Justin feels that has played no small part in the improvement in Gaelic football on the far side of the Atlantic.
"The recession back home would certainly have played its part as there are a lot more lads out here now than there has been for a few years now," said Justin. There are some exceptional footballers playing out here at the moment and it looks as if they are going to stay for the next couple of years, which will only benefit New York.
Justin revealed that Galway took the game too lightly and they almost paid the price. "It wasn't the warmest of days that we have experienced, and we were just after coming out of winter, so it was just as bad for us as it was for them.
"I also feel that moving the fixture to early May does not help our cause as it is very hard to get out and train on pitches before then given the climate here. We only had one challenge before the Galway game, which is far from ideal to be honest."
New York faced Mayo in the FBD final this year also and this was another match that the exiles could have won if they had a better start.
"For some strange reason we seem to be very slow starters in games and it's costing us. We got a disastrous start against Galway and much the same happened against Mayo. It is certainly something that we will be working on."
Having donned the New York jersey for many years, Justin turned his attention to training and selecting the side this year, working alongside Seamus Sweeney, who acted as manager and it is a role that he thoroughly enjoyed.
"I have to admit I loved it this year. I'd actually rather it than playing to be honest. Myself and Seamus worked very well together. I would know all the lads and to be fair I get good respect off them, which is very important. There are a great bunch of lads that are very committed."
New York are fixed to play Connacht champions Roscommon in the opening round of the 2011 provincial campaign and Justin admits that a big effort will be put in ahead of that match.
"We have both Down and Louth coming out so we will be playing them in challenges, while we hope to line up a few more games before the Roscommon match. From December, we will have the lads in the gym and as soon as we can get out on a pitch, we will start doing some ball work. With the players that we have at the minute, I'd be confident that we can cause an upset sooner rather than later."
The club scene within New York has also benefited from the influx of new players and this year's championship produced a very high standard. Seamus is still plying his trade on the field and although having played with the Kerry club this year, he is to return to the Cavan club for 2011.
"I've played for Stanford (winning a Junior, Senior and Senior B), Westmeath, Cavan and Kerry over the years, but I'm going back to Cavan for one more year before I finally hang up the boots. There are nine senior clubs here now and it's very competitive, which is great to see."
Justin also revealed that there is a huge amount of work being done at underage level to ensure the safe future of Gaelic football in New York.
"I wouldn't be involved with the underage much myself, but there is a great work being done with them and some of the clubs have excellent numbers. There is a good interest in football out here and hopefully that will continue."
Having played for Kill at all levels and indeed for Cavan at under-16, minor and under-21, while also winning an Ulster Vocational schools, Justin like so many others of the time decided to head abroad and 17 years later he remains in the Big Apple.
"There wasn't much work around when I was leaving and I wanted to travel anyway, so decider to go. I'm happy enough out here and once I'm involved in the football, it makes it all worthwhile."
Justin is married to Lisa and has three children, twin girls Ella and Carolyn (4) and son Rory (2). Justin owns and runs O'Halloran Construction, a building firm that employs 45 people and specialises in the development of new homes as well as renovation work.
"We are busy enough at the moment. So all in all things are good out here. Hopefully, we can get the footballers in top shape for next year and who knows what we can achieve." 
 
 
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