The Connacht Council has contributed €50,000 towards the cost of Sligo's trip to Gaelic Park for Sunday's Connacht SFC opener against New York.

That's a 30 per cent increase on the grant that was made available to Roscommon when they travelled to the Bronx last year. The figure also includes a contribution from the New York county board.

Connacht Council chairman John Prenty explained to the Irish Daily Star: "Last year we decided to renew the commitment (to accommodate New York in the Connacht SFC) for another five years. We are happy enough with it.

"We are the only province that has two overseas games. We don't take the gate from New York or London - that's our contribution to being twinned with those two areas. That's our decision.

"If you add it up, there is no doubt Connacht Council are making a significant financial contribution. It's a big day out over there." Tweet

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