Cavan supporters across the Northeast of the United States will have a rare chance to see their heroes in action when the Breffni men visit New York in early April.
A two-legged encounter at Gaelic Park will decide the winners of a special memorial trophy honoring Mick Higgins, the New York born captain of the Cavan team that won the 1947 All-Ireland football final at the Polo Grounds in Manhattan, which was itself a commemoration of the Irish famine.
Cavan will use the trip as a training camp ahead of their Ulster SFC opener against Monaghan with the games against New York taking place on Thursday April 9 and Sunday April 12.
New York will be in the midst of their own preparations with the visit of Galway for the traditional Connacht championship opener which falls just three weeks later on Sunday May 3.
New York manager Ian Galvin has welcomed what will be an invaluable opportunity to offer his panel some much needed playing time.
"I'm delighted we get to send out our players against top opposition like Cavan," said Galvin.
"We will be playing Boston a week after the Cavan game so those ten days will be huge for us.
"Cavan be coming to New York with a huge following on this side of the Atlantic and they are a county with a fantastic tradition.
"I'm very grateful to the Cavan County Board and to Terry Hyland in particular for facilitating this visit. I'm also appreciative of the support from our own County Board and from the Cavan County Association in New York."
New York chairperson Laurence McGrath said both games would be a memorable occasion for the New York GAA and for the Cavan NY Gaelic Football Club in particular who are celebrating their centenary this year.
"Cavan's ties with our County Board go way back," acknowledged McGrath who recently took over as New York chairperson.
"The 1947 final was an incredible occasion for all of the Irish in New York and it is fitting that the teams will be honoring Mick Higgins through playing for a trophy named after him."
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who has roots in Cavan, will be the guest of honor on the day and will be handed the ceremonial throw-in prior to the start of the second leg.
Fans of Cavan are expected to arrive in their droves both from the New York area as well as from further afield in Boston, Philadelphia and from Cavan itself from where there is expected to be a strong traveling contingent.
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