New York look forward to their day in the sun

Twenty weeks after it was due to be played - and seven weeks after the conclusion of the hurling championship - this Sunday sees Ulster at last staging its provincial final.

The puzzling delay is the result of the difficulties that faced opponents New York, who upset Down in the Ulster semi-final back on May 21st to earn the date with Antrim - but then found themselves unable to travel to Casement Park for the scheduled final on June 4th because of immigration concerns for certain players.

After long negotiations, it was agreed the final could be played this Sunday in the Canton area just outside Boston, as the curtain-raiser to the Interprovincial football final between Leinster and Connacht.

A 41-strong Antrim travelling party flew to Boston yesterday morning, while the New York panel will make their three-hour road trip north tomorrow.

It's a game that will definitely make history on two counts - and possibly three.

It marks New York's first final, it will be the first Ulster hurling title to be decided in Boston, and also presents New York with the chance to win their first provincial title.

New York board chairman Séamus Dooley, who led the campaign that ensured Antrim eventually agreed to travel, is clearly looking forward to the occasion - win or lose.

"The team has trained very well under manager Monty Moloney," he explained, "and been back together since the last weekend in August. It's a huge occasion for us, and I've been getting a huge amount of inquires about the game, how to get there, and so on.

"I expect we'll have a few thousand people heading up there on Sunday, to take in the football game as well, so it should be a great weekend for the GAA in this part of America. And I have to thank the Antrim County Board again for agreeing to play us on this date."

Dooley was a little less enthusiastic about New York's chances of winning. "If you'd asked me that when we were due to play back in June I would have said 50-50.

"I always said we deserved to beat Down in our semi-final and the team was playing very well then. But because our games finished up here in early August I don't think the team is going quite as well.

"And it's the opposite for Antrim, whose club championship only finished last weekend, which means most of their players will still be in top shape. But I'm not saying we're going up there without giving ourselves some chance."

Antrim are seeking their fifth Ulster title in succession, and 46th in all, and will start as clear favourites - with manager Jim McKernan careful to avoid any complacency.

New York also boast some experienced hurlers, including veteran Tipperary player John Madden who is part of their 26-man panel.