It would have been the greatest upset perhaps in the history of Gaelic games, but when New York closed to within one point of powerful Galway in the second half at sun drenched Gaelic Park, (pictured),yesterday it looked like a fairy tale could come true.

Then as dramatically as the impossible beckoned it all fell apart with New York suddenly committing two unpardonable personal fouls on Galway players and having two players sent off in a scrappy and foul ridden second period.

The thirteen man team struggled on valiantly and,incredibly, were still only two points behind with minutes to play but then the two extra men advantage really came to roost in the final moments and Galway pulled away.

A last second goal gave the scoreline a much more flattering view from the Galway point of view and they ran out winners by 2-13 to 0-12.

Every year New York are the sacrificial lambs in the Connacht championship, allowed to play one of the five other teams in the province in the kick off for the All Ireland championship.

Almost every year the game is little more than an exhibition, with the team from Ireland soon proving its superiority.

Not this year though.

New York played like their lives depended on the outcome and despite conceding an opening few minutes goal to Galway matched their vaunted opponents throughout the field.

At half time they were a single point behind and for the first time ever Irish New Yorkers in the packed bleachers began to ponder the imponderable.

What if this new York team continued to play like this and defeated Galway?

Then unfortunately came the rush of blood to the head for a few players and New York were suddenly two men down and hopelessly outnumbered.

The fact that they fought on so bravely is a testament to them and their management who made all Irish New Yorkers who follow Irish games proud.

A packed stadium at Gaelic Park in The Bronx cheered the time to the heights at the end

And there is always next year.