Speaking at yesterday's launch of the Connacht Championship, Burke says it is vital to have London and New York involved in the Championship.

"Some people would question our involvement with the overseas units and their participation in the Connacht Championship," he said.

"I want to emphatically state here today, and it is out of no sense of travel on mine or anybody else's part that I say it...I think it is crucially important that we are involved with our emigrants and that we give them a place in our association that has meaning."

Burke admits that it is for far more than just the playing of games that the participation of New York and London should continue, and that he witnessed the benefits first hand in New York last weekend.

"Anyone that was in New York at the weekend, and to see the sense of occasion, to witness the communication, to witness people meeting people and the sense of joy from young people across the province and indeed across Ireland that were present for those games and what it meant to them," he explained.

"They travelled across the States to be there. They wanted to meet the Leitrim players, they wanted to meet other comrades.

"They found it necessary to travel for a fulfillment and for a job in life, and I do think it is important that we hold that link, we do go forward and we do everything to support them.

"We were very proud as a province to put on a referee coaching course, a coaching skills course and a club officer development course while we were out there.

"With that kind of support I have no doubt that New York and London will go from strength to strength.

"I think it is really important that we continue to support, accommodate and drive them forward, because it creates a sense of 'Irishness' out there for them."