PSNI and Gardaí clash at croker

IT finished in a landslide victory for the gardaí at Croke Park yesterday but the significance was not in the result but the fixture.

GAA headquarters has acclaimed many historic sporting moments over the last century, but there were fewer than 100 people there yesterday to witness one of its most symbolic. Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan and PSNI chief constable Matt Baggott were among the guests in the Hogan Stand for a first ever Gaelic football match at Croke Park between the two forces.

Despite a protest, security was discreet ahead of the game, won comfortably 4-17 to 1-6 by the Garda outfit.

However, the one photographer permitted to record the occasion was asked not to identify PSNI players for security reasons.

Incoming GAA president Liam O’Neill was joined by former GAA president and MEP Sean Kelly as well as Ulster Council secretary Danny Murphy, plus Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

Picture: The PSNI Gaelic Athletic Club team pose for a photo before the historic game with gardaí.