Two Northern GAA clubs vote to retain Rule 21

Two GAA county boards in the north have voted to retain the controversial Rule 21, which bars RUC officers and British soldiers from the GAA.

Although the figures have not been released, the Armagh board is understood to have voted in favour of the ban by a substantial majority and the Derry board by a convincing majority of one.

These two votes will come as a major blow to reformers within the GAA, who want to scrap Rule 21 because of the progress being made in the Irish peace process.

Explaining the vote in Co Armagh, the chairman of Crossmaglen Rangers, Eddie Hughes, said the club felt it was being asked to endorse a new police service that is still not operational.

Francie Brolly, the chairman of the Dungiven GAA club in Co Derry, said his colleagues feel sidelined and need more time.

Both men said the time is not yet right to change Rule 21.