Historic GAA move paves way for PSNI to play

CROKE Park chiefs will make history today by rubber-stamping moves to allow the North’s police service into GAA competition.

A third-level colleges committee is expected to sanction the PSNI’s entry into this season’s Sigerson Cup football competition for universities.

It is the first time since the abolition of GAA Rule 21 in 2002 that the North’s security personnel will take part in GAA competition.

GAA president Sean Kelly said last night he expected the proposal to include the PSNI’s training college to be ratified at today’s Croke Park meeting of the Comhairle Ard Oideachais. He has already met the Ulster Council and PSNI representatives on the matter but the motion was rejected at the last CAO meeting.

“We cannot discriminate against anybody on the basis of career choice, and I welcome the prospect of them playing Gaelic games. It is all part of the process of inclusivity in modern Ireland,” he said.

Meanwhile, GAA may be good for the soul, but its bad for the heart, according to figures on the number of fans who suffered heart attacks on match day. In the past two years, the quest for All-Ireland glory has proven too much for 12 spectators. Emergency staff ensured all survived.

With 80,000 fans to flock to Croke Park for tomorrow’s Kerry-Tyrone clash, GAA headquarters is arguably one of the safest places if someone takes ill.

Seven doctors and a specialist heart ambulance will be on standby tomorrow while 100 staff are trained in the use of defibrillators dotted around the stadium.

Dr Joseph Galvin, consultant cardiologist at the Mater Hospital called for defibrillators to be available at all sporting venues.

GAA spokesman Feargal Magill believes lives have been saved because the machines were used promptly.

Meanwhile, thousands of GAA fans from the North received a welcome boost with the news their road to the All-Ireland finals will be thrown open early. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern ordered the early opening of the M1 Dundalk Western bypass.

The move means shortened journey times for fans travelling from Tyrone and Down.