PSNI set for Sigerson Cup entry

Northern Ireland's police service could have their training college included in the draw for the 2005/06 Sigerson Cup.

GAA officials will convene at today's Croke Park meeting of the Comhairle Ard Odeachais to effectively rubber-stamp the historic move after weeks of negotiations.

An earlier proposal to admit the PSNI college was rejected at the last CAO meeting, but GAA President Sean Kelly expects the proposal to be ratified today.

If confirmed, it will be the first time since the ending of the GAA's Rule 21 - which prohibited members of the security forces in Northern Ireland from playing Gaelic Games - that police personnel from north of the border will take part in an official competition.

The PSNI are likely play under the team name of Garnerville Gaels. They previously played the Garda Síochána in a football match at the Westmanstown Sports Complex in Dublin on October 30, 2002. The first ever match of its kind finished in a 1-18 to 2-08 win for the Gardai.

A triangular tournament featuring the PSNI, Garda and the New York Police Department is planned to take place in Dublin next week.