BBC correspondent Tom Coulter: many feel the time is not right to lift the ban (1'38")

The cross-border Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), which controls Irish football and hurling, said the ban should only be lifted after restructuring of the RUC, as laid out in the Good Friday Agreement.

Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern and former Deputy Premier Dick Spring - a one-time top footballer and hurler - led the call for security forces staff to be allowed to play again.

Joe McDonagh: decision is no fudge

Mr Ahern has said the rule should be scrapped in the light of the new climate created by the Good Friday Agreement and the positive referendum outcome.

The change was also supported by leading figures in the GAA on the southern side of the Irish border - including Association president Joe McDonagh - but resisted by more hardline members of the body from Northern Ireland.

Afterwards Mr McDonagh denied the motion agreed by the conference amounted to a fudge.

'Committed to peace'

He said: "What was agreed here today was very much in keeping with other moves taken in the wake of the Agreement.

"The GAA remains totally committed to peace and reconciliation on this island."

There was no immediate comment from the Dublin government. But it was thought that senior ministers, headed by Mr Ahern, would be disappointed at the decision.

The ban dates back to 1897 when there were suspicions that British colonial security forces were trying to infiltrate the organisation.

RUC 'unacceptable' to GAA members

Apart from banning the "British armed forces and police" from membership, rule 21 also says "a member of the association participating in dances, or similar entertainment, promoted by or under the patronage of such bodies, shall incur suspension for at last three months".

In 1971, the GAA rescinded a ban on members playing so-called foreign games like soccer and rugby.

Many GAA members in Northern Ireland regard the largely Protestant RUC as unacceptable. They claim there has been a campaign of harassment and intimidation against them.

RUC reform is to be considered by a commission to be set up under the Good Friday Agreement. It will be chaired by former Hong Kong governor Chris Patten.