PSNI GAA team in first gardai win

The McCarthy cup is named after an RUC officer who was in the GAA

The PSNI's Gaelic football team have beaten their counterparts in the gardai for the first time.

In the fifth annual game between the two police services, the PSNI team won the match, by 15 points to eight.

Speaking in Dublin after the game, PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Paul Leighton described the victory as "historic".

Members of the security forces were barred from playing hurling and football until the GAA scrapped its controversial Rule 21 five years ago.

Mr Leighton added: "This has been a great result for our Gaelic footballers and is just reward for the time and effort they give."

The McCarthy Cup is named after Thomas St George McCarthy, a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary who was one of the founding members of the GAA in 1884.