PSNI GAA club facing uncertain future

October 07, 2019

A view of footballs. ©INPHO/Billy Stickland.

The PSNI's GAA club is on the brink of folding due to a lack of playing numbers.

PSNI GAC, which was set up in Belfast following the lifting of Rule 21, which banned British security forces from playing Gaelic Games, in 2001, has been unable to fulfil its recent football fixtures, while it hasn't fielded a hurling team in six years.

A source told the Irish News: "Moving into 2020, it is hard to see any future for the club. Many players intend to retire... many members of the committee will walk away due to the frustrations of regularly being unable to field a team and the lack of support from within the PSNI."

However, a PSNI spokesman refuted this when saying: "PSNI officers are encouraged to join the GAA club, as well as other sports clubs, within the service. The GAA club has seen an increase in support in recent years and continues to play matches against other blue light services and organisations."

News of the club's struggles come after the Northern Ireland police force placed full-page advertisements in this year's All-Ireland hurling and football final programmes to promote their upcoming 2020 recruitment drive. The ad also featured the Irish language version of the PSNI's "Keeping People Safe" motto "Ag Coimead Daoine Sabhailte".


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