THE IRELAND police rugby team, comprising members of the Garda and PSNI, went down gallantly to their counterparts from Britain at Newforge in south Belfast yesterday.
The Ireland team, kitted out for the first time in their new green and black colours and sporting a new badge, lost by 24 points to 18 to their counterparts from England, Scotland and Wales in front of police bigwigs such as PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott and Garda Assistant Commissioner Kieran Kenny.
This was the third game between the two teams and Britain now has a 2-1 lead over Ireland. Ireland lost the first game in 2009 in Dublin but defeating Britain in London last year.
Early next year the Irish team will play the French police team the day before the international XV take on France in Paris.
PSNI Chief Insp Tim Mairs said there was always a “lot of pride at stake” in such encounters but nonetheless the gardaí and PSNI and their supporters focused on the positive yesterday.
Everyone agreed that what was important was the strength of the relationship between the PSNI and Garda and how this sporting link-up was a manifestation of that co-operation.
The game was played as the PSNI celebrates its 10th anniversary. “We were keen to hold the game around this time of year. It is very significant for us that we are playing in our new shirts and with our new
badge,” added Chief Insp Mairs, who in his day was a second row forward.
The badge incorporates the symbols of the four rugby provinces with the surrounds from the Garda crest on the inside and the PSNI crest on the outside.
Mr Kenny, who is responsible for policing the Border area, said yesterday was a special day for both the Garda and PSNI.
“Rugby has always been an all-island sport and the relationship between the two police forces is very strong,” he added.
The Ireland police team is sponsored by New York Stock Exchange Euronext, which has set up in Northern Ireland, and Co-Operation Ireland, whose chief executive is former PSNI assistant chief constable Peter Sheridan.
Mr Sheridan said the Ireland police squad symbolised the benefits of increased North-South co-operation.
“Rugby has always been a unifying sport, particularly in Ireland where one team represents the whole of the island on the international field.
“Here the sport is being used as a vehicle to further the relationship between our two police forces, breaking down barriers and promoting greater understanding and respect,” he added.
While off the pitch the talk was very sporting and encouraging, on the pitch it was tough and physical. Against a powerful
wind and an equally strong
British scrum, Ireland stayed in touch in the first 40 minutes, just seven points behind when the half-time whistle blew.
However even with the wind they couldn’t claw back the deficit and must wait another year to seek revenge.
