Gaelic Games News: A Garda selection hosted a team from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in a Gaelic football game in Monaghan Army barracks last Tuesday, the gardaí reportedly winning 3-13 to 1-10.

The game - which went ahead despite protests by some local members of Sinn Féin - was a repeat of the first such fixture, last year.

There had been reports the game would be played in the grounds of the Monaghan Harps club but though a Harps source confirmed an approach had been made to the club, he said there had been no agreement.

A spokesman for the Army confirmed the game went ahead at the barracks.

Meanwhile, Monaghan's preparations for the forthcoming All- Ireland qualifiers received a setback this week with the news that team manager Colm Coyle has dropped full forward Raymond Ronaghan from the panel.

It is reported Ronaghan had not turned up for training since the defeat by Armagh, which is why Coyle applied the ultimate sanction.

Ronaghan's absence causes a problem in that he was the only recognised full forward, although Coyle does have options in Rory Woods and perhaps Paul Finlay.

Following Monaghan's decision to opt out of the B championship should they lose out in the All-Ireland qualifiers, it is feared other counties may follow suit.