THE word is spreading. Gaelic football is starting to reach places "beyond its station - and another wall came tumbling down last Saturday when a "colours" match between England's two favourite educational establishments took place at a GAA ground near Oxford.

Under graduates from Oxford, who fielded a side consisting mainly of rugby players, and Cambridge competed in the history making match which, fittingly, ended in a draw: Oxford 2-6, Cambridge 1-9.

"It was decided not to play extra time because the heat was so excessive, explained Sam Wheeler, one of the instigators of the match and a member of the Cambridge team. "We decided to share the cup on this occasion, but there was tremendous enthusiasm and the match will now become an annual affair."

Gaelic football, obviously, has no tradition in the Oxbridge scheme of things. And, while Cambridge played four challenge games in preparation, it was their first occasion to play on a proper GAA pitch. Their previous outings had occurred on improvised rugby pitches.