Hurling & Camogie

Neil McManus calls on British Government to ‘step up to the plate’ over Casement Park funding

Antrim hurling legend feels GAA have been neglected in the past by northern government

at the launch of the Bord Gáis Energy GAA Legends Tour Series of Croke Park for 2024 is Antrim hurling legend Neil MacManus. After over a decade of partnership the Bord Gáis Energy Legends Tour Series of Croke Park returns once again for 2024 and includes a star-studded line up of Gaelic Games players. For a full schedule of the Bord Gáis Energy GAA Legends Tour Series of Croke Park and details of how to book a place on a tour, visit crokepark.ie/legends. Booking is essential as the tours sell out quickly. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
At the launch of the Bord Gáis Energy GAA Legends Tour Series of Croke Park for 2024 is Antrim hurling legend Neil MacManus. After over a decade of partnership the Bord Gáis Energy Legends Tour Series of Croke Park returns once again for 2024 and includes a star-studded line up of Gaelic Games players. For a full schedule of the Bord Gáis Energy GAA Legends Tour Series of Croke Park and details of how to book a place on a tour, visit crokepark.ie/legends. Booking is essential as the tours sell out quickly. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile (Sam Barnes / SPORTSFILE)

Former Antrim hurler Neil McManus has urged the British government to ‘step up to the plate’ and provide the outstanding funding required to rebuild Casement Park.

Clarity is needed shortly regarding funding streams in order for construction works to begin and for the ground to remain part of plans for Euro 2028.

The Irish government pledged 50m for the project in February while the Northern Ireland Executive had previously given a commitment of £62.5m with the GAA invested to the tune of £15m.

That is likely to leave a substantial shortfall with suggestions that the end figure for construction could rise to as high as £308m.

Diggers start pulling up the standing area of Casement Park in west Belfast. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN
Diggers start pulling up the standing area of Casement Park in west Belfast. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN (Mal McCann)

Preparatory works have begun on the west Belfast site though it was reported this week that UEFA are drawing up contingency plans in the event that the ground isn’t completed in time.

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Speaking at the launch of this year's Bord Gais Energy GAA Legends Tour Series at Croke Park, McManus said that it is a relatively straightforward issue for him.

“I’d take a step back from it and say that the long and the short of it is that there were three stadia promised, three stadia commitments made from the British government,” said McManus.

"One was Kingspan, one was Windsor and the other was Casement. They have to fulfil the third one of those, regardless of the European championships.

“There’s work going on at the minute, preliminary works are continuing as we speak. Obviously we’re waiting to see where is this money going to come from, the shortfall.

“I’m firmly of the belief that the British government should pay for it. They’ve promised three stadiums, they’ve delivered two of them, which leaves the GAA isolated on its own.

"Historically, we've been neglected by the government in the north, as a GAA community, and they should fix that.

24 April 2024: In attendance at the launch of the Bord Gáis Energy GAA Legends Tour Series of Croke Park for 2024 are, from left, Cork football legend Brid Stack, Bord Gáis Energy Director of Energy, Marketing & Data Catherine Lonergan, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Jarlath Burns and Antrim hurling legend Neil MacManus. After over a decade of partnership the Bord Gáis Energy Legends Tour Series of Croke Park returns once again for 2024 and includes a star-studded line up of Gaelic Games players. For a full schedule of the Bord Gáis Energy GAA Legends Tour Series of Croke Park and details of how to book a place on a tour, visit crokepark.ie/legends. Booking is essential as the tours sell out quickly. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
At the launch of the Bord Gáis Energy GAA Legends Tour Series of Croke Park for 2024 are, from left, Cork football legend Brid Stack, Bord Gáis Energy Director of Energy, Marketing & Data Catherine Lonergan, GAA President Jarlath Burns and Antrim hurling legend Neil MacManus. After over a decade of partnership the Bord Gáis Energy Legends Tour Series of Croke Park returns once again for 2024 and includes a star-studded line up of Gaelic Games players. For a full schedule of the Bord Gáis Energy GAA Legends Tour Series of Croke Park and details of how to book a place on a tour, visit crokepark.ie/legends. Booking is essential as the tours sell out quickly. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile (Sam Barnes / SPORTSFILE/SPORTSFILE)

"The GAA has been underwhelmed by the support that the government has given and there's an opportunity here for them to demonstrate that they do care about the Association and what it provides for so many of the people living in the north.

"Let's build Casement Park and show people that you care because you can talk but you also have to demonstrate things."

With Casement remaining out of commission, the Antrim hurlers will return to Corrigan Park on Saturday for their Leinster SHC Round 2 clash with Wexford.

Conceding 5-30 against Kilkenny last Sunday, and losing by 32 points, has dampened expectations ahead of the tie.

“It’s certainly not impossible but I think Antrim will be massive outsiders,” said McManus, who retired after last year’s Championship.

“I’ll go there with hope, for sure, and hope that every bit of luck available falls our way but I do think Wexford are very strong.

“I think there’s a lot of their panel who are at an age now where they know it could be their last chance of success this season or next season.

“Lee Chin, Dee O’Keeffe, Liam Og McGovern, Matthew O’Hanlon, Liam Ryan, that cohort of players.

“This is the last roll of the dice this season and next season for them in my opinion and they’ll want to experience a Leinster final again so that could be bad news for Antrim on Saturday to be honest.”