Northern Ireland

GAA statement slams ‘missed opportunity’ on Casement Park that will prompt ‘considerable regret’ in years to come

Organisation is now seeking ‘urgent meeting’ with NI Secretary Hilary Benn over previous pledges to fund stadium

The UK Government has said it will not fund the redevelopment of Casement Park in time for Euro 2028
The British Government has said it will not fund the redevelopment of Casement Park in time for Euro 2028. (Niall Carson/PA)
By Paul Ainsworth

The GAA has said the decision by the British government not to fund the new Casement Park stadium in time for Euro 2028 will be one “our entire society will look back on with considerable regret”.

The organisation said the north not hosting matches in the tournament is a “missed opportunity”.

Confirmation that London would not be funding the long-awaited project was announced on Friday evening.

The decision was outlined in a letter to Stormont communities minister Gordon Lyons from Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn and UK culture secretary Lisa Nandy.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn leaves Downing Street, London, following a Cabinet meeting. Picture date: Tuesday September 3, 2024.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn. PICTURE: JORDAN PETTITT (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

They said the cost of building the GAA stadium had risen “dramatically” to potentially over £400 million.

The GAA, Stormont and the Irish government have all pledged funding towards the project.

Soccer governing body UEFA had awarded the UK and Ireland the Euro 2028 bid last October, with Casement Park named as a host venue alongside Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, and grounds in Britain including Wembley Stadium in London and Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

Mr Lyons said the decision not to fund Casement was partly due to London’s concerns the new Casement would not be built in time, along with the rising cost. He said the British government had determined the project would not be “value for money”.

Gordon Lyons said no ‘funding package was currently in place for Casement Park
Stormont communities minister Gordon Lyons. PICTURE: BRIAN LAWLESS (Brian Lawless/PA)

The decision has prompted disappointment and anger, with First Minister Michelle O’Neill saying the north was now missing out on “a unique opportunity to create jobs, boost tourism, and showcase our island’s sporting talent on the global stage”.

SDLP MLA Justin McNulty, meanwhile, said the blame “lies solely at the feet of government who have moved too slowly, showed no ambition and now we must pay the price”.

In a statement, the GAA said they are now seeking a meeting with Mr Benn to discuss his previous “firm commitments” that the new stadium would be built.

They also said a new Casement Park stadium, which will be the home of Antrim GAA, will eventually become a reality.

“Confirmation that Belfast will not be hosting the UEFA EURO 2028 Championships is a missed opportunity and it is one that our entire society will look back on with considerable regret,” a spokesperson said.

“Ulster GAA has taken every possible step to keep the project on track for the UEFA Euro 2028 Football Championships. This included investing over £4m in critical aspects of pre-enabling works in anticipation of the procurement of the new main contractor.

“On his appointment to office the Secretary of State, Hilary Benn on behalf of the British Government gave firm commitments that Casement Park will be built, a commitment also given by his predecessor. We have sought an urgent meeting with him to agree next steps.

There are plans to redevelop the derelict GAA stadium in west Belfast
Clearance work had already begun at the derelict Casement Park ahead of the hoped-for confirmation of British government funding. PICTURE: LIAM MCBURNEY (Liam McBurney/PA)

“Casement Park will be built, and we will work with all partners to ensure that the promises made by the NI Executive over 13 years ago and within successive Programmes for Government, to deliver on the strategic stadia need of the GAA in the province and in Belfast, Ireland’s second city, are fulfilled.”

They added: “As we continue to work towards the delivery of the new Casement Park which will host Gaelic Games at all levels, and be a community hub for west Belfast, we would like to thank Gaels throughout Antrim, Ulster and Ireland for their patience, commitment and unwavering support for the project over many years.”