Casement Park: Antrim football captain Peter Healy hopeful of playing at new stadium

Antrim senior football captain Peter Healy has welcomed the news that the long-waited redevelopment of Casement Park can proceed.

Yesterday, a High Court judge dismissed a challenge mounted to former Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon’s decision to grant planning permission for the redevelopment of the West Belfast GAA stadium.

Judicial review proceedings were issued by the Mooreland and Owenvarragh Residents Association (MORA) after Mrs Mallon announced her approval in July last year for a new £110m, 34,000-capacity stadium.

Legal challenge against 34,000 seat GAA stadium at Casement Park rejected

While there remains uncertainty regarding a shortfall in funding for the project, Healy remains hopeful that he’ll get to feature for Antrim in the new Casement Park.

“It is great news and, hopefully, it can finally proceed,” said Healy.

“It has been eight or nine years in the works now. I was lucky enough to play a few times there in U12 and U16 finals.

“Hopefully, they can get it built as soon as possible. I’ll have to stick around for a while to get the chance to play it in.

“I am 25 now. I’m not sure what the time-frame is, but I’d like to imagine I’ll get to play in it for a few years.

“Unfortunately, there will be players who will go through their entire inter-county career with Antrim without having played in Casement.

“It will be great to see it finally getting built and it will be brilliant to have a world-class facility in the heart of Belfast, in Ireland’s second city.

“Antrim have been waiting for that lift to come from Casement and, hopefully, it comes for the footballers, the hurlers, the ladies’ footballers and the camogs.”

The one major hurdle still to be cleared is funding for the redevelopment.

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