Casement Park redevelopment work finally set to start

The first steps towards the redevelopment of Casement Park will be taken next week, with Ulster GAA confirming it will start "necessary maintenance and pre-enabling works" on the site.

The venue - which will have a capacity of 34,578 upon completion - is among the venues for the 2028 UEFA European Championships, which will be co-hosted by the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.

The path towards the redevelopment of the ground - unused since 2013 - has not run smooth, with delays and rising costs. Ulster GAA has also been seeking a new developer for the rebuild since November.

Derry-based construction firm Heron Bros had been due to finish the redevelopment in west Belfast alongside English company the Buckingham Group. The Buckingham Group going into administration and the fact a decade has passed since the contract was awarded means that public contract regulations require a new fast-track procurement exercise to take place.

Pressure has been mounting to meet the UEFA deadline for the stadium's completion, but in a statement released on Thursday afternoon, Ulster GAA said: "Activity commencing next week, which will continue throughout March, will be focused on initial ground works and this will be followed by site clearance from April to June, including the removal of the old terracing.

"The Department for Communities (DfC) is leading the procurement of the main construction contract for the project through UK Government frameworks for major strategic infrastructure projects."

Ulster GAA Stadium Board Chairman Tom Daly added: "Commencing works on site has always been a crucial milestone for the redevelopment of Casement Park and we are looking forward to this exciting new phase of the project