GAA bullish over Casement Park redevelopment

The GAA remains confident that the development of Casement Park remains on track with the Antrim venue one of the host stadia for Euro 2028.

A redeveloped Casement Park in Belfast and the Aviva Stadium in Dublin are Irish venues chosen after UEFA officially approved the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales as Euro 2028 co-hosts.

Casement Park has been unused since 2013 but last year a legal challenge against a decision to grant planning approval for the redevelopment was dismissed and owners Antrim GAA are now hopeful of games being played in a revamped 34,578 capacity venue by 2025.

Stephen McGeehan, project manager for Ulster GAA, described the UEFA decision as a "monumental day for sport on this island" and insisted that the Casement Park project remains very much on course despite some financial concerns leading into the bid.

The rising cost of the rebuild is now estimated at between £110m and £160m, up from the £77m budgeted for in 2013.

The GAA has insisted it cannot afford more than its original £15m contribution but, in the absence of a Northern Ireland Executive, the UK government has indicated funding will be available, while Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also said his government would be willing to contribute financially.

"The GAA is delighted with the role we have made to make Casement Park available," McGeehan told RTÉ Sport.

"I've never been so confident that Casement will be ready in time. The impetus coming from the bid has been very helpful in moving the project along in the last number of months."

Talks with the Irish and UK governments will continue regarding the financial package.

McGeehan says "the GAA has always made a commitment that we won’t start that work until the full funding