Those responsible for Casement Park rebuild failure ‘should hang heads in shame’

Those responsible for the failure to ensure that Casement Park will be rebuilt in time for Euro 2028 “should hang their heads in shame”, an SDLP MLA has said.

Justin McNulty, also a former All-Ireland winner with Armagh, said the UK government had “moved too slowly and showed no ambition” over the west Belfast stadium.

The UK government confirmed on Friday night that it will not fund the redevelopment of the derelict GAA stadium in time for the football tournament due to “a significant risk that it would not be built in time”.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announced the decision in a joint letter to UK communities minister Gordon Lyons.

The ground had been earmarked to host five matches in Euro 2028, being jointly hosted by the UK and Ireland.

The Irish Government and the GAA had said they would contribute to the redevelopment, but delays and spiralling costs created a funding gap.

Mr Benn and Ms Nandy said the cost of building Casement Park had risen “dramatically” from when the Euro 2028 bid was awarded in October 2023 and now – from £180 million to potentially above £400 million.

They said the risk of the GAA stadium refurbishments not being completed in time was partly due to a lack of building progress made during that time period.

The ministers also said that they were constrained by a Uefa requirement for all stadia to be ready a year before the tournament starts for “essential test events”.

With the UK government ruling out funding for redeveloping the stadium before the tournament, the prospect of Belfast hosting any Euro 2028 matches would appear to be over.

Mr McNulty said: “The team at Ulster GAA put in an incredible effort to try and get this across the line in time