Ulster GAA monitor situation amid financial issues for Casement Park partners

Ulster GAA have said that they remain committed to work beginning on Casement Park in early 2024 despite one of their joint venture partners filing a notice of intention to appoint administrators.

Buckingham Group, who are also involved in the current redevelopment of the Anfield Road stand at Liverpool's Anfield Stadium, announced on Thursday that they had stopped trading amid "rapidly escalating contract losses and a sharp reduction in liquidity".

The company said that it was exploring options to sell parts or all of the business after filing a notice of intention to appoint administrators, but added that they "emphasise the Company is currently not in Administration".

Main contractors Heron Brothers Limited and Buckingham Group Contracting Limited were awarded the contract for the design and construction of the new stadium at Casement Park.

The original investment back in 2013, with the Northern Ireland executive committing £62m, was £77m with the money being provided as part of a wider package of stadium development covering soccer's Windsor Park and rugby's Ravenhill. The GAA also agreed to a £15m investment.

"We remain fully focused on work commencing on site early next year."

Both the soccer and rugby venues were completed years ago but a series of issues have delayed the Casement project with the cost of construction now expected to be substantially over £100m.

Last year a legal challenge against a decision to grant planning approval for the redevelopment was dismissed and Ulster GAA are now hopeful of having games played there in late 2025 with the venue also included in an initial list of potential grounds for a joint Irish and UK bid for EURO 2028.

"Ulster GAA is aware of the news reported yesterday that the